Come out and shop at 'A Walk in the Park' art fair
The Arlington Heights Art Guild's 52nd annual "A Walk in the Park" fine art fair is just that - a place to spend your Sunday strolling under the shade trees while enjoying all kinds of art, food and music.
It will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at North School Park, 410 N. Arlington Heights Road, in Arlington Heights. Admission and parking are free.
This year there will be more than 90 vendors, with 30 of them new to the show. These creative people, all with interesting and unique designs, hail from six states.
Among the items for sale this year are handmade sea grass hats from a Florida vendor. Another artist, new to the fair, uses silverware to create jewelry, wind chimes and more.
Don't know what to do with your vintage and old costume jewelry? There is a new artist who makes picture frames and home decor with them. You'll hear a lot of "my mom or grandma had that pin or earring" coming from her booth.
Other items available for purchase at the fair will include ceramics; woodworking; fiber art, including purses, totes, clothing and toys; whimsical birdhouses; a variety of jewelry, candles and soaps; as well as photography and framed art in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink and colored pencil.
New entertainment this year includes Jack Wilson, an accomplished guitarist from the Chicago area who will perform at the north end of the park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. He is the first-place winner of the 2016 International Finger style Guitar Competition, considered the Olympics of fingerpicking.
Food vendors will be in the center of the park, so you won't have to go far to enjoy lunch or a snack. New this year is Taquizas Ernesto with a taco cart, who will join the two other favorite food vendors, Mellie's Chocolates, with sweets and treats, and Hubby's Dog House, with a hot dog cart.
Lynell Ingram, a gifted graphic artist and illustrator, will demonstrate her fine art techniques. Her work can be found in many galleries throughout the Chicago area. Stop by booth #51 to watch and learn as she creates her art in mixed media and answers questions.
Art students from Northwest Suburban High School District 214 will have a tent on the east side of the park. Last year the students brought a variety of items to sell, including ceramics, jewelry and framed art.
The Arlington Heights Art Guild supports these students by giving scholarships to the top three art students who enter their work to be judged in a contest held every March.
The money raised from the sale of booth spaces at "A Walk in the Park" goes directly to the scholarship fund in the amounts of $1,000, $750 and $500. Donations are accepted at the art guild's information booth.
Visitors will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite artist from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the information table on the north side of the park. At 4 p.m., the Arlington Heights Art Guild will present the winner with the People's Choice Award certificate and prize.
The Arlington Heights Art Guild welcomes new members who share an interest and an appreciation in all areas of artwork. Stop by the information table during the fair or visit arlingtonheightsartguild.com.