Summer Solstice Art Fest 2009, June 20-27
A Celebration of Arts & Music to Benefit Chicago 6 Corners
By Your Friends at Chicago 6 Corners (David & Scarlett), June 15, 2009
David Shuey here, offering the gist of the Summer Solstice Art Fest: 7 unique events over 8 nights. The bands will be blazing. The DJs sizzling. The short films, poetry and visual arts, soul stirring. It's BYOB and NO charge at the door, so that means NO excuses. However, if you bring a pocket of $1s and $5s – and your check book and love for art during the week-long auction then you can personally contribute to Chicago 6 Corners. All proceeds go towards maintaining the website, and keeping you informed on local happenings.
Who knows? Maybe you'll be inspired and contribute your future talents to the C6C webzine. Reach us here to contact an editor, or see what topic may be of interest.
Again, click the flyer to the right for schedule or skip below for full write-ups on the bouillabaisse of artists. Ok, Scarlett Stoppa, our Dandy Warhol of curators, kick it ...
Curator’s Note: Two years ago I found myself in a particularly blissed-out in-love-with-life moment prompted by the range of creative talents surrounding me. Chicago, it seems, is both a Siren Call to artists and a Renaissance Incubator – rare is the local who doesn’t possess a range of skills in several mediums. Like a collector, proud of his good taste, I wanted to show off this impressive posse surrounding me. But I also wondered at what might be created if all these creatives came together. New friendships, fresh love, spontaneous collaboration, symbiotic partnerships, dancing, laughter, creative courage where once there was fear of failure – the possibilities were limitless! Out of this dewy-eyed admiration and innocent optimism the Summer Solstice Art Fest was borne. Year One was a modest affair, a few friends, some loose gatherings. Year Two required a schedule, a spreadsheet, more help and several Flickr photo albums. This year’s fest – the 3rd Annual – had me convinced we’d reached the Final Hoorah. Something that had started simple and spontaneous had tangled into a complicated production. Then the art began to trickle in. And I remembered why I love instigating this collaboration: each lovingly produced painting, poem, pot, pinata, photo, poster, song, shoe, bike, book, craft and film represents our human attempts to open hearts, make connections, rally change and express that expansive feeling that comes in those moments when we are overwhelmed with love and wonder.
Chicago 6 Corners would like to extend thanks to all artists and art-lovers who contributed their time and creations to this collaboration, with a special thanks to those who made generous donations of their work for an art auction that will help Chicago 6 Corners to continue covering local issues, events, and people overlooked by both mainstream media and Chicago’s blogosphere.
Chicago 6 Corners Presents the 2009 Summer Solstice Art Fest:
Calendar of Events
Saturday, June 20 :: Opening Night
7:30 p.m. – Lounge on the back lawn for Night Jogger (Rebecca F - electric guitar, Colin McGeehan - strings) "When it's too hot to run in the day, you become...a Night Jogger."
8:45 p.m. – Head upstairs to peruse the art and dance to DJ Jump Cut.
Sunday, June 21 :: Short Film Night
8 p.m. – View films by Adam Snow, John Shane, Nate Pietsch, Robert Puccinelli and Steve Albertson.
Nate Pietsch’s Liquid: The story of one man's heroic effort to run the 2008 Chicago Marathon after a night of hard drinking.
Robert Puccinelli's Trailers from the Future: In one word: bent. The director wants to add his sadness to seeing the Bush administration go. He's missing the neoconservative hordes, and the inspiration they've given so many artists, such as in this 2nd Bush term series of trailers. Includes one woman's quest for her own 9"/11" (in the bedroom).
John Shane’s Rock and Roll Island: On the trail of a missing rock star, music journalist Leo Pankovitz uncovers a secret island inhabited by celebrities who have faked their own deaths. Once on the island, Leo finds the missing rock star but soon Leo finds out that a conspiracy is behind this mysterious place.
John Shane has been writing and directing for a number of years now. His last project was an adapted short film called The Long Silence After. John Shane has previously produced the sketch comedy series "Reel Cool Time." Before that, he and his brother Andre made the short film "Shotgun Love." John is currently working on the pilot for an animation sitcom called "Rock and Roll Island." He also produces and works on TV, film, and corporate video. John comes from an American Russian background and studied painting at Northern Illinois University where he received his BFA.
