GENEVA – The annual "Drawn Together Colored Pencil Show," featuring over 150 pieces created by the artists of Beech Tree Studio, will be displayed from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at Chapelstreet Church in Geneva.

The free event will offer light refreshments and the music of Daniel Lim.

“The 'Drawn Together' art show is a chance for colored pencil artists to share the work they have created over the past year,” said Andria Burchett, owner of Beech Tree Studio. “It’s part exhibit, part celebration.”

Burchett, who teaches the fine art of colored pencil, said the work is not as simple as just picking a color out of the box.

“Most of the artwork is done by adding light layers of multiple colors,” Burchett said. “You want to create the color by combining multiple layers of colored pencil instead of just picking one color.”

Some of the featured artists are Judy Gilmour of Yorkville, a Kendall County Board member; Candace Miller of St. Charles; and Cathy DeYoung of Lombard.

Gilmour’s colored pencil art of fall fruit and gourds includes all the details and shading of the actual items.

“She did a gorgeous job,” Burchett said. “It has a lot to do with technique and blending.”

Miller’s work of green hops is on the art studio’s marketing materials.

“Her son, Jeff, owns an organic farm, Prairie Wind Family Farm in Grayslake, and she did this for him,” Burchett said. “Another son is going to open a craft brewery and this picture of hops is a gift for him.”

DeYoung’s colored pencil work of frosted and decorated Christmas cookies shows how she has grown as an artist, Burchett said.

“She has gained a lot of self-confidence through her art,” Burchett said. “She never finished a project before she started doing colored pencil art. Now she turns out the most exquisite work.”

DeYoung created the cookies for the studio’s annual Christmas card workshop.

Though the event is free, Burchett said she invites attendees to bring a nonperishable food item for the church’s food pantry.

If you go

WHAT: "Drawn Together Colored Pencil Show"

WHERE: Chapelstreet Church, 3435 Keslinger Road, Geneva

WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 23

COST: Free admission, with food pantry donation welcome

INFO: beechtreestudio.com