The art fair is held at the Park Forest Village Green, and features new and returning artists.
PARK FOREST, IL — The 69th Annual Park Forest Art Fair will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Village Green in downtown Park Forest. It is located between Western Avenue and Orchard Drive, and Lakewood and Indianwood Blvd. Returning exhibitors Jenn Johnson and Cheryl Osby will be showing their work at this year’s fair.
"Growing up, I was surrounded by women who used fiber in a variety of ways: crocheting, quilting, embroidery," Johnson said. "My family created so many things, and seeing their work around me at all times made it feel very ordinary. Because of this, I didn’t really think of it as an artistic medium. Then, without really realizing it, it started to find its way into my own artwork, and I experienced how versatile the medium could be. Wool is such an ancient and natural material, and it makes me feel connected to not only my own family, but also the artists of ages past. I now use the softness and three-dimensional qualities of the wool to draw the viewer in and to grant a sense of comfort while looking at the work."
Osby's medium is acrylic on canvas. Her work showcases her “interpretations and depictions of African American life and culture.” The figures and portraits of African American women are Cheryl’s area of focus and exemplify strength, grace, and beauty. The observations of people, events, and surroundings give Cheryl her ideas and inspiration. On occasion, she will “reference old photo albums as well as recent photos. Mostly my ideas come from my imagination, resulting in a stylized reality.”
This year, there are four new artists exhibiting, as well as many returning artists who will be familiar to fairgoers. The artists work in a variety of media from oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, photography and printmaking to wood, glass, pottery, and fiber arts.
The Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery will be open on both days of the fair. The gallery, gift shop and art fair are open to the public, free of charge.
The current gallery exhibit, THE WHOLE KIT AND KABOODLE, will run through the last day of the art fair. In this large and diverse collection, over 70 artists share a wide range of media, including paintings, drawings, photographs, mixed media, glass, and fiber works, from realistic images to abstract compositions.
On Saturday, music entertainment will be provided by two groups: Rowgers Duo and Blend Acoustic. There are food vendors and a Kids Art Alley.
All artists who will be exhibiting in the art fair have been highlighted on the association's Facebook page.
For more information, call the gallery at 708-748-3377.