The Artists on the Bluff Summer Arts Festival, located on the Village Green in Lake Bluff, offers an intimate setting that celebrates local artistic talent. This event, now in its 26th year, continues to focus on the vision and creativity of local artists.
Among the participants, children from Lake Bluff such as Remy Dobbins, Olivia Evans, and Reese Hrusovsky engaged in creating original Father’s Day cards, showcasing the festival’s commitment to community involvement and creativity among all ages.
The festival director, Alison Tompkins, highlighted the importance of fostering connections between artists and the community. This year’s event featured 29 artists, many from Lake Bluff and others from within a 100-mile radius. It was a free event held over the weekend, with art displays open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, supplemented by live music, local food trucks, and activities for children.
Participants displayed a diverse array of artworks including watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, pastels, sculpture, photography, pottery, collage, wood-work, mixed media, and jewelry. This variety illustrates the unique and often locally-inspired creations of the artists.
Highlighting the festival’s distinct approach, artist Christiane Bouret from Skokie pointed out the less commercialized nature of the show. Bouret appreciated the freedom artists have to create work true to their vision, unswayed by commercial demands. Pencil artist Phil Schorn praised the event as a ‘hidden gem’ that features skilled artists showcasing excellent work.
Attendees like Matt and Katie Frekko from Lake Forest see the festival as a meaningful community gathering. They appreciate its manageable size and the opportunity to explore contemporary artwork without feeling overwhelmed.
Annette Dezelen from Lake Forest, a longtime attendee, values the ability to engage with local artists who have become friends over the years. She describes the event as a place to discover one-of-a-kind treasures.
Through its emphasis on local talent, the Artists on the Bluff Summer Arts Festival plays a significant role in connecting art with the community and fostering artistic expression within an intimate setting.