Tent Disaster Averted

I was getting ready for an art fair, so I figured I would set up the tent just to be sure everything was a-ok.  And it is a good thing I did because I discovered a broken truss! 

I called the tent company immediately to order a replacement 
but that part was on back order for 3 weeks! 

 That wasn't going to do -- I was going to use it in less than 2 weeks.  

I considered the universal fix-all, duct tape, but that didn't seem like it would really work.

My handy assistant (aka husband) came to my rescue!

He comes up with the idea for an insert as a solution. 

That might work!

He starts to work taking apart a joint. 

He puts the insert in and tightens it down.

A close up of the insert.

 Then he puts a screw under it so it can't slide away. 

 He has lots of tools.  He's my hero!

And it works!  It is all together and ready to go!

Go to the Fresh From The Studio store now

Some fun works!

Here are some fun works!

Go to the Fresh From The Studio store now

Exhibition Extended!

Directions:

If you are coming in from the suburbs by train and like to walk:

Leave the train station as usual and walk east 2 blocks to Franklin

Turn left (north) and walk 4-6 blocks to the Chicago River

Cross the river and you are on N. Orleans St

Continue for 3 1/2  blocks to 509 North

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique in on the east side of the street

(you also catch bus number 11 on Franklin)

If you are already in the River North gallery district:

Go to the intersection of Orleans and Huron,

Walk south 5/12 blocks to Sugar Bliss

Sales:

All artwork in this exhibition is for sale. You may select any piece and take it to the cashier.  She will be happy to process your purchase.

Go to the Fresh From The Studio store now

Art in The Barn

September 25-26, 2010 is the fall classic Art in The Barn in Barrington (IL) on the grounds of Good Shepherd Hospital. This art festival is unique because the artworks are actually displayed in old farm buildings, left over from when the hospital was built. What is so much fun is that visitors wind through all the buildings -- upper barn, corn crib, lower barn, tool shed, garage, etc. -- viewing and purchasing artwork. A portion of each sale goes to the hospital auxiliary. It is Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.  Here is the link. Look for me in the Mill Room. I am in the same spot as I was last time.

Go to the Fresh From The Studio store now

Oakbrook (IL) Center Invitational Art Fair

The fine Oakbrook Center is the setting for a long running invitational art fair this Saturday and Sunday, September 4 and 5. Artists have booths that leisurely wind through the outdoor pathways that run through the center. 

I will have a booth that is front of Bloomingdale's Home Store.  I hope you can come by.
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Geneva (IL) Arts Fair July 24, 25

Geneva, IL, is one of those towns when I say, "I have to come back here and really explore."  It is a beautiful little town on the Fox River, far west of Chicago. The older streets are lined with lovely little shops converted from Victorian homes that you just can't resist entering and discovering.  This is the setting for this weekend's Chicago area art fair.  It is located on S. Third Street and runs from 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.  Here's an article about its in the local paper.

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Schedule for June, July, August, Sept 2010

 Glencoe Festival of the Masters this weekend, July 10-11
On Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11, the Festival will return to Glencoe, IL, on the North Shore, for the 3rd season.  Professional artists' booths will line Park Avenue and Village Court.  Admission is free and you will enjoy art, live music and festival food. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm, both days. A few blocks east of the festival is a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan.  Pick up a lunch and have a picnic--it's worth the visit! Set your GPS to 320 Park Avenue, Glencoe IL, 60022. More info here. 



Art fair in Arlington Hts. (IL) this Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27
The Promenade of Art takes place in the intersections of Campbell and Vail this weekend from 10 am to 5 pm each day. I visited this fair last year and found the downtown area of Arlington Hts vibrant and pleasurable.  Sidewalk cafes, a lovely plaza and a live theater are some of the things I discovered. And it is just steps from the Metra. I hope to see you there! I am in Booth 352.5, on Campbell.





Other dates:
-June 26-27, Promenade of Art, Downton Arlington Hts, IL
-July 10-11 Glencoe Festival of the Masters, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe, IL-July 24-25 Geneva Arts Fair, S. 3rd St., Geneva, IL
-Aug 7-8, Art at the Glen, Glen Town Center, Glenview, IL (tentative)
-Aug 21-22, 29th Lakefront Art Festival, Washington Pk, Michigan City, IN
-Sept. 4-5, Oakbrook Center Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, Oak Brook, IL
-Sept. 25-26, Art in the Barn, Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, IL

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

May Art Fairs 2010

 May 1 is this Saturday and  May is the unofficial kick off for art fair season in the Midwest.  Here are three good fairs you shouldn't miss. 

