More than 40 artists will be exhibiting and selling original works at the 2nd annual Ridge Park Art Fair & Festival Sat., June 22, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Ridge Park Cultural Center, 9625 S. Longwood Dr. The event is being planned and presented by the Ridge Park Advisory Council (RPAC) and John H. Vanderpoel Art Association along with the Chicago Park District.
A highlight of cultural opportunities in the community, the Ridge Park Art Fair & Festival will feature work across a wide variety of media, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, photographs, jewelry, art glass, leatherwork and more.
The art fair debut last year was a resounding success, with more than 1000 visitors and a host of activities. This year’s festivities will be expanded to include more live music, more kid-friendly options and more food trucks including Misiericordia Hearts and Flour, Calabria and Pollo Locuas. Children’s and adult beverages will be available.
Performing music are inspirational singer Gincy Hartin, a local jazz ensemble and the Over the Side Band, a popular cover band.
New this year are limited edition tote bags featuring a beautiful water color of Ridge Park by famed artist Judie Anderson. Anderson will be will be on hand to sign the bags also and she has donated the original artwork to be auctioned off at the art fair.
For the kids there will be two bounce houses (one will be just for the little ones), and Twistcity with two amazing shows, one with giant bubbles and the other with balloon twisting.
As a Chicago Park District cultural center, Ridge Park offers rich and dynamic programming that will be highlighted throughout the art fair and festival. The John H. Vanderpoel Museum Gallery is located in the fieldhouse through the Chicago Park District’s Arts Partners in Residency Program, which unites artists and communities in Chicago’s parks. The gallery hosts a world-class collection of Impressionist paintings and other late 19th and early 20th century paintings and works on paper. Ridge Park Art Fair attendees will have the opportunity to take guided tours of the Vanderpoel Museum, as well as of the park facilities and ceramics studio.
Information about the Ridge Park Art Fair & Festival is available at www.ridgeparkartfair.org. For more information, contact Irene Testa, irene@vanderpoelartmuseum.org, or Mary Jo Viero, mjviero@yahoo.com.
