Evanston is so hip it has an Art Walk with almost 100 artists

From http://openstudiosevanston.blogspot.com/

Although the list keeps growing, we're ready to publish the first list of participating artists (alphabetized by first name) in Open Studios Evanston on October 11, 1-5 p.m. This website will promote each artists work with photos, bios and artists statements leading up to the event. A map will be available before Oct. 11. 

Adriana Poterash, Midwest Clay Guild
Alice George, Adler George Studio

Angela Lyonsmith
Ann Baker
Aydin Dincer
Barbara Seyfried
Beth Adler,  Adler George Studio

Bonnie Katz
Bridgette Schnider
Chris Heisinger

Clark Ellithorpe, Space 900

Colleen Conley, Space 900
Cynthia Von Orthol

Dana Shearin, Midwest Clay Guild
Darren Oberto, The Alley Gallery

Dave Ford
David Velasco, Perspective Group and Photography Gallery

David Yonan, Adiana Strings

Diane Thodos
Dominic Mosca, The Pot Shop

Donna Spencer, Perspective Group and Photography Gallery

Donovan Mixon, Space 900

Dustin Harris, Space 900

Emily Testa, Midwest Clay Guild

Erdmut Lerner
Evanston Dance Ensemble

Fay Kaiser, Voice Lessons
Heather Hancock

Jack Kraig
Jackie Lakely
Jane Carney
Jane Sisco

Janet Trierweiler
Jennifer Presant
Jessica Jacobs
Jill Birschbach, Midwest Clay Guild
Jill Brazel
Jill King-Wynn, Jill King Studio/Artists Seeds
Joann Rea
Joanna Kramer, Midwest Clay Guild

Joanna Pinsky, Space 900

Joe Taylor
Jon Weiss, Midwest Clay Guild
Joyce Elias

Judith Freilich, Space 900

Julie Cowan
Juliane von Kunhardt
Justin Hart, Midwest Clay Guild
Katherine Orr

Ken Avick, Space 900

Larry Geni
Laura Allen-Simpson
Lauren Levato Coyne
Lea Basile Lazarus

Lea Pinsky, Space 900

Lindsay Sherman, Midwest Clay Guild
Lindy Stockton
LP Lundy
Lynette Martin of Bottle and Bottega
Maggie Meiners
Matrthew J Schaefer
Mark DeBernardi
Mark McMahon, The Danon Gallery
Mary Graham

Matthew Schaeffer
Melanie Deal
Michelle Mallin
Mike O'Mara of Etc. Music School

Nadine Yadi Royster

Patricia Biesen
Paul Whitaker

Peggie Robinson, Space 900

Raissa Bailey
Ray Schooley, Midwest Clay Guild
Rory Coyne
Ross Martens, The Alley Gallery
Ruth Ann Begelman
Sara Piepmeier
Sheila Ganch
Stephen Lloyd
Susan Curry, Midwest Clay Guild
Ted Glasoe, Ted Glasoe Fine Art Photography
Tom Graham

Vanessa Filley

If you are interested in joining in the fun and want to open your studio doors to the public on Oct., 1-5 p.m. email openstudiosevanston@gmail.com

Swing Set Drum Kit at YEA Festival

Photo by Erika Anderson

Today from 10a-4p Dave Ford's interactive art installation, Swing Set Drum Kit, will be at the YEA Festival at Dempster and Hinman.

Stop by and swing and watch this fun, playful, silly art installation make music on a deconstructed set of drums.

If the line is too long, there will be sidewalk chalk to preoccupy yourself with.

Saturday: Public "Yarnbombing" Event at the Evanston Public Library

Press Release from the Evanston Public Art Committee

Come participate in a public "yarnbombing" event at the Evanston Public Library on February 8th. Knitters, crochet-ers, and fabric artists of all ages and experience levels are welcome to join as we bring string and color to the halls and streets around the Library.

BYOY - Bring Your Own Yarn (remnants, old favorites, etc.), needles, and supplies! This will be an opportunity to share what you have, whether it be supplies or crafty wisdom - we invite both! And start knitting today! We will try to incorporate prepared and recycled projects into the installation.

Have an old, "ugly" knit sweater laying around the house that you wouldn't want anyone to wear? We want that too! We'll put it to good use...or at least creative use.

What is "Evanston HeARTh" anyway?

The Evanston Public Art Committee is trying to get folks out of their homes and into warm public places this winter to encourage community-building and creativity to enliven what can be the solitary cold months. We are aiming for all of these events to be inter-generational and fun for all. We are also asking community members to help us help each other by bringing their own supplies. Not only will this let you really leave your mark on these art projects, but you'll be able to teach others with the supplies you've become an expert in using - that way even our neighbors who may be arts-and-crafts newbies can come and join as well.

Spread the word, spread the warmth!

Saturday, Feb. 8, noon - 4 p.m., Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.  

Art Opening: Dave Ford (my husband), Hauling Graphite: Five Road Recordings at Packer Schopf Gallery

Granted this is a blog about my family's move from El Paso, TX, to Evanston, IL, every once in a while I go way off topic and post a non-Evanston event or food review. I'm dedicating today's post to my husband, visual artist Dave Ford. He's with Packer Schopf Gallery and has a show that opens this Friday that you really should try your best to attend. Below is why.

This Friday, 5-8p, at Packer Schopf Gallery on 942 W. Lake St., meet Dave Ford and see his Truck Drawings.

Dave Ford / Hauling Graphite: Five Road Recordings / graphite on paper
Lines accumulate as Ford drives a 12′ truck with 100 pencil-tipped water bottle pendulums dancing above the paper lined bed. On the road, he checks the drawing, often sharpening pencils, sometimes removing or adding a bottle depending on where he wants a specific quality of marks or textures. After fifteen years and several Truck Drawing projects later, ‘panels’ from separate trips will be shown together for the first time. The burst patterns created by the bottles as Ford drives across the country evoke a grace that simultaneously jars with the truck as medium and flows with the rhythm of travel.

5 Runs: Dallas to New York, El Paso to Falls Village, CT, San Francisco to Las Cruces, NM, Santa Fe to Chicago, and Chicago / Philadelphia round trip.

Click here for an archive of Truck Drawing blog posts on fordart.wordpress.com 

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with Evanston, just like I did. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with me about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Also feel free to send me announcements about upcoming Evanston events and I will promote them here!

Video of a recent public art project by my husband, Dave Ford

Recently I wrote about being married to a visual artist (10.22.11: On marrying a visual artist, staying For Real and communal living in Chicago) and the benefits of choosing a spouse who helps you keep it real. I'd like for my readers to get to know my husband a little better, so that when I pitch the City of Evanston a public art proposal for the "Swing Set Drum Kit", you'll know what I'm talking about and back my idea!

The video above was taken of my husband's "Swing Set Drum Kit" that he was commissioned to create for a public art festival in El Paso, Chalk the Block. The festival is geared toward children, with a variety of chalk drawing activities, performances, etc. Dave's piece was ideal for this festival and there was a long line of children waiting to swing during most of the festival.

Click here for a slide show of images of the event, to include Dave on the cover of the El Paso Times.

Thank you in advance for your support, I totally think this piece would be great for the Evanston Art Center right around spring.