Wheaton Art show offers graffiti artist, too
By Kathy Cichon For Sun-Times Media June 14, 2012 10:46AM
Art in Bloom Fine Art Festival
♦ June 16-17
♦ Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
♦ Admission included in $5 parking
♦ (630) 668-5161
www.cantigny.org
Among the watercolors, photographs and sculptures visitors will find at the Art In Bloom Festival this weekend, they will also find an unexpected medium on display.
For the first time, Cantigny Park’s annual fine arts festival will host a graffiti artist. Chicagoan Won Kim will demonstrate the art form.
“We’re really excited for him to come,” said Laura Evans, director of visitor services at Cantigny. “He’s going to be doing demonstrations, and interacting with visitors.”
Kim will be joined in his demonstrations by fellow graffiti artists David Gonzalez and Kevin Spacey — “but not the actor,” Evans said.
“I think it’s a form of art that many people don’t know a lot about,” Evans said. “Sometimes it has a negative connotation to it, but actually, if you really look at graffiti art there’s a lot of beauty in it.”
By having the graffiti art on display at Art in Bloom, more people will have a chance to take a look at it and appreciate it, she said.
“Art is in the eye of the beholder, and not everybody interprets art the same way,” Evans said. “I think that’s a great thing.”
Art in Bloom, one of Cantigny’s signature events, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17. Admission is free with paid parking, which is $5 per vehicle.
More than 75 juried artists in a variety of mediums will have their work on display and for sale throughout weekend. The artists were selected by Cantigny, with the help of art consultant Erin Melloy of EM Events, Evans said.
“We have a variety of artists,” Evans said. “We keep it well-balanced.”
Artists exhibiting at the fest include returning favorites and some who are new to Art in Bloom. Many are local, but there are also those who travel from out of state.
Art demonstrations will take place on both days, as well as musical performances by Sam Savage & Soul Company and Guitarra Azul.
“We have some really great music throughout the day, both days,” Evans said.
Children can help paint Cantigny’s “monster mural,” and participate in colorful sand art projects for a $1 fee.
Festival-style food will be available for purchase outdoors, and Le Jardin restaurant will be open for casual dining. Visitors can also enjoy Cantigny’s picnic grounds. For Father’s Day, the Red Oak Room at Cantigny Golf will host a brunch with seatings at 10 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m. Call (630) 260-8194 for reservations.
Evans said those attending the art festival are also encouraged to visit Cantigny’s spacious gardens, the Robert R. McCormick Museum and the First Division Museum, which are also free.
“People can really just make a whole day out of it,” Evans said. “Come to the art festival, and enjoy the gardens and museums.”
