Art walk added to Grayslake Arts Alliance’s MayFest

GRAYSLAKE – The Grayslake Arts Alliance will add a new wrinkle to MayFest, its community spring festival that is scheduled for May 1.

In addition to the art and music festival at the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum on May 1, the local arts group is planning an Art Walk from April 30 through May 2 in partnership with several businesses along the town’s historic Center Street.

“The goal of this multi-option approach is to make sure all of our members felt comfortable participating in the event,” said Paul Price, GAA president, “and to accommodate COVID restrictions. In addition to artwork, the GAA also plans to host a live music component with up to eight acts at the Heritage Center. If weather permits, the artwork and music will be staged outdoors as in years past, which will help to safely accommodate guests.”

Jennifer Evans, events committee chairwoman for the arts alliance, said 29 artists will be showing work at the event: 16 at the Heritage Center and 13 at the art walk. Eight businesses have signed up to host work, she said, adding two more are expected to sign up before the event begins. The eight businesses are 27 Houses, Closet Traders, First Draft, Somethings Brewing, This Old Book, Valen Studios, The Vine and Shear Genius Salon.

New this year, the GAA will livestream its May workshop from MayFest. The workshop will be taught by Heather June Toser and will focus on silhouettes and flowers. The workshop is virtual. Registration information can be found on the arts alliance website, www.grayslakeartsalliance.org/workshops.

The GAA’s education committee plans to stage a take-home art activity for all ages. Kits will be available for pickup outside the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum from April 30 through May 2.

Participating artists:

Stephanie Anastasia: colored pencil (art walk)

Sinead Carus: illustration, photography (art walk)

Paula Casey: watercolor (art walk)

Suki Michelle Clark: digital, colored pencil, charcoal, pencil

Robert Dean: photography

Tish De La Mora: writer, photography

Jennifer Evans: acrylic, mixed media (art walk)

Kalena Gilmour-Keefe: mixed media

Debbie Kalinowski: oil, pastel

Beth Lepper: watercolor, mixed media, colored pencil (art walk)

Roni Malic: paint, pastel (art walk)

Oliver Merriam: oil, watercolor

Lindsey Miska: watercolor (art walk)

Leslie Nauta: pastel, acrylics, watercolor

Kristen Neveu: mixed media (art walk)

EJ Nickson: writer

Laura O’Connor: fiber arts

Clarese Ornstein: Acrylic, oil, colored pencil

Paul Price: fluid acrylic, mixed media

Charlene Riffer: colored pencil, graphite (art walk)

Maureen Rivkin: paint

Phil Schorn: colored pencil

Ernie Schweit: photography

Leslie Scott: scratchboard

Emilie Sizemore: photography, oil, watercolor, acrylic

Ashi Tara: pen, paint, digital (art walk)

Patricia VanHuis: pen, marker, colored pencil, acrylic (art walk)

Edie Wendricks: stained glass (art walk)

Jeff Wozniak: pen, marker, acrylic, watercolor (art walk)