Festival of Arts celebrates 50th anniversary in Glen Ellyn
Visitors at the Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts this weekend can admire art, buy it, watch it being created and even try their hand at making their own.
The juried fine art show will bring roughly 70 artists together on the shores of Lake Ellyn, where they'll exhibit their sculptures, pottery, glassware, paintings and photography, said Randy Poole, event chairman and treasurer of the Glen Ellyn Lions Club.
“We have people coming from Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin,” he said.
Illinois artists will be in the mix as well, including a contingent from the DuPage Art League who will demonstrate their techniques.
“At least five of our teachers will be painting,” league President Kay Wahlgren said.
Wahlgren said urban sketcher Wesley Douglas will be there, as will Marge Hall, who specializes in oil painting; Stan Danielson, who works in watercolors; and Margaret Bucholz, who works in colored pencils.
Wahlgren also will be on hand both days to demonstrate watercolor techniques for both beginners and more advanced artists.
“I paint on my lap. Finishing a picture quickly in an hour and a half in class is what you have to do,” said Wahlgren. “It's a beautiful setting at Lake Ellyn.”
Wahlgren said she welcomes questions from visitors as she paints.
“Sometimes they're aspiring artists. I'm even going to let people paint a little bit,” she said.
Poole said several of the other artists also will demonstrate their craft.
The festival will feature live music — mostly jazz and folk — under the pergola on the boathouse patio.
Ron Miceli will perform both days, each with a different band. On Saturday, it's the Blue Buddha Band, and on Sunday it's the Red Room Quartet.
Saturday afternoon's bill will include Dean Milano and Glen Ellyn's Grope, Poole said. Roger Kotecki and Friends will play Sunday morning.
The event is an annual fundraiser for the Glen Ellyn Lions Foundation.
“The money gets used for a variety of things,” Poole said. “We do vision screenings and give glasses to residents and students who attend Glen Ellyn schools.”
New this year, the Lions Club will provide hearing screenings in a bus at the festival site.
Several food vendors will offer a variety of festival fare and there will be a beer and wine tent, Poole said. And the show will go on unless extreme weather intrudes.
50th annual Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24 and 25
Where: Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn
Admission: Free
Info: <a href="http://www.FaceBook.com/GlenEllynFestivaloftheArts">www.FaceBook.com/GlenEllynFestivaloftheArts</a>