Nearly 50 juried artists appeared at the 14th Brushstrokes & Beats: Mundelein Arts Festival over the weekend at Courtland Commons.
“It’s very nice, and I like the way it’s laid out,” patron Alice Martin of Northbrook said about the festival.
The Mundelein Community Connection and the Mundelein Park and Recreation District presented the free event.
“The Mundelein Arts Festival is truly a community event,” said festival founder and event chair Christa Lawrence, who is also director of marketing and communications for the Park District. “Each year, it brings together Lake County residents as visitors, volunteers and participants.
“The festival consistently draws large crowds to enjoy the work of 49 talented artists, most of whom come from Lake, Cook and McHenry counties, she added. “Lake County is home to many talented artists, supported by a strong arts community and customers who truly appreciate fine art.
“The Mundelein Arts Festival is proud to be part of this rich culture,” Lawrence said.
A large tent featured student artwork from Mundelein and Carmel Catholic high schools.
Lawrence said that each year, the festival awards $2,000 in scholarships, with $1,000 to each school, benefiting up to eight students interested in pursuing art. The Kirk Players, a community theatre company, also sponsors a $500 emerging artist award.
There were several Lake County exhibitors representing art communities, such as Waukegan and Gurnee.
Fused-glass artist Jeanne Chase of Vernon Hills started making glass art about four years ago upon retiring from teaching and is mostly self-taught after taking an art class.
“I love doing it,” Chase said. “It’s a hobby.”
She sells at Lake County shows and by word of mouth outside of marketing online.
“Lake County, in general, is interested in art,” Chase said. “I do very well in Libertyville. I did well here. I did do well in Highland Park … (at the) Lake County Fairgrounds. You know, people are looking for those unique things that they can’t just get anywhere.”
Chase sells usable glass art such as vases. Some work is seasonal to reflect the holidays, like a “Jack of All Trades” orange jack-o’-lantern round platter priced at $80.
Chase’s Vernon Hills neighbor Mary Lu Halperin purchased a tray design with black and white piano keys from her.
“I have a baby grand piano sitting in my living room,” said Halperin, who hopes to play piano regularly after taking lessons. “I really need to work at it.”
Chase joked that Halperin should, “put (the tray) on her piano for tips.”
Elyse Landsman of Vernon Hills received hugs from Max and Teppi Jacobsen of Highland Park, formerly of Vernon Hills. Teppi Jacobsen is a ceramics artist.
“She’s very creative,” Landsman said of Teppi Jacobsen. “She’s very passionate, (and) loves what she does. Teppi’s been trying all kinds of different things and she’s not afraid to experiment.”
Petia Zellner of Hawthorn Woods showed jewelry art in a booth also staffed by the artist’s 8-year-old daughter, Sofia.
“We love it,” Zellner said about the festival. “Everyone’s very kind, the community is great and there are a lot of amazing artists.”
Lisa Russakov of Mundelein purchased a barn picture. “I just like to come to these craft shows because you get unique items,” she said. “It’s not something you see in a store; it’s somebody’s hard work.”
Performance artists Maggie & Mark, comprised of Mundelein married acoustic duo musicians Mark Kahn and Maggie Dewar, appeared on Saturday afternoon.
After their final set, Mark Kahn said of Lake County, “We have a very artistic community.”
Maggie Dewar agreed, saying, “We are very lucky to live in Mundelein, where the arts are so well-supported.”
