St. Charles Fine Arts Show is the best it can be
By Annie Alleman For Sun-Times Media May 24, 2012 9:40AM
St. Charles Fine Art Show
♦ May 26-27
♦ Riverside Avenue between Main Street and Illinois Avenue, St. Charles
♦ Free
♦ (630) 513-5386
Downtownstcharles.org /fineartshow
The St. Charles Fine Art Show returns for its 14th year in downtown St. Charles.
The two-day show features the work of more than 100 juried artists in various mediums, said Lynn Schwartz, executive director at the Downtown St. Charles Partnership.
“There’s watercolor, oil, sculpture, photography, jewelry, fiber, ceramics, wood and glass — a nice variety of art,” she said. “It’s a really nice quality art show.”
The award-winning show is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on Riverside Avenue between Main Street and Illinois Avenue. It is held rain or shine, and there is free parking in the city lots.
“We have live music going on outside on the patio at River Rockhouse (formerly Chord On Blues),” she said. “We have a feature tent featuring the work of four Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame artists. They’ll be selling their work as well.”
New this year will be free trolley tours of downtown St. Charles.
“People can get on the trolley and there will be a docent providing information about the different historical locations that people go, and they can get off at five different stops. So they can explore downtown, stop and have lunch or go in different shops. Then it takes them back to the fine art show. It’s a great opportunity for people to explore the downtown more.”
The show has an excellent reputation both among attendees and artists as a well-run show, she said. Therefore, not much has changed in 14 years.
“The artists really love the way that it’s run, and really feel that the St. Charles community is very welcoming to them,” she said. “So a lot of pieces do remain the same.”
The show has grown over the years in terms of artists, she said.
All art is for sale, and there is a purchase award program. If people pledge to spend a minimum of $250 during the show among any artist, they are invited to a preview party to see a sampling of the artists’ work.
“That is something that has been an ongoing program and it really helps attract the top quality artists we have each year.”
Bands include The Andy Schlinder Trio, Small Potatoes, Dennis O’Brien and Ellus Bellus on Saturday; and Mark Prieve, Sheryl and Tom, Chris Madsen Jazz and Last Night’s Fun on Sunday.
