Winter Arts & Crafts Expo returns to Evanston
photo: Skokie artist Judith Edelman still life painting, "Morning." (Judith Edelman)
by Myrna Petlicki
Pioneer Press
Holiday shopping will be a real treat at the Evanston Art Center's 13th Annual Winter Arts & Crafts Expo, opening Nov. 21. Work by 110 juried artisans will be displayed in the Evanston Art Center's new Central Street location.
"It's really exciting to see the different types of work that comes in," said Gabrielle Burrage, manager of external affairs. Mediums includes jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed media, clothing, and pottery. "One artist is submitting some laser engraved work, which is really exciting because we have our own laser engraver that we just got at the art center," Burrage noted.
Jewelry artist Renay Mandell of Winnetka will be presenting work at the Arts & Crafts Expo for the sixth time.
Mandell has been creating her distinctive jewelry since taking a bead-weaving class in 2006 at a now defunct Highland Park art studio. "It was so much fun because whatever you made was unique and different and could incorporate any colors you wanted to make one-of-a-kind pieces," she said.
She discovered soon after beginning to design jewelry that there is a market for her work. Mandell currently has pieces for sale at Persimmon in Wilmette, where she did a trunk show in October, and has sold jewelry at a number of North Shore shows.
Mandell will be selling necklaces, bracelets and earrings at the Expo. "I really have a unique eye for color," the artisan noted. "I use mostly gemstones and semiprecious stones and freshwater pearls and crystals. I love things that are shiny. One of the coolest things is my closures. I go out of my way to get the right closure."
Skokie artist Judith Edelman will bring 20 of her smaller oil paintings to the Expo.
"I have been a commercial artist most of my life," Edelman said. "I started out as a fashion illustrator. Then I did a lot of freelance while I had children. Then I became a graphic designer and illustrator."
Edelman retired 10 years ago and has been painting ever since. She takes two classes each week at the art center.
"I do a lot of abstract landscapes," Edelman said. However, she will be exhibiting still life paintings at the Expo. "They're almost realistic," she noted. "I like to soften the edges. They're easier to understand and get a grip on than the landscapes in many cases."
Several special events are planned. "Jewelry Fest, our Men's Shopping Day and Girls' Night Out are the events we have each year," Burrage reported. "This year, we thought we'd introduce family fun days that are free and open to the public. Since we're in our new location, we thought it would be fun if the whole family wants to come."
Artist Edelman described the Expo as "a delicious event. It is full of wonderful stuff and interesting people come to look at it."
Evanston Art Center's 13th Annual Winter Arts & Crafts Expo
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Sundays, Saturday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Dec. 20 (Closed on Thanksgiving)
1717 Central St., Evanston
Free
Preview Party, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 is $30 in advance; $40 at the door.
Special events include a Jewelry Fest, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5; Girls' Night Out, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 17; Men's Shopping Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 19; and Family Fun Activities, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 21 and 28 and Dec. 5, 12 and 19.
A Student Expo, featuring works by Evanston Art Center students, will run Dec. 5-20
(847) 475-5300; www.evanstonartcenter.org
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