Elmhurst Artists' Guild celebrates 75 years of promoting the arts
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Elmhurst Artists' Guild, which was founded in 1946 by Eleanor King Hookham and 11 other artists from the Elmhurst community.
Their mission was to provide exhibitions, workshops, and lectures to encourage and promote the advancement and development of the arts. Since that day, the Elmhurst Artists' Guild membership has grown to 135 artists and patrons of the arts, including 10 lifetime/honorary members and eight Elmhurst Art Museum staff members. The guild draws its members from Elmhurst, the Chicago suburbs, and even other states.
The Elmhurst Artists' Guild Gallery is located in the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave. The gallery is free to the public and open during regular museum hours.
As a member of the guild, artists have opportunities to show their work in four shows annually, as well as in many local businesses throughout the community.
It has been a challenging year with closures due to health risks, but the guild has adapted with board member meetings held on Zoom and member shows being available virtually. You can find the Elmhurst Artists' Guild on Facebook and Instagram or on its website, elmhurstartistsguild.org.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, members met on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. The meetings provide a social and educational experience for members. Typically, artists demonstrate their technique and share their process and artwork with the membership.
But with current health restrictions, meetings have been put on hold. We look forward to a time when we can meet again and welcome any new members.
The first member show of 2021 wrapped up April 10. The winter show featured more than 40 works of art - from paintings to sculpture and photography to polymer clay.
The spring member show continues to May 22. It features a vibrant mix of artists who work in a variety of mediums, including watercolor, acrylic, wood block, sculpture, clay, digital, mixed media, and colored pencil. Show hours are noon to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.
Some interesting happenings through the Guild include:
• A call for artists to enter a September juried show of art inspired by Frida Kahlo and the College of DuPage's summer exhibit, "Frida Kahlo: Timeless."
• The Elmhurst Artists' Guild teen board member is curating an exhibit of art from local teens that will be a coloration with the Elmhurst Art Museum. This exhibit is planned for 2022.
• Volunteer opportunities to be a docent in the gallery, as well as other ways to be involved.
Robert Bunda, EAG president sums it up the best.
"For the formally trained or self-taught, the Elmhurst Artists' Guild continues the mission started 75 years ago by Eleanor King Hookham by providing a welcoming environment that is open to anyone who loves art," Bunda said. "If you are interested in becoming a member, please visit the website."