Dennis Downes is an artist in demand. Downes is a life long resident of Cook and Lake County. The Downes family has been in the Channel lakes region since the late 1920s. His working studio is currently located in Antioch on the Chain. He doesn't have much free time though, due to his busy schedule, to enjoy all the water sports the lake has to offer.
Dennis, already a popular painter and sculptor in Lake and Cook County, is gaining even more followers as his artistic efforts and his Native American cultural research and documentation efforts are recognized. The artist's work has focused on the American Indians of the Great Lakes Region, their symbolism and their history, as well as other historically significant European figures and his traditional landscapes. Dennis has received numerous awards and recognition over the last couple of years in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Best of Show – Mixed Media – 2007 Masters Show – Joliet
- Best of Show – Painting – 2008 Masters Show – Glencoe
- Award of excellence – Painting - 2008 Northbrook
- Award of Excellence – Mixed Media – 2009 Northbrook
- Merit Award – Painting – 2009 Glencoe
- Best of Show - Painting – 2010 Barrington
- Best of Show – Painting – 2010 Northbrook
The year 2009 was an exciting year for Dennis. For the third year in a row he was honored to receive an award for his artwork at the "Festival of the Masters" a national competition hosted by AMDUR Productions. Dennis' sculpture, "Trail Marker Tree" was accepted into the Lakefront sculpture Exhibition in downtown Chicago, receiving an honorarium and having his sculpture on display for a year located at 825 W. Sheridan Road. Most recently in September 2009, Dennis' own high relief paper making technique was featured on
Home and Garden TV. The Dog Pony pieces he created are a part of the series that was created for the filming of the show "That's Clever" that aired nationally.
Dennis' painting career spans 30 plus years. During that time he has traveled extensively to do research in actual locations where ancient cultures existed and left their mark on the environment. He has worked side by side with respected archaeologists here in North America and in Europe. Dennis has focused extensively on the Great Lakes region over the years and many of his works are the result of his concentration on this area.
The success the artist has had has not come without many trials, "Early on I was often rejected by juries of art shows and rather than be crushed, it filled me with resolve to work even harder to have my works accepted. Work ethic is something I understand very well. I recently married and we have not had a honeymoon yet, or a real vacation that has not been work related since 1993." The artist has worked many hard jobs as he labored to develop his art form. He had to work construction, meaning swinging a sledge hammer and wheeling concrete as well as many other hard jobs while continuing to work on his art.
His mother's people, who were Basque, now have been located in the mountains of Northern Idaho for the past 100 years. Dennis has crossed over the Rocky Mountains over 30 times. Dennis is part of the Berriochoa clan. He is Basque and Irish. There are few cultures that go back as far as the Basque people. Regular visits from early childhood have kept the artist feeling that he has not broken ties with the Basque People or the beauty of Upper Idaho.
Dennis' recent involvement with the
Lakefront Sculpture Exposition, Spring 2009, and the Trolley Car Tour, Fall 2009, in Chicago as well as being in the Emergency Services Fund Raiser, Navy Pier 2009, where he was interviewed by
Janet Davies who is Arts and Entertainment executive producer of
190 North has resulted in his work and research being the focus of a soon to be published book. A
Chicago publisher, Neal Samors PhD, approached Dennis about publishing a book that will chronicle Dennis' research of the navigational habits of the American Indians of the Great Lakes Region. The book is scheduled to be released in 2011.
Roger Shule, past president of the
Antioch Fine Arts Foundation (AFAF) and Distinguished Member of the
Illinois Art Education Association, has known Dennis since they were introduced when they became charter members of the AFAF. Dennis was responsible for helping to generate funds to allow the foundation to continue to exist. This relationship has fostered a genuine respect for Dennis Downes body of work and his passion for educating in regards to his historically-based works.
"I always refer to the artist Dennis Downes as the 'Real Deal.' He has, since his high school days, been true to two things: his art and his ancestry. To my knowledge he never endeavored to mimic or paint in the manner of any other artist living or dead. He never tried out new or old artistic styles to achieve success or fame. He painted what he felt was right. He really does live and breathe his vision. Any lengthy discussion about his art work, his research or how he lives his life reveals his passion and dedication to each one."
The Antioch Fine Arts Foundation annually hosts an
Art Auction to raise money for operational costs. Dennis again this year donated several pieces to the event. Dennis donated 3 signed prints of some of his most recent works. Dennis also had on display one of his newest bronze pieces, a high relief bronze of Saint Valentin Berrio-Ochoa. On September 16, 2010 at the
University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein Dennis attended a meeting with
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. Archdiocese of Chicago, for the blessing of sculpture of
St. Valentin Berrio-Ochoa. The Cardinal happily agreed to pose for the photograph with Dennis and the bronze. The actual bronze high relief piece will be permanently installed in the capital of Boise, Idaho in the
Basque Cultural Museum.
Locally, Dennis has three pieces that are displayed in The Lodge at 899 Main Street, Antioch. The Antioch Fine Arts Foundation Gallery currently has on display a signed print in a handmade frame titled
Wilderness Coast. The artist was at the Art Auction and Wine Tasting to help make it a success and to mingle with artists and art patrons. This provided many an opportunity to meet this fascinating artist first hand. Thanks to Dennis and the many hard working artists of the foundation the Art Auction and Wine Tasting was a success.
Following suit to 2009, 2010 also has proved to be a very successful year for the artist. In the spring, Dennis celebrated his 10th Anniversary Solo Show at the
Grove Redfield Center. This 10th Anniversary Show truly was a success and was a great way to celebrate 10 years. Over the summer, Dennis was able to attend two respected Fine Art Shows, winning Best of Show at both. To wrap up the year, Dennis completed a historical 8' bronze sculpture that has just been installed in downtown Chicago. The unveiling of this sculpture will be in mid-December.
The Holiday season is upon us and the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation
Gallery is ready for the festive time. The gallery has handmade ornaments and Christmas greeting cards for gallery shoppers. A special offering this year are Winter Holiday watercolor prints created by AFAF artist Betty Sills. These delightful images of snowmen and gingerbread figures presented in multicolored mats and wood frames are a great gift item. As well as the seasonal items, there are many choices of photographs, jewelry items, clay and metal works, paintings done in oils, watercolors, acrylics, and wax (encaustics), stained glass creations and more. Put us on your to-do list and check out the many offerings.
The Antioch Fine Arts Foundation is a not for profit organization which is dedicated to furthering the creative efforts of its members while spreading knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts. This is accomplished by providing an environment which fosters interaction with other artists and the community through public display of members' artwork coupled with art demonstrations, classes and workshops. The Foundation's membership includes artists and craftsmen from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin in addition to patrons of the arts.
The
Gallery is open to the public and while donations are graciously accepted, admission to the gallery is free. Hours of operation are Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 to 4:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 or by special arrangements.
Antioch Fine Arts Foundation is located a 983 Main Street (Rt. 83), Antioch, IL. The phone number is 847.838.2274.