Adler Center hosts new 'Young Blood' exhibition for Libertyville Fine Arts Month

The David Adler Music and Art Center is partnering with the village of Libertyville for a new art exhibition and open mic night from 4-5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. "Young Blood" will feature the work of artists under age 19 and is part of the village's annual Fine Arts Month and National Youth Art Month.

Students from Mundelein High School will kickoff the open mic event and gallery party at the Adler Center, at 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. The event is free and open to all Fine Arts Month participants, families, and community members.

Participating youth artists hail from Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, Zion, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Beach Park, Round Lake and Wildwood and range in age from 6 to 17. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best in each category. Participants may register through the end of February.

"This is the first year we've invited performance artists to participate in the Adler Center's youth art exhibition," Exhibitions Coordinator Beth McKenna said. "We're looking forward to a louder youth art month and lots more music and spoken word performances for this year."

Fine Arts Month occurs each March in the village of Libertyville and features public exhibitions of student art at the Adler Center and Cook Memorial Library. The annual festival, curated by the Adler Center, will also feature a community drum circle, and a series of concerts and musical performances by young people.

Other Youth Fine Arts Month Events include:

• Community Drum Circle: 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, St. Lawrence Church, 125 W. Church St. Bring a drum, or just your dancing feet. Free. Facilitated by Helen Bond of Motherland Rhythm Community-Benkadi Project and Medusa's Musical Mysteries.

• ArtEffects Exhibition: Opening Reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 7, on display until March 30, Cook Memorial Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. A library-wide exhibit of art by District 70 students. Opening reception features performances by the Highland Middle School Strolling Strings and Show Choir.

• Flutopia Four: 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 8, The David Adler Music and Arts Center. Enjoy the classical and contemporary stylings of the Flutopia Four flute ensemble. Tickets at www.adlercenter.org

• Yarnstorm Club: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, The David Adler Music and Arts Center. Knit and natter, crochet and chatter with the group that brought you Libertyville's popular yarnstorm.

• Jazz Concert: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, Libertyville High School, 708 W Park Ave., Libertyville.

• Baroque to Baby Concert Series: 11 a.m. to noon, Friday, March 15, The David Adler Music and Arts Center. Concert series for the preschool set featuring a new instrument each month. Family tickets available at www.adlercenter.org.

In 2018, Village President Terry L. Weppler proclaimed March to be Youth/Fine Arts Month in the village of Libertyville in order to "promote awareness of Fine Arts in our village and celebrate the contributions of our residents engaged in music, theater, dance, film, painting, drawing, sculpting, graphic and interior design … and all forms of fine artistry which enhance our human experience."

The David Adler Music and Arts Center, reflects the legacy of North Shore architect David Adler by making music and the arts an integral part of everyday life. Its year-round activities are designed to foster engagement and achievement in the arts for the people of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.