NORTH PARK ART WALK showcases Chicago artists, upcoming art center
The 2nd North Park Art Walk, a Chicago Artists Month (CAM) “featured program,” takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 & 9, 2011, from noon to 6 pm in Chicago's newest emerging art zone along the 5500 block of North Kedzie and the 3200 block of West Bryn Mawr on Chicago’s northwest side. Children can paint outdoor murals and make kites at the art walk. Local restaurants will offer food and drink specials. Check-in is at Koh-Varilla Guild, 5518 N. Kedzie.
Storefront and warehouse galleries will display and sell new pieces from 40 invited local professional artists plus work from Northeastern Illinois University, North Park University, Chicago Korean-American Art Association, Chicago Mosaic School, Loyola Academy, St. Hilary Elementary School and local residents. This lively mix brings life to CAM’s 2011 “Artful Networks” theme by fusing professional, amateur and student artists’ work with leading education organizations and enthusiastic North Park denizens and merchants.
Along with new Chicago art, visitors will get a taste of the old. Koh-Varilla Guild will show original paintings by Ivan Albright, his twin Malvin. The Albrights were born near Chicago in North Harvey, Illinois.
Art walk organizers view this event as both a joyous cultural weekend and a boost to the local community. All art walk proceeds will help fund the forthcoming North Park Art Center where young artists can rent affordable work/studio space, develop imaginative workshops with neighborhood schools, and attract additional artists, civic interest, private patrons and new galleries.
The North Park Art Walk, co-hosted by Koh-Varilla Guild and the Hollywood-North Park Community Association, is part of Chicago Artists Month 2011, the sixteenth annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. For more information, visit www.chicagoartistsmonth.org.
The North Park Art Walk thanks its generous sponsors: Albank, The Edward M Marx Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, LISC Chicago, and North Shore Community Bank and Trust. We gratefully acknowledge the support of Alderman Margaret Laurino, Alderman Patrick O’Connor, North River Commission, Foster and MB Financial banks and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). The NEIU Art Department hosts children’s mural painting and the Chicago-Korean American Art Association hosts kite making.