Tuesday, June 23 :: Soul Collage
7:30 p.m. – Jean Fitzgerald leads Soul Collage. Soul Collage is an intuitive collaging process of moving cut-out magazine fragments around intuitively. Jean will guide the group through their first card, and then we will make card interpretations – and ultimately poetry – all in 90 minutes! Bring snacks and old magazines.
Wednesday June 24 :: Wellness Night
6:30 p.m. – The middle of this week of marvel and mayhem is a perfect time to pause for a little self care. Come enjoy the exhilaration of yoga led by Caren Jeskey, the relaxation of massage by Emily Grider and Laura Hughes, and the healing libations of Scarlett Stoppa. Bring fruits and vegetables if you've got 'em.
Thursday June 25 :: Live Music
8:30 p.m. – Weather permitting, we’ll be on the lawn again, this time for Republic of Lights, five people from Chicago who play pop rock. Noblewomen have been known to describe them as “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.”
10 p.m. – Run upstairs just in time for dance party orchestrated by DJ Maxabstrax.
Friday June 26 :: Open Mic, 9 pm
9 p.m. – Come one, come all. Bring your freak on + 3 friends. Emcees David Shuey & Mojdeh host a night of open call music/poetry/spontaneous-shit-storms as well as early featured acts, including: The Mojdeh Project, Gregory Pickett, D-Nick the Microphone Misfit & DJ Maxabstrax.
Talent Partner: www.lethalpoetry.com
Saturday June 27 :: Closing Night, 7:30 pm
7:30 p.m. – More backlawn serenades from Leaf Bird. Leaf Bird sounds like, "Slow rolling blue and green heart explosion. Beautiful death by blunt love to the head. the Midwest. The blue skied day you got out of prison."
9 p.m. – Wandering Promotions seal the show with their musical kiss.
The Visual Artists
The first four artists stand apart as talented individuals, but they also stand together as romantic partners who collaborate and encourage each other in their artistic pursuits. As Willa Cather said, "Where there is great love there are always miracles." We can witness these miracles in the art they create. Liz Tuckwell and Joe Sikora are Summer Solstice favorites – they’ve contributed to the show since its inception in 2007 – who live, create and show together in the Flat Iron. Alice Dubois and Tim Campbell are new and welcome additons discovered and befriended right here in Lincoln Square.
We are pleased that Joe chose to show half of the collection for which he won the Curator’s Choice Award at the Around the Coyote Spring Festival (the other half of this collection can be seen around the corner at the Vegan Gallery). Chicago painter, Joseph Sikora graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the Herron School of Art in 2002. Before completing his degree, he studied at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and, abroad, at the Pont-Aven School of Art in Brittany, France.
Sikora has been finding artistic expression as a tool for growth and self-examination since his early childhood and has pursued his artistic calling with fervor. He has exhibited both locally and internationally for over ten years.
His evocative images pursue the heart of the human condition. He has an ability to recapture political, romantic, and fantastical moments in time with profound intimacy. He delivers with boldness, complexity, and passion through his vibrant use of colors and materials.
In His Own Words:
"My artwork is an investigation of everyday life in an urban, post-industrial environment. My uses of social and political issues are fused with images of seduction and desire, popular culture and ephemera, and the absurd, which becomes distorted through my own personal interpretation. From this, I reflect and create.
Often, I explore abstract, experimental handling of paint materials, which influence the informed possibilities of my more representational works. The surface and texture of my painting can obscure the form and space relationship; dissolving details, and implying a sense of movement. It is through my relationship with, and explorations of, my world and painting, I am, at my best, trying to express the inexpressible, and striving for a triumph of the human spirit."
Inquire about Joe Sikora’s work here: www.joesikora.etsy.com
Liz Tuckwell is a painter currently living in Chicago, Illinois. Shortly after graduating with a BA in Spanish from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, she relocated to Amsterdam, The Netherlands where she dedicated herself to her artwork and her love of travel. After nearly ten years of creating art abroad, she returned to her hometown of Chicago in 2005. The main focus of her work is oil painting, which can most accurately be described as Abstract Expressionism.
In Her Own Words:
"I truly began my painting career while living in Amsterdam with little more than cheap oil paints from a local Dutch market, a potato knife and paper. Later, I discovered the use of brushes, I discovered the canvas and the story begins to write itself from there. My paintings are stories that burst forth from within me, often times telling me a story about myself. If we see art as an investigation into being, then my paintings are my investigation into my being; I paint what I feel, or rather what I am feeling comes through on each canvas."
