Anyone check out either the art fair at the lake, or the chalk drawing downtown?

We went to the lake around 3:30. Seemed more "arts and crafts" than "fine art." Was that the aim? Because I thought it compared pretty unfavorably to - say - Geneva's recent show.

The pastels on Main Street were kinda neat. We didn't get there until 4:30 or so. Was anyone there earlier? Must have been quite a few people to make all those drawings. I hope it drew a lot of people downtown who spent money at the local businesses. Especially to outweigh the effect of having Main Street blocked off.

Oh yeah - the hands are off the flower clock again!

MAN was it hot!

next year, may I suggest that the art fair be on main north of the tracks? Businesses would benefit, the small artist turnout would look larger, and the 2 events would be closer together.

That art show has been in that park for as long as I can remember. I believe that came first?.? I could be wrong. I think the Art in the Park -(Festival of the Arts) Lake Ellyn- was usually an isolated show. I'm not familiar with what Madonnari is. I appreciate the art showing being where it is. I've just come from the Highland Park one -Port Clinton and like I've said before, it stinks they are always on the same weekend. I'll try to get to the Glen Ellyn one tomorrow - Sunday. It appeared that several of the tents at the Port Cliniton one were in differfent spots and several 'downtown' business were closed due to the show, for whatever reasons, I'll never know. I have a feeling the retail people in that town didn't want the 'tents and art crowds' by their stores so the tents were moved. Just a guess. Sounds like our old cruise nights and IT'S demise...

Madonnari was great and we got to chat with a number of other BB members who were there. Kudos to the folks that pulled it together.

BlueEchoes I believe that the Madonnari's location was due to Tap House being a sponsor, I could me wrong and if so I'm sure one of my fellow BB'ers will correct me.

It was nice to see and chat with some fellow BB'ers tonight. This was a nice event and a beautiful evening to enjoy the village we call home.

Was the band playing Main Street a last minute thing, or was it typical Glen Ellyn/CBD "No Notice, No Advertising...No Attendance"?

As I was walking downtown with my lady for a quick drink we noticed a decent blues band playing next to the flower clock on Main. All sorts of chairs set up to watch... but hardly anyone there. A few spillouts from THG smoking outside and a few oldsters sitting in the chairs. Other than that... NADA. Except for the PADS guy in front of Soukups blowin an imaginary harmonica.

I wish I could've stayed for the evening but my son had a game (and they won). Looked like a decent crowd. Saw Candidate for the short time I was there.

I'll hit the Art Festival at the lake again tomorrow. There were some nice items and a good variety of photographers. The reality is that most artists - like, the ones that make paintings - can't sell much at these events because their pieces are so expensive. There was one artist in particular whose work I really liked. Blue Echoes, 90% of the photography was not nearly as good as yours. You should have had a booth!

Thanks Amy.

There was one photographer out there that I really liked, and all his stuff was under $95. Timothy Johnson was his name. Excellent color, well picked out photographs, and very nice frames that were all pretty much the same. He probably had 40 photos that he brought. Most of the time, if you bring too much, people give up finding something they want to buy, if they want to buy it. Also, some people feel the need to bring every photograph they have ever taken, good and bad. All Timothy's work was top of the line and no clunkers, all cropped and nicely presented. He had nothing that looked worn, as in it looked like it has been to 100 fairs and never sold. His stuff looked fresh and new, not worn, faded from the sun, or dusty. Hope Timothy did well, his work was easy the best photography out there. Wish he had a website so I can look at more...

I did buy a couple of photos from Reid Barkley. He had the super-close-up/macro photos of flowers. He also had some nice seascapes and a few more abstract pieces. Did you see his stuff?

All in all, a nicely balanced art fair, I thought. Crafts, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and paintings....

While at the fair today, I was told 400 artists participated at Saturday's event on Main Street. My family was part of that, and I have to say we had a fantastic time! We got there around 1:30pm, starving as we had not had lunch yet. We went directly to Tap House's setup outside. After the guy asked me if we were drawing and I replied yes, he then informed me their food was free for those participating. Great surprise.

Next, we were drawing on the street, and 2 people who were running everything walked around constantly checking on people, letting us know what was going on. At 3:00, free pizza arrived for the artists.

The music was great while we were drawing and it made it so much more fun.

The only complaint my husband and I, along with about 10 other adults we were there with, had was that the alcohol should have been allowed on the street by 4:00pm. With the sun and music, we were just in the mood to sit and drink outside.

Today I was a little disappointed in the art fair by the Lake because several artists I usually see at there did not come back this year. However, the Smoothie guy was a great addition!

I think they are on the right path in creating these events. It was so fun and I heard people wanting to come back next year. Good job!

I always enjoy the Art fair. The location is perfect. It's relaxing to stroll through the fair in the shade of the trees-the general atmosphere. The street drawing on Main added to the weekend-one day at the park and another on Main.

I was unable to attend the Glen Ellyn Festival of Crafts this year. Is it accurate that there were only 20 or so crafters this year?

I would say that is a fair estimate, maybe 30? 4 people I talked to last year said they would not be back this year and they stood by their word. Two were fantastic photographers that I was hoping to see again. Neither had a card or website that I could find in their booth, so I will probably never see their stuff again.

On another note, here is the best photographer I have seen at the art fairs in this area:

http://www.scottfishmanphotography.com/

Very nice guy as well. He will be at Oak Brook mall this weekend, go check his stuff out.

Actually, I forgot to mention, Scott is a great photographer, but he is in fact that 2nd best photographer I have seen at art fairs in the area. The best is a guy named Walt Anderson and he teaches at Morton Arboretum. Great photographer, greater guy. I wish he had a website so you can see his work. Brilliant nature photographer. If you do a google search for him, you will find he invented a few photography tools, but you cannot find a photo he has taken on the web unfortunately. Walt, if you do a search for yourself in google and this thread comes up, go to www.bludomain.com and get yourself a website!

I like to search Glen Ellyn on Flickr. It keeps me visually in touch with my home town. Someone has posted some pictures from this event and I see some room for improvement. Check out these images from The Italian Street Art Festival in San Rafael.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=italian+street+art+festival+san+rafael&page=6

This is not intended as a "we are better" posting. I am sure there are many talented artists in DuPage that can hold their own against California artists. This is just to comment on the canvas given to the artists.

A few days before the event the streets are closed and given a fresh coating of black tar. Huge rectangles are lined off and sponsored by local businesses. This year a whole block was given over to a recreation of the Sistine Chapel. A section is also given over to kids to express themselves.
I contrast that with the small squares marked off with duct tape on patches of faded asphalt that Glen Ellyn had and know you guys can do better.
Even so, I'd like to see more photos of the GE event as those on Flickr seemed to highlight only one artist's work.

Yes - I missed my little metal guy from Michigan. He said he probably would not come back and he didn't. I bought a lot from him. He had the first spot, outdoor stuff, brighly painted with car/clear coat finishes. God's Creations. I'll have to look at my check. I hope I can find him on the internet as I need some more of his stuff for gifts. He said no one was buying -(except me?)

quote:

Originally posted by lupechennel:
He said no one was buying -(except me?)

Anyone ever tell you that you have bad taste? It could explain this.

My neighbor claims he counted 22 booths this year....including the six that were strangely located on the other side of the boathouse. He said I would have really enjoyed the guy who made pencil holders out of sticks. Not kidding.

quote:

Walt, if you do a search for yourself in google and this thread comes up, go to www.bludomain.com and get yourself a website!

Alas, the sample websites they had only worked 50% of the time with Firefox...