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Rosemary Mackey
(630)
293-2200 ext. 139
rmackey@westchicago.org |
City of West
Chicago
475 Main
Street
West Chicago,
Illinois 60185 |
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Wonderful & Wearable Art at West Chicago's Gallery 200
Opening Reception
Friday, December 4, 2009
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. |
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Sue Weibler has created a collection of exquisite silver jewelry for the upcoming Wonderful & Wearable show and sale at West Chicago's Gallery 200. |
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Stunning rings are the specialty of artist Gwen Hines, appearing soon at an Opening Reception for Wonderful & Wearable on Friday, December 4, 2009 at West Chicago's Gallery 200. |
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Artist and volunteer Gallery 200 administrator Heide Morris, brings an assortment of her fine crafts to Gallery 200 for December's show and sale, Wonderful & Wearable. |
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West Chicago, Illinois: December 1, 2009 – Gallery 200, the creative oasis at 200 Main Street in downtown West Chicago will feature an eclectic selection of handmade jewelry and accessories crafted by local and area artists for the month of December. Gallery members Cathy Linegar, Luis Espinosa, Sue Weibler, Heide Morris, Joanne Kalchbrenner, Gwen Hines, Lisa Stapella, Britta Renwick and Sandy Miles will showcase their unique jewelry during December in a show and sale titled Wonderful & Wearable. Handmade accessories such as scarves, gloves, purses and clogs will also be featured.
The artists that are featured are as interesting as the pieces they create:
Sue Weibler – This jewelry artist began crafting sterling silver earrings and bracelets in 2002 and later went on to learn the art of weaving chainmaille patterns. Sue Weibler instantly fell in love with the process and results, and found great satisfaction in transforming a gangly spool of wire into a beautiful chain of intricately woven rings. Weibler also had a desire to learn how to solder and fabricate components, so she enrolled in two silversmith courses through the College of DuPage. She also learned how to set semi-precious gemstones and make pendants. Her pieces are nothing short of exquisite.
Heide Morris – Gallery 200 volunteer administrator Heide Morris recognizes the inter-relationship of the arts after spending many years teaching art in West Chicago’s School Dist 33. Trained first in watercolor, she has since learned to merge pastel into her work and finds painting the most creatively rewarding. However, she continues to teach classes at Gallery 200 in ceramics, which allows her to explore the sculpting quality of clay, and recently began knitting as a way to keep her hands artfully engaged while watching television or riding in the car. She learned to knit and crochet from her Grandmother when she was about 8 years old. She admits that fiber art has been a big part of life for many members of her family, and after inheriting a “bunch of yarn” was inspired to put it to use. She has recently added some of her pieces, including a claret-colored vest and a highly inventive pocket scarf, at Gallery 200 to spark variety among Gallery inventory. Morris’ beaded bracelets, which will also be a part of Wonderful & Wearable, are created through a technique using her crocheting skills.
Sandy Miles - Sandy Miles has been crafting since she could hold a needle. Embroidery, crocheting and knitting have been an integral part of her life. Miles also enjoys working in mixed media: painting, drawing, collage. Her wearable art will be a featured highlight of the December show.
Joanne Kalchbrenner – While her formal education is in City Planning, Joanne Kalchbrenner has always enjoyed being artistic. She paints on glass, and also does glass etching. Her inspiration for jewelry-making came from all the beautiful beads she discovers in her travels. Following lessons in beaded jewelry-making, she began creating necklaces and earrings for herself and friends, and has now branched out into selling jewelry at Gallery 200.
Luis Espinosa – Luis Espinosa admits to being fascinated about the ways of Native American spirituality and he wants his jewelry to represent humble beauty - no gold, no silver and no precious stones – simply wood and found objects of art and nature. He reflects that 200 years ago two horses could be bought for a necklace made of sea shells. Espinosa acknowledges his lifestyle as a simple one of self-sustainability. He rides a bicycle rather than a car and grows his own food. His artist statement concludes with his assertion, “I am a very simple man.”
Britta Renwick - Even though her main focus is photography, a medium in which she is extremely accomplished, versatile artist Britta Renwick loves to do all kinds of crafts either on her own or with her children. She started about three years ago making necklaces and has had lots of fun with it, and admits to getting encouragement through the many compliments she receives for her pieces.
Lisa Stapella – Artist Lisa Stapella specializes in oil and pastel paintings of landscapes and family moments, however, she recently created a line of wearable art, “Piccashoes”, which are painted clogs suitable for any style and age. Her work has been shown in brochures and galleries in the Austin, Texas area as well as at Gallery 200, where she exhibited as a Featured Artist in July 2008.
Gwen Hines - Gwen Hines’ main focus is jewelry made with semi-precious stones and gems. She creates individual pieces, and also does some beaded work for earrings and rings. Her rings are showstoppers.
Cathy Linegar – Cathy Linegar, known for her stained-glass work, will be creating beaded jewelry using stones she acquires through art and antique dealers.
Wonderful & Wearable is perfectly timed for the month of December to showcase the prolific artistic talent that resides in and around West Chicago, while offering those that appreciate beautiful artisan-crafted jewelry and accessories the opportunity to purchase a one of a kind piece for everyone on their holiday gift list at an affordable price. “Supporting the arts by purchasing a piece at Gallery 200 is twice the gift,” said Rosemary Mackey, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the City of West Chicago. “Not only are you giving a lovely gift created by the hands of a local artisan, you are also making a statement of the value you place on promoting community arts.”
An Opening Reception, at which you can meet the artists, will be held on December 4, 2009 from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m., and is open to the public. Regular Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Open studio hours with the Underground Art Group are Tuesdays from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. For more information, call Gallery 200 at (630) 293- 9550.
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| CITY OF WEST
CHICAGO 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois
60185 T - (630)
293-2200 www.westchicago.org |
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