Arts Festival Today

Ebony Love of Hainseville has been working hard at preparing for today’s Arts Festival in downtown Grayslake.

“My house fills up with these things,” she says, referring to the quilts and handbags she makes by hand in her home studio, Love Bug Studios. She is ready for her second year at the festival where she will feature new handbag designs and a variety of new quilts.

“I used to do shows in downtown Chicago," Love said. "I like that this show is close to home and I can display my art.”

Love will join 54 other artists at the 16th annual Arts Festival on Saturday. The Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce organizes the event, which will showcase various talents including painting, jewelry making, quilts, photos, pottery and glass work. This year, one vendor also will sell concrete, stone and metal work.

“There really is something for everyone. This is not a craft show, it’s a juried art show where a group selects which artists will participate based on examples of their work” says Chamber Director Karen Christian-Smith. “We have a good range of items for display so it will fit everyone’s budget.”

The festival is a popular one. Vendors come from as near as Grayslake to as far away as North Dakota and Florida. They can bet on a good crowd to see their work. “We could have anywhere from 4,000 to 7,000 people show up for Saturday, it all depends on the weather,” says Christian-Smith.

Artist Jim Brooksher of Grayslake is looking forward to showing some of his watercolor and oil paintings. Among his lot will be pieces from his new Route 66 series.

“I have paintings from a lot of things along that route: old gas stations, automobiles from the ’50s and ’60s, an old windmill and old barns,” Brooksher said.

Brooksher has participated in the Grayslake Arts Festival on and off for several years. He says he likes that it is close to home, especially since so many of the visitors recognize his subjects.

“I paint a lot of local barns and Chicago scenes," he said. "I also do custom work so people identify with that.” Brooksher plans to bring about 28 original works, framed pieces, prints and cards.

Along with the local talent you can expect to see many local businesses participate. The Chamber of Commerce has a contract with the Economic Development Commission to help do that.

“We really encourage our businesses to set up on the street also. We want people to see what they have to offer after visiting the artists,” says Christian-Smith.

The Arts Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 18, in downtown Grayslake. Food vendors will be on the grounds. There also will be live music and special events including children’s activities throughout the day. Grayslake High School will have an art exhibit on display. The festival is free and open to the public.