Keep up with Liz Tuckwell’s progress at her blog: liztuckwellpaintings.blogspot.com
Artist Timothy L. Campbell's spirited, primitive-style paintings explore narratives drawing on language, history, music, and his international travels. He possesses a philosophy that art should be within reach and a part of our everyday lives.
See Campbell’s artwork at flickr.com/photos/timothycampbell/
In Her Own Words:
"I am a full-time artist hoping I can make a living doing what I'm best at! I think my work is best seen in person, but here < http://www.flickr.com/people/artistalice/ > is a glimpse of what I have available and what I have done in the past. I also do commissions of anything (pets, people, etc) , indoor murals, mailboxes—you name it, I will paint it! My work is affordable and original. You don't have to be a millionaire to own art—art is an affirmation of the spirit, and it should be in our everyday lives."
Jean Fitzgerald uses paint to organize and understand space. Most work is made using oil on wood. The content of the paintings ranges from buildings and interior rooms to figures surrounding Jean's Chicago environment. Other creative endeavors include custom-designed murals for both residential and public settings.
Inquire about Jean Fitzgerald’s work here and keep track of her artist’s journey at her blog: www.heartjean.blogspot.com. Jean blogs regularly and they are always entertaining.
Andy Larson Andy is not only the designer of the promotional flyer for the last two Summer Solstice Art Fests (which look hot, sayeth this year's torch-bearer) he's also a contributor in all of the showings for three years running. A loyal friend and a talented painter and graphic artist/compositor, we're proud to once again have his – last minute – addition this year. Also look for a giant 5x5' piece of his his fab gal pal Cathy serving pancakes. Tasty.
In His Own Words:
"This piece is called 'Ukelele Closet, or the Ghosts of Paul Klee's Balls' and is a 2009 piece done with acrylic, collage, and wax on 11x14" canvas. I figure art's a hard sell in this economy,
so I would consider this an entry level piece for the proletariat type.
It would be ideal for a bathroom, I think."
Paul Klee's Balls! Enough said.
Since 2007, Meg Keys has been making parties around the nation a literal hit with her pinata designs. From bachelorette parties to birthdays, these exciting creations have been hanging from rafters and making parties a tad more special. Check out some of these creations at www.llavesdesigns.com, LlavesDesigns.etsy.com, and become a fan on Facebook.
Dan Grzeca is a painter and printmaker who is likely more familiar to you than you know thanks to his amazing posters for bands, which pop up everywhere around Chicago and beyond.
In His Own Words:
"I have been making hand screenprinted posters and prints for the last 10 years or so. I've made posters and artwork for bands such as the Melvins, Thursday, Vandermark Five, Peter Brotzmann, the Black Keys and many many more. All the work is printed in my studio and shop, Ground-Up. My painting process greatly affects the way I make my screenprints; in person the prints reflect a great depth in texture and color that is only hinted at in these images.. I strive as hard as I can to even make the humble show poster a thing of lasting art."
Keep track of Dan Grzeca’s creations at dangrzecaart.blogspot.com
Henry Thompson
Henry believes his approach to his art is best summarized by a quote from a 50’s California potter named Marc Bellaire: “I’m a potter who thoroughly enjoys the process of creating pottery. If I happen to create a beautifully finished piece, then it’s an extra dividend.”
Ryan Palma
Ryan likes sneakers, street art, and smoking.
In His Own Words:
"well, art is art, isn't it? still, on the other hand, water is water! and east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. now, uh... now you tell me what you know." (groucho marx)
Adeline is a Chicago-based digital imaging artist. (ed note: And she has some pretty snazzy scarlet-colored hair to boot, sayeth David, the umpteenth redhead at C6C.)
Additional artists include Alex Brown, Andy Larson, Dan Patrevito, Danielle Deschaine, Darlene Grossman, Dave Moore, Dave Wade, Emily Grider, Emma Monks, Erin Jacobson, Kimber Monks, Midge Dinou, and Noah Phipps.
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Who are YOU going to see? Write a comment below, and let us know.
Thanks to everyone involved in putting on the Summer Solstice Art Fest...and to all the kind folks who came out to see and listen! It was such a treat to get to play for such a welcoming audience--and to hear so many other great voices. Sorry I had to cut out early...hope the rest of the night was grand!
Much love to y'all.
Posted by: Shelley Miller | June 27, 2009 at 01:10 AM