Annette Dezelen of Lake Forest admires the creations of Milwaukee-based artist Christine Plicha, whose art has evolved into a practice that includes digitally scanning her original nature-based oil paintings onto fabric to create silk scarves and garden flags. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
Beyond the summer trend of mass-market art fairs, a unique small-town art show centered on the vision of local artists.
The Artists on the Bluff Summer Arts Festival took place on the Village Green in downtown Lake Bluff on both Saturday and Sunday, a 26-year tradition that still holds to its original mission.
Remy Dobbins 4 yearsold, Olivia Evans 5 years old, and Reese Hrusovsky 3 years old, all from Lake Bluff, design original Father’s Day cards during the Artists on the Bluff, Summer Arts Festival in downtown Lake Bluff, an intimate, juried, fine arts show this weekend, featuring the work of 29 seasoned and locally-based artists, along with live music, local food trucks, and art activities for the kids. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
Artist, Christiane Bouret of Skokie, creates an impromptu watercolor of the Artists on the Bluff, Summer Arts Festival in downtown Lake Bluff on Saturday, an intimate, juried, fine arts show this weekend, featuring the work of 29 seasoned and locally-based artists, many from Lake Bluff, and all from within a 100-mile radius of the event. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
A patriotic view of Market Square in Lake Forest, oil painting by Lake Forest artist Jerry Gundling, as shown during Artists on the Bluff, Summer Arts Festival in downtown Lake Bluff, an intimate, juried, fine arts show this weekend, featuring the work of 29 seasoned and locally-based artists, many from Lake Bluff, and all from within a 100-mile radius of the event. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
Mixed media artist Erin Whalen shares her piece ‘Etude for a Dreamer’ during the Artists on the Bluff, Summer Arts Festival in downtown Lake Bluff, an intimate, juried, fine arts show this weekend, featuring the work of 29 seasoned and locally-based artists, many from Lake Bluff, and all from within a 100-mile radius of the event. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
Lake Bluff artist Kay Wolff shares her interpretation of the vintage charm of the Lake Bluff Business District during the Artists on the Bluff, Summer Arts Festival in downtown Lake Bluff, an intimate, juried, fine arts show this weekend, featuring the work of 29 seasoned and locally-based artists, many from Lake Bluff, and all from within a 100-mile radius of the event. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
Artist, Lucinda Troester of Libertyville shares her painting of an approaching storm over Butler Lake behind Libertyville High School. Artists on the Bluff, Summer Arts Festival in downtown Lake Bluff, an intimate, juried, fine arts show this weekend, featuring the work of 29 seasoned and locally-based artists, many from Lake Bluff, and all from within a 100-mile radius of the event. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
Artists on the Bluff, Summer Arts Festival in downtown Lake Bluff, an intimate, juried, fine arts show this weekend, featuring the work of 29 seasoned and locally-based artists, many from Lake Bluff, and all from within a 100-mile radius of the event. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
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Remy Dobbins 4 yearsold, Olivia Evans 5 years old, and Reese Hrusovsky 3 years old, all from Lake Bluff, design original Father’s Day cards during the Artists on the Bluff, Summer Arts Festival in downtown Lake Bluff, an intimate, juried, fine arts show this weekend, featuring the work of 29 seasoned and locally-based artists, along with live music, local food trucks, and art activities for the kids. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)
Summer Arts Festival director Alison Tompkins says this year’s intimate, juried, fine arts show featured the work of 29 seasoned and locally based artists, many from Lake Bluff, and all from within a 100-mile radius of the event.
The Summer Arts Festival was free, featured fine art both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with live music, local food trucks, and art activities for the kids.
“It’s especially important for our Lake Bluff community to share in what local makers are creating, and important for our artists to connect to this audience,” Tompkins said.
The artists’ work is unique and often locally inspired, showcasing watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, pastels, sculpture, photography, pottery, collage, wood-work, mixed media, jewelry and more, Tomkins says.
Artist Christiane Bouret of Skokie participated in this weekend’s festival.
“The Artists on the Bluff show is less commercialized than many area art fairs _ here the artists drive the medium and have the freedom to create work true to their vision, rather than work based on what will sell,” Bouret said.
Pencil artist Phil Schorn also participated.
“This is one of those hidden gem shows, very talented artists with excellent work, and just the right size show,” Schorn said.
Matt and Katie Frekko of Lake Forest attended Artists on the Bluff Saturday and say it has become something of a social community gathering for them.
“The show feels small and intimate, easily digestible, with an assortment of artists and a sampling of contemporary artwork that doesn’t feel overwhelming,” Matt Frekko said.
Annette Dezelen of Lake Forest says she has been attending the Lake Bluff arts festival annually since it began.
“I like to experience the work of our local artists, many of whom have become neighbors and friends over the years; this is a show where you’ll always find a one-of-a-kind treasure,” Dezelen said.
