Evanston Made 2017 Tour

For 4 years in a row, Evanston Made has been held the first weekend of June.

Evanston-based artists open their private studios for one day only, so the public can see where they create. In addition, local businesses partner with artists to display their work all month long (if not on a more long-term basis, like Stumble & Relish).

The Evanston Art Center also hosts a pop-up shop, designed by Anomaly Productions, which features functional art by local artists, including me.

I have some of my swarm and angels in the shop this month, and helped with setting up other merchandise on June 1.

It was fun to peruse the other beautiful creations in the store, and help place them in the display Amy Amoroso had set up.

The art work includes assemblage vignettes, prints, booklets, keychains, leather bags, fiber fashion for kids and adults, ceramics, home decor, spark syrup, greeting cards, and jewelry.

My swarm had a whole new arrangement I would not have thought up myself.

On June 2, we had the Evanston Made opening party, and customers began perusing the store.

The Art Center’s Evanston Made Exhibit features numerous Evanston Artists with one piece each.

The art work is very vibrant this year.

Spark Syrup offered samplings in addition to the bar and nibbles.

3-D art is also welcomed.

Numerous people showed up to peruse the art work and support their artist friends.

Pantsuit Nation by Melanie Deal, which has a red dot, is one of my favorite pieces in the show.

Ben Blount’s framed print is already claimed, but you can pick up unframed prints in the pop-up shop.

Jason Brown had created location-specific installation art for the exhibit.

My Daisy Dots Constellation is on view as well.

I enjoyed the fabulous response on opening night, and loved watching people peruse all the items in the store.

Artists attend the pop-up on a rotating basis during Evanston Art Center’s Business Hours until June 30.

Meanwhile, the exhibit gave a sneak peek at the types of art to be featured during the Saturday Artist Tour.

One Dragonfly fluttered off to be gifted.

Spearheaded by Lisa Degliatoni, participating venues are plotted on a map by IDG, so Evanston residents can stroll their neighborhoods and get to know their creative neighbors.

I visited my friends Lauren and Rory Coyne first. With Rory’s venture into Coyne leather, the layout of their home studio had changed quite a bit.

Then I visited Ben Blount, who helped people create prints onsite.

A staged home became an artist coop showcase, with the dining room featuring Ellen Greene.

FUSEDChicago member Katsy Johnson was also represented.

Because of the tight schedule, I drove to the various clusters of artist studios. On Sherman, Platform had a wonderful new installation.

Then I visited Jason Brown and Yadi in a garage near her living quarters.

Then I needed lunch, which I got at Curt’s Cafe, which also has rotating exhibit, and is helping young ladies learn skills in the food industry to get their careers going.

Lea Pinsky and Dustin Harris showcased the murals they create in Chicagoland. Their work is on Church Street in Evanston, and they are assisting the Main-Dempster Mile in more beautification.

Then I headed over to Florence to peruse the vibrant artists street there, and discovered the Rembrandt Chamber Musicians, where singer Josefien Stoppelenburg had her music-themed paintings.