St. Charles Fine Art Show Inspires Amid Cloudy Skies

Saturday morning’s cloudy weather could not deter Debbie Kusek from Carol Stream from attending the St. Charles Fine Art Show. “It’s always sunny in the world of art. Viewing original artworks is always wonderful. It inspires,” Kusek remarked while observing oil paintings at the weekend event held in downtown St. Charles. “It’s an opportunity to explore various techniques and ideas,” she added.

The St. Charles Business Alliance and its sponsors organized the 28th annual St. Charles Fine Art Show. It took place along Riverside Avenue between Main Street and Illinois Avenue. The event showcased more than 110 juried artists presenting diverse art forms, such as ceramics, digital art, wood, sculpture, jewelry, glass, oil, watercolors, and photography.

Jenna Sawicki, executive director of the St. Charles Business Alliance, noted that the artists were chosen from a pool of over 150 applicants. “More than 50% are returning artists, and we have many new participants to keep the event fresh,” she said. “Many visitors come back to see their favorite artists, but they appreciate discovering something new.” She also mentioned an increasing presence of mixed media and digital art, reflecting current trends, alongside traditional clay, ceramics, and watercolors.

The show attracted artists not only from the local area but also from states like Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Iowa, and even from Canada. Sawicki stated that the event draws approximately 10,000 attendees over the weekend and fosters a positive relationship between the city and local businesses. “Our mission is to drive traffic into our businesses. We organize the event while our brick-and-mortar stores offer special deals,” Sawicki explained.

She emphasized the importance of art appreciation and supporting creative work. “Visiting an art show is important, especially now. It allows people to appreciate beauty and the creative process,” stated Sawicki. “Supporting creativity can bring joy.”

Artist John Carman, originally from Wayne and now residing in Free Soil, Michigan, participated in the show and expressed his admiration for the event. “I’ve attended this show before, and it’s one of my favorites. I know many people here,” he shared. “The organizers do a fantastic job. I love the layout with the main street and the offshoots. It’s substantial but not overwhelming. I’ve been to shows with thousands of artists, and it’s excessive.”

Evan Bierman of St. Charles attended with his 5-year-old daughter, Sophie. He valued the event for offering art for their home. “We’re looking for art for our daughters’ rooms and our living room,” he said while examining photo prints by Chris Bergstrom of Omaha, Nebraska. “We moved from the city three years ago and need to fill our space. I’m drawn to colorful, vibrant art for the kids,” Bierman commented.

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.