INAUGURAL 'ART IN THE VILLAGE' FINE ART SHOW A HUGE SUCCESS

'Art in the Village', sponsored by the North Shore Art League (NSAL) and Jameson Sotheby's International Realty on June 21 and 22, celebrated the homecoming of an art fair to Winnetka, as well as NSAL's 90 year history in the village.  This exceptional show featured over 70 booths of juried artists showcasing a diversity of artwork, including oil and watercolor painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, digital art, wood and metal sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, jewelry and glass art.  This national fine arts fair brought artists from as far as Belgium, Oklahoma, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin as well as distinguished artists from throughout Illinois and the Chicago area.     Awards were generously sponsored by NorthShore University HealthSystem and The New York Times.  Jurors for the awards were Jessica Feith and Nicholas Vahlkamp.   'Art in the Village' award winners were:  Best of Show: Joe Ruck of Rolling Meadows, IL, Oil Painting; Second Place: Gary Stretar of Spencer, Ohio, Oil Painting; Third Place: Keith Grace of Rockford, IL, Mixed Media.  Four Honorable Mention awards were given to: Mark Dziewior of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, Bronze Sculpture; Carmel and Michael Schramm of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Mixed Media; Scott Burns of Urbana, IL, Digital Art; and William Oistad of Wilmette, Painting.   The added attraction of a Silent Auction tent with artwork donated by the 'Art in the Village' exhibitors and NSAL Board member artists yielded proceeds of close to $2,500 to benefit the NSAL school and outreach endeavors.     The next major NSAL exhibition will be the 90th Annual Members' Art Show and Art-In Bloom, September 5-13 at the Winnetka Community House, which features member artists and faculty whose talents and support have sustained NSAL for nine decades.  The 9-day exhibition will open with a Benefit/Birthday Party and Silent Auction on September 5 from 6:30-9:30 pm.  Cost is $60/person in advance; $70 at the door.  The chamber group, "Sorriso", will perform a diverse repertoire of classical music during the opening reception.  The exceptionally talented and accomplished musicians include violinist Emelia Suljic, violist Solena Rizzato, cellist Daniel Kaler, and pianist Amber Scherer.  For more information regarding the Members’ Art Show, please contact the North Shore Art League office at 847-446-2870 or e-mail at nsal@sbcglobal.net.     Photo Caption:  (from left) NSAL Board Member Mal Poland, Best of Show winner Joe Ruck of Rolling Meadows, and NSAL Financial Administrator Susan Katz pose inside Ruck's tent after receiving his ribbon and award.  Ruck creates a bold impressionistic style in his artwork using a brayer (roller) as a fine art painting tool.  (Jan Loew Photography)