PHOTO GALLERY, Sept. 17, 2016 / Small sampling of 130 artists and volunteers preparing to open by 10AM along Jackson Avenue and the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville. Featuring artists from throughout the U.S. and as far away as Israel, the Naperville Art League presents the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair from 10AM-5PM Sat., Sept. 17, and Sun., Sept 18, 2016. Admission is free. Visitors and sunshine are welcome. Enjoy the visual images and musical sounds of the vast array of juried art.
[shareprints gallery_id=”64911″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”0″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]”Creative minds came up with a novel way to kick off Naperville’s very first Riverwalk Fine Art Fair,” noted Linda VanderKolk, president of the Naperville Art League, when she provided a brief history of the fine art exhibit.
Thirty-one years ago, members of the Naperville Art League invited the community to a reenactment of Georges Seurat’s painting, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” a painting that is part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection.
To recreate the painting, Naperville Art League members spent months sewing costumes, gathering props, developing a riverside plan, scheduling photographers and the press, and informing the public of the event. On a warm September day in 1985, Naperville Art League members took their places by the river and the new art fair they were promoting became the talk of the town.
Riverwalk Fine Art Fair has grown and is now recognized as one of the nation’s best juried fine art fairs, attracting international artists, too. The show continues to be a source of pride with the nearly 200 art league members who, under guidance of Executive Director Debbie Venezia, plan, organize and host the event each year.
The event, held downtown along the attractive, award-winning Riverwalk, draws thousands of visitors to downtown Naperville where they also can enjoy shopping, dining and the permanent outdoor art of Century Walk.
The corporate community sponsors the event, and this year the League welcomes back their presenting sponsor, Main Street Promenade along with corporate sponsors Cadillac of Naperville, and Naperville Bank and Trust.
Visit the Naperville Art League Info Booth (Jackson at Webster) to purchase current and past collectible art fair posters and banners, pick up class information, and learn about membership.
The League owns and operates Naperville Fine Art Center & Gallery, at the corner of 5th Ave. and Center St.
Presenting 130 juried artists!
Open to the public, the Gallery features monthly shows of members’ original art and a gift shop. Naperville Art League offers a variety of classes and workshops for adults and children, hosts an annual Public Art Competition, and presents a number of special events.
For the latest news, visit www.napervilleartleague.com.
Make it a weekend to enjoy all the shops and dining in downtown Naperville, too!
