On May 21st and 22nd, the Oak Park Arts District will be celebrating their Tenth Anniversary of What’s Blooming on Harrison.  We are excited to have over 40 artists participating in this year’s event which highlights Emerging Artists.  Mixed in amongst those emerging artists you will also find those who have been a part of the art community for many years!  So, how are we celebrating?

Luminaries will line the street Friday night between 6 and 10 p.m., as we kick off the weekend with open galleries and businesses.  Many of the galleries will have special events and activities INDOORS.

On Saturday, between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. you will find a wide range of talent as the street is filled with artists displaying their work both indoors and outdoors. Galleries and artist exhibits include handcrafted jewelry, paintings, ceramics, pottery, glass, mixed media, photography and fiber art. This is an excellent time to shop for that unique birthday, graduation, or father’s day gift.

Want a fun way to get from Ridgeland to Austin?  Take a ride with Rickshaw Rick. He will be giving free rides from one end of the Arts District to the other and back.

Did someone say ‘music?’

Friday night you can enjoy music live at Val’s Halla, 239 Harrison Street, starting at 8:30 p.m. when the Mendelssohn’s play their original mix of folk and blues.

On Saturday, the following bands will be performing at various times and venues throughout the day*.

Groovy Sparrow, electric/acoustic - rock/folk
The Farmers Daughters, acoustic - folk/bluegrass
The Farmers Market Trio, acoustic - folk/bluegrass
The Harrison Street Ukelele Players, acoustic
The Jazz6 Ensemble, electric/acoustic - jazz
Chris McIntosh & Alvin McGovern - acoustic - folk
PING, electric - rock
Revanators - folk & blues mix
Rough Around the Edges, acoustic alternative - folk
Ukulele Club of Oak Park, acoustic

See the schedule here.

Of course, you can’t have music without a little dancing…

Two dance groups will be performing on Saturday:

Smoke Belly Dance Troupe will have 3 dancers and
Halau I Ka Pono - Hula School will have seven dancers dancing

Both groups will be performing at (or outside of) Intuit Dance

Click here for the schedule.

Yes, we have plenty for the children to do too!

Saturday:

KIDS VENUE:   12:00 - 4:00 p.m. at 200 Harrison Street

ARTIST RECEPTION:   2:00 -4:00
200 Harrison

Art Start Artists Exhibit 12-4:00
Reception 2-4:00 cookies & juice

The display will consist of student artwork, including quilts, a mural, “stained glass” designs, paintings and stitchery.  Young visitors can also paritipate in our “Make Your Own Masterpiece” activity table, raising money for Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF) for $5.00/artist.

The OPEF brings artists, architects, scientists and technology experts into K-8th grade classrooms at every District 97 school.  You can learn more about Art Start here.

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TREASURE HUNT

Does your child like hunting for Treasure? Bring them to What’s Blooming on Saturday from noon-6pm.  where they will be looking for a Treasure Chest.  Start and end at  200 Harrison. 

Maggie Leininger will be teaching basic techniques of traditional indigo dye processes.  This is a hands on (if you want) event, taking place on Saturday.

Maggie will  have hand-silk screened t-shirts and bandanas that participants can purchase and individualize by dyeing it in a on-site indigo dye vat.  For those not wishing to purchase a shirt, bring your own cotton, linen or rayon shirt and learn basic techniques of traditional indigo dye processes from around the world. Great activity for all ages!

Maggie’s other project is on-going and you can be a participant in that too….

Ever been a part of an art scavenger hunt?  Now is your chance.  Try and find one of the 365 hand knit miniature sweaters made by artist Maggie Leininger that has been placed in a public location.  If you happen to be the lucky finder of one, you will be directed to Maggie’s web site to leave a monetary donation for La Casa Norte, a Chicago non-profit assisting homeless youth.

Please note, many of the studios/galleries will have activities for children… see the individual gallery information below for details.

What’s happening at the galleries and businesses on Friday & Saturday?

We have guest artists displaying their work,  felt and bead projects for children, an Auction to benefit Haiti, a gong meditation and so much more.  Find out all the details here.

Who are our Exhibitors?

We have ceramics, clay, jewelry, fiber, boots, mixed media & photography.  For a complete list and a word or two about the artist, click here.  To find their location on the street, go here.

A BIG thank you to our sponsors!

Wednesday Journal and Stillwater Creative Group