Oak Park, Art in the Park 15-16, Mills Park, 217 S. Home Ave.
The hometown of Frank Lloyd Wright is the setting. You can tour his studio and the neighborhood, which is the location of some of his early work. The West Suburban Art Guild organizes this event.

Riverside Arts Festival, May 22-23, 
35 E. Quincy Ave
The entire town of Riverside is a national landmark, as it was  planned by Fredrick Olmsted, the nineteenth-century landscape architect who designed Central Park in New York. Beautiful homes and city buildings are hallmarks of this town. A walking tour, conducted by the Olmstead Society, starts off at 2 pm.









  Barrington Art Fair, May 29-30, downtown Barrington
Friendly little restaurants and an old-fashioned downtown area are two of the attractions of Barrington, long known to be the home of the horsey set. Barrington is a pleasant town to visit and the art should be fabulous. This is the newest Amy Amdur-produced art fair. If you are familiar with Chicago-area art fairs, you know that she conducts a fine show with high quality art and professional organization.

  
 --Barb

www.SistakBaur.com


-

Chicago Art Open Showcases Diverse Works (Mine, included)

The 12th Annual Chicago Art Open, presented by the Chicago Artists' Coalition, will be on display from April 20-May 7 at the River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois Street, Chicago.  There are more than 350 works of art on display, all from members of the Chicago Artists' Coalition.  The Chicago Art Open is an unique opportunity to appreciate the diverse talent of the city's visual artists.  The Opening Reception is April 24, (a Saturday), from 12-4 pm..  Yes, I am displaying my "Loaves" in this exhibition and will be at the opening reception (which is free for everyone). I hope to see you there.

Two more great events are happening at the Open.  One is the Benefit Preview Party, April 20, from 6-9 p.m.  Advance tickets are $50.  The other event is the free event,  "How to Collect" panel discussion that takes place May 2, from 12-3 p.m. (If you can't make this but are interested, I am going to attend and post the information here on my blog.)

 

Loaves, showing at the Chicago Art Open, 16"x30", stained canvas adhered to board, © B. Sistak Baur, $975

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Kaneland Celebrates the Arts

Far west of Chicago is Kane County, where Sugar Grove and Maple Park are  located.  Rural communities with agricultural roots, they represent the home of the Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival this April 18.  For one day, the Kaneland High School in Maple Park is the location of an art extravaganza with performances, workshops, art demonstration and exhibitions. The entire community participates. In association with the Fine Arts Festival, a juried art exhibition is concurrently shown at the Sugar Grove Library.

I am proud to say that I am participating in these events in two ways.  First, I am one of the invited artists demonstrating in the Fine Arts Festival on Sunday, April 18. And second, two artworks of mine were selected for the fine art exhibition at the library which runs from March 26 to April 30.  (Grand Fruit Tart and Cheesecake Pie.)

By the way, the public is invited to these events and they are free.  Get the schedule here.

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Michigan City Added to Art Fair Schedule

Michigan City, Indiana, is the art destination for me this August 21 and 22.  This is where the Lubeznik Center for the Arts is conducting its 29th Lakefront Festival in Washington Park, on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. The park is accessible to motorists, cyclists, foot traffic and boaters alike. Thousands of visitors from surrounding states come to this festive, high-quality event.  I hope you will, too, since I have added this festival to my schedule. Click for more info about the event.

-- Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

2010 Art Fair Schedule is Shaping Up

I certainly miss seeing everyone and eager to get started again at the summer art festivals. As you may know, art fair artists start the application process in the fall for following summer. Most of the festivals I attend are "juried." This means that my paintings are placed along side paintings by other artists and a "jury" rates them. The artists with higher scores are invited to participate in the festival. I have 90% of my applications submitted -- and invitations are trickling in. So far I have been invited to the following shows;

• May 22-23, Riverside Art Festival, Burlington Ave., Riverside, IL
• June 5-6, 57th Street Art Fair, Hyde Park, Chicago
* Sept. 4-5, Oakbrook Center Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, Oak Brook, IL

This list will grow as I hear from festival organizers. I will update my schedule as I learn of the results. I hope your favorite art festival shows up on the list. If not, I hope you visit a new festival.
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Arts Showcase – Barrington (IL) - 11/7-11/8

