AFAF News

Press releases are written by Connie Siewert E-mail.

AFAF Featured Artists for August

The featured artists for the month of August at the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation (AFAF) are Carole Sterne and Arlene Cramer Omerod. AFAF is a non-profit organization devoted to the education and promotion of the arts in and around Lake County, Illinois.

Carole Sterne's medium is primarily watercolor for the past 16 years. She took an oil painting class at the age of six andthat early training was carried forward when she attended Moore College of Art. Her studies were enhanced by classes from others more advanced than herself in oil and watercolors. Carole's subject matter is eclectic but leans toward landscapes portrayed in an abstract and surealistic manner. She has taught continuing education classes for adults at the Libertyville Park District. Carole has won awards for both mediums and has been juried into many shows: The David Adler "Open Spectrum" shows; CLC's "recent works"; The Cuneo Museum in Libertyville; and, at the Shull Museum in North Chicago.

Arlene Cramer Omerod, a retired elementary teacher, works with oils, pastels, colored pencils, watercolors and mixed media. Arlene's soft and delicate strokes lend a romantic and artistically realistic rendition to her subject matter of birds, trees, gardens and landscapes done mostly in pastels. She has done commissioned animal portraits of wildlife (including birds), and domestic animals (pussy cats and dogs). Many of her original scenic greeting cards for special occasions are available for purchase as are reproduced copies of some of her original art. Arlene modestly admits to winning awards from County Fairs and from local shows. Other than teaching art to her past elementary students, she has also taught small classses to adults and is planning on doing so again in the future. You may preview some of Arlene's work by visiting the AFAF website.

An opening for this show with artists in attendance is scheduled for August 10th from 1:30 - 4:00 pm with light refreshments being served. Please, come and join us. Although the opening is on the 10th, their show will be the entire month of August at the Gallery located at 983 Main Street in Antioch, IL. Hours are: Th/Fr/Sa: 10-4pm; and Su: 12-4pm. For more information call 847-838-2274 or visit our website: www.antiochfinearts.org

AFAF Dennis Downes - Antioch Artist Wins "Best of Show"

Dennis Downes, well known for his research into the Trail Marker Trees, was this past weekend awarded "Best of Show" in painting at the 2008 "Festival of the Masters" held in Glencoe, on the North Shore. He competed with over 100 award winning artists and received perfect scores from the judges. The awards ceremony was held last Saturday morning.

Dennis is a long time member and major contributor to the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation and regularly exhibits his works at the Gallery. In fact, he was last seen in our Gallery located at 983 Main Street, Antioch, IL in December of 2007.

Coming up on July 12th and July 13th, Mr. Downes will be participating in the Northbrook Fine Arts Festival, "Art in the Park," exhibiting some of his newest originals of his paintings and paper pieces. He will also have prints and proofs available for purchase. During the art show, the Northbrook Historical Society will be hosting Mr. Downes' Trail Marker Tree Exhibit, featuring his latest 5' Bronze Sculpture. The show will be held at Village Green Park, 1320 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL.

For more information visit the events page of his website: www.downesstudio.net

AFAF Featured Artists for July

Marjorie Krutsch and Bob Anderson are the featured artists at the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation (AFAF) for the month of July. AFAF is dedicated to promoting the visual arts through education and community involvement in Northern Lake County and the surrounding areas.

Marjorie Krutsch is an accomplished stained glass artisan, watercolorist, oil painter and a charter member of AFAF. Marjie started painting in oil and then discovered glass and has been working with stained glass for 30 years. She expertly incorporates her background of color and design from working with oils into working with clients to create new and unique custom-made pieces of art. Wall hangings, windows, doors, transoms, lamps, etc. are some of the items she either has available ready made or is more than capable of producing to your satisfaction. Marjie gives classes and runs her own shop, "The Glass Canvas", here in downtown Antioch. Marjie will have a tent set up at Art On The Lawn on Sunday, July 20th where she will have stained glass as well as some of her paintings on display.

Bob Anderson, a self-taught artist, is a relatively new member of AFAF. Bob's medium is pen and ink drawings hand-painted with pastels which he began as a child. He only began concentrating on the business of art since his retirement in '98. He started an illustration business doing home portraits for builders, realtors and individuals alike. Many of his clients have commissioned more than one of their homes to be drawn by Bob from pictures they send to him. Fish profiles of game and pan fish along with depictions of fishing lures are also favorite subjects. He has recently begun doing rural farm scenes and old barns captured on film from his vacationing and transferring them over to his art form. Two of his works are currently at CLC, and six are at The Nippersink Gallery in Spring Grove.

An opening of their White Room show with both artists in attendance is on Sunday, July 13th from 2-4pm at the Gallery located at 983 Main Street in Antioch, IL. Hours are: Th/Fr/Sa: 10-4pm; and Su: 12-4pm. For more information call 847-838-2274 or visit our website: www.antiochfinearts.org

AFAF Fourth Annual Art on the Lawn

Antioch Fine Arts Foundation (AFAF) is proud to present our 4th annual Art On The Lawn on Sunday, July 20th from 10am - 4pm. Tents will be up with artists showing off their talents and wares on the Lakes Region Historical Society's and AFAF's grounds at 983 Main Street.

Currently, sixteen of our artist members have committed the day to this increasingly attended event. Many of them will be demonstrating their artistic process if possible. The following artists are: Oil - Bernita Schuette, Patty Rodgers; Watercolor and Acrylic - Roger Shule, Barbara Wagner, Beverly Walczak; Jewelry - Dawn Revenaugh, Laura Rodgers (also, gourds), Lisa Clark (also, fractal art); Botanical Art/Paper Making - Liz Wank; Porcelain artists - Diane Schroeder, Margie Razar; Encaustic - Virginia Morrisseau; Pottery - Maureen and George Johnson; Stained Glass - Marjie Krutsch (also oil and watercolor), Dennis Boehm (also yard art).

Lisa Clark, AFAF's VP, has again agreed to do children's face painting. Dairy Queen has generously donated discount coupons that can be picked up inside our Gallery. The music situation isn't yet set in concrete, so info will be forthcoming. The Gallery will be open all day with its usual display of fine art that was recently changed out on the first of July.

If you are an artist and would be interested in setting up a tent at this event, call Laura Rodgers at 847-265-0572. We have room and you are welcome!

If you have any questions either call during regular hours: Th/Fr/Sa - 10-4pm; Su - 12-4pm at 847-838-2274 or visit our website: www.antiochfinearts.org

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

splatter graphic