Public Reception for Elmhurst Artists Guild Show Friday

Submitted by Elmhurst Artists Guild:

As a new member of the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild, Abbie Ansburg of Elmhurst is entering one of her paintings for the first time in the EAG Winter Members Show, which opened Tuesday at the EAG Gallery in the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave. A reception open to the public will be held in the gallery from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16.
 
Explaining her watercolor entry, “Corralling the Rain," Ansburg said it “implies an attempt to gather and organize something that can’t really be tamed. A cascade of thick turquoise and white paint seems to fall in an orderly fashion and gather on top of a dark green pool depicting the ‘rain.’” 

More realistic are the watercolor entries by Elmhurst resident Garri Budynsky, titled “Lake Superior, Eagle River, MI” and by Palatine resident Tony Armendariz, titled “La Cecilia.”
 
Entries to the show will be judged by Tristan J.M. Hummel, program manager/curator for the Chicago Loop Alliance. His focus is on non-traditional art, which he says is needed to get artwork out to people and have them engage with it. This year for the fourth time, Hummel was curator for the “Art on Track” show, reportedly the world's largest mobile art gallery, where CTA elevated train cars are transformed into art exhibits.  He was responsible for the BUILT for Art Festival, a major new art initiative in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood last August.
 
Most of the works are for sale. 

“These one-of-a-kind paintings and sculptures are unique holiday gifts, and they are very reasonably priced,” said Francesca Irion, EAG president. 

Irion pointed out that many of the artists have national reputations and enter shows throughout the U.S.  A “bin sale” of matted prints of member works is also available.  A portion of the proceeds from each sale benefits the Guild and the Elmhurst Art Museum.
 
About 50 emerging and established predominantly west suburban Chicago area artists will be represented in the show.  Their breadth of styles and medium encompasses dramatically different approaches to art, encompassing watercolors, ceramics, oils, acrylics, collages and photographs.  Works include landscapes, portraits and abstract works, among other styles.
 
The show can be viewed until Jan. 13 during regular Elmhurst Art Museum hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Admission is free all day Friday and to Museum members and children at all times.
 
The nonprofit EAG gallery is operated by the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild.  It features original contemporary artworks in a variety of styles and media.  Each year it hosts several group shows featuring the artwork of guild members, an invitational show for a significant local artist, and the National Art Premiere, a nationwide juried group show. Exhibits are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. 

More information is available at elmhurstartistsguild.org.