Talented artisans, vendors and musicians come together when the revitalized Lake Meadows Art Fair celebrates its fifth anniversary June 20–21 in Lake Meadows Shopping Center, 35th and King Dr. This free, fun-filled family-oriented event is organized by Helen Y. West, Bronzeville art dealer and former gallery owner. The fair expands on many of the ideas conceived by Dr. Margaret Burroughs, who in the 1950s organized the original art fair.
“As an artist, educator and founder of the DuSable Museum of African-American History, Dr. Burroughs recognized the need to showcase the talents of local African-American artists,” said West, who for five years has focused on expanding the circle of participation to a nationally and ethnically diverse group of talented artists from across the country. Besides painters, sculptors, glass blowers and other visual artists, the fair offers clothing, jewelry and accessory designers, musicians, singers and other forms of talent. Families, local businesses and others come together to honor Black presence in all areas of the arts.
Each year, an artist is named to represent the arts community. Nationally acclaimed Dale Washington, whose paintings are mostly abstract imagery, has been selected. His work deals with everyday people and situations from ****s to landscapes, jazz clubs to fish fries and everything in between depicting urban lifestyle. A self-professed “obsessive-compulsive,” he creates in all media, using “whatever is available at the time.” He’s exhibited at Gruen Gallery, Steele Life Gallery, South Shore Cultural Center, Southside Community Art Center, Beverly Art Center, Hyde Park Art Center among other galleries across the U.S.
In keeping with the historical legacy of honoring persons who’ve made significant contributions to the arts and to the community, LMAF will present the 2009 Art Organization Leadership Awards to Diane Dinkins Carr, president, South Side Community Art Center; Joan Gray, president, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago; and Patric McCoy, president, Diasporal Rhythms. The three will be honored on June 21 at 3 p.m.
Live jazz music on the main stage will spotlight vocalist Al Mack, the bass baritone singer whose voice is often likened to Billy Eckstein, Arthur Prysock and Johnny Hartman. He performs with his quartet on Sunday at 4 p.m. On the Lake Meadows stage for the first time: Ari Brown Quartet with Brown on tenor sax on Saturday at 6 p.m. The Ken Chaney Xperience returns with pianist Chaney on Sunday at 4 p.m. On Sunday at 6 p.m., Emmy-winning vocalist Joan Collaso whose international blend of jazz, R&B, blues and gospel takes centerstage. DJ LaRay Reddin fills in with mellow sounds. Emcees: Deborah Crable, Don Rashid and Redessa Harris. “The Bronzeville community is a major cultural destination for the arts in Chicago, and I’m excited, honored and humbled to play a role in its continued evolution,” said West. “It’s also encouraging to have local businesses like Draper & Kramer and Lake Meadows Shopping Center partner with us as we continue to grow this historical, artistic institution.”
Posted By: Daniel Moss
Thursday, June 11th 2009 at 5:12PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