I am joining the Barrington Park District for its 8th Annual Showcase of Arts and Crafts this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8. The hours are 11am to 5pm on Sat. and 10am-4pm, Sun. It takes place at Landendorf Park, 235 Lions Dr. I looked at the list of exhibitors scheduled for this event and noted that they are quality artisans. For more info call, 847-381-0687. Here is the poster about the event. Double click it to enlarge.
--Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

Autumn Showcase – Crystal Lake (IL) - 11/5-11/29

Autumn Showcase – Crystal Lake
The artists of the Northwest Area Arts Council have joined together for a group exhibition from Nov. 5-29, at the Brink Street Market, downtown Crystal Lake, IL. More than 40 members are showing works in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, photography, jewelry, fiber, pottery and sculpture. 20% of all sales is donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. There will be an artists’ reception, Sat., Nov 7, 7-9 pm. I hope to see you there. Otherwise, the show is open Wednesdays-Sundays, 10am to 4pm.

I am showing my "Chocolate Cake" at this exhibition.

Chocolate Cake, 9"x12", acrylic, framed. $360. © B. Sistak Baur

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Art Fair -- Last Call Art Fair in Highwood

The Highwood Last Call Art Fair is this weekend, October 17-18, 10 am to 4 pm each day. It is located at Sheridan Rd and Highwood Ave., in downtown Highwood. Yes, it will be chilly but it is looking like there will be a bit of sunshine. This is a new Amy Amdur production who is renowned in the Chicago area for the art fairs she produces. They are always very professionally run and well-attended. Don’t miss this last chance to stroll around the art booths and maybe pick up some good end-of-the-season deals! Click to go to the event website.
--Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

Art Fairs -- 2009 Gold Coast, Chicago, 7/31, 8/1, 8/2

If you are going the Gold Coast Art Fair, I am on Erie St., right in the middle somewhere. Booth number 234. It is this weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 31, August 1 and 2. It is located at Superior, Huron and Erie between Clark and Wells.

From the website: Heralded as the “Grand Daddy” of American art festivals, the Gold Coast Art Fair is celebrating more than 50 years of wowing Chicago. As one of the most highly attended art fairs in the city, The Gold Coast River North Art Fair annually attracts over 300 juried artists and 600,000 visitors from locations around the world. The free festival is set along city streets and sidewalks in the gallery-filled neighborhood; a world-class creative and cultural experience.
I am in booth number 234.
--Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

Art Fairs -- St. Joe, MI and Geneva, IL

There are two Art Fairs coming up in July 2009 that I will be a part of --

KRASL Art Fair on the Bluff in St. Joseph, Michigan, July 11 and 12. This art fair is produced by the KRASL Art Center and is in the top 100 art fairs rated by Sunshine Artist magazine. I have never been to St. Joe but have heard wonderful things about it. The art fair is along the lake front so that should be beautiful. And there is great shopping in the quaint downtown. I am looking forward to it.

Geneva Arts Fair in Geneva, IL, July 25-26. The Geneva Chamber of Commerce sponsors this art fair. Geneva is a popular destination. Victorian homes-turned-businesses in the downtown historic district serve as a picturesque backdrop for shopping at the fine arts show. Voted “Best Craft or Art Show” in 2008 by West Suburban Living magazine, this is the 7th year for this art fair.

11/20/08 - 2/28/09 Riverside Village Hall

A selection of about 11 of my paintings grace the halls of the Riverside Village Hall. It is open Monday thru Friday during regular business hours. The address is 27 Riverside Rd., Riverside, Ill. 708-447-2700. More information about the lovely town of Riverside can be found on its website.

This art venue is organized and maintained by the Riverside Art Center. Garry Henderson is the Exhibitions Director there and he invited me for this show. Thank you, Garry.

11/27/08 - 1/08/09 Freeark Gallery

A new painting (I don't even have a photo of it yet!), Marble Cake III, is part of the annual members show at the Freeark Gallery located in the Riverside Arts Center, 32 East Quincy, Riverside, IL. It is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm. An Open House is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5. 2008.

Look for the painting that looks like a cake with wings!

Real People 2008

Blue Woman, ©Barbara Sistak Baur, 8"x10," acrylic, framed, ($250), has been selected for the juried exhibition Real People 2008, Aug. 7 through Sept 28, at the Old Court House Arts Center in Woodstock, IL. The show is organized by the Old Court House Figurative League. The Gala Opening and Awards presentation is Saturday, Aug. 23, from 6-9:30. There are lovely restaurants within walking distance of the show making this a delightful outing for anyone.