Love at first sight may not always go the distance in a relationship, but it could be a great way to choose a work of art.
The good news is art lovers don't have to look far to find galleries and exhibits in the Western suburbs. In addition to those that sell reproductions of well-known art, local communities often spotlight the creative talents of both professional artists and home-grown amateurs. Organizations like the DuPage, Naperville and Plainfield art leagues operate their own galleries featuring rotating exhibits of members' work. Others, including the Aurora Art League, display their pieces locally in buildings open to the public.
(Brian Powers/Staff photographer)
Establishing a showcase for local, original art brings a sense of pride to a community, said artist Fredericka Howard, of West Chicago. She saw that happen in recent years when West Chicago bought and restored the historic Ripley House Hotel, located in the city's downtown, and converted the first floor into an art gallery. Now in its third year of operation, Gallery 200 features the work of some 30 local artists as well as jewelry made by clients of The People's Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that assists DuPage County residents living in poverty.
"I've always thought it was important that neighbors know about (the gallery), that they know what could be done and could be proud of their town because of it," said Howard, a member of West Chicago's cultural arts commission. "For so many years we've been sort of a backwater community of the western suburbs. Now I think people are taking a bit of pride in the idea that we can afford a gallery."
Many local schools have galleries and exhibit areas that showcase visual and cultural arts including College of DuPage, Aurora University, Elmhurst College, Wheaton College, Benedictine University and Marmion Academy. In addition to the gallery at its Oesterle Library, North Central College is including the Gus and Connie Schoenherr Art Gallery as part of its new concert hall and fine arts center currently under construction.
Debbie Egizio, a former designer for decorating magazines and Home and Garden TV, opened The Beat of My Art in August. The Naperville gallery and gift shop features her own artwork as well as that of 20 local artists. Art, she said, does more than decorate a room. It makes life a little bit brighter.
"Design and art and anything creative is important to us psychologically, too," said Egizio, who teaches classes at College of DuPage. "I think it's important for us to have galleries and to be able to appreciate and share (art) with every generation." While Egizio offers a variety of works including paintings, jewelry, soaps, purses and three-dimensional pieces, other galleries have found a niche specializing in a specific type of art. Janet Smith, owner of the Hozhoni Gallery in Naperville, deals exclusively in Native American pieces. A judge for American Indian art shows, she is active in Indian charities and donates a portion of her sales to the Indian community. She travels frequently to the American Southwest and the Northern Plains to hand-select her inventory, which includes carvings, pottery, baskets, drums and her biggest seller - jewelry. Smith said these pieces, especially the jewelry, are more than objects of beauty. Like most art, they have a story to tell.
"More people appreciate the handmade quality of jewelry," she said. "There's not really anything like it. It stands alone in history and design. Many people embrace it as being part of our country's history."
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