Arts & Crafts Shows in Illinois
The state of Illinois has many thriving small towns and cities in addition to its largest city, Chicago, that host arts and crafts shows. By examining a list of some of the shows in the state, you can make an informed decision about the type of show you wish to attend.
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Gold Coast Art Fair
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For over 50 years, the Gold Coast Art Fair has brought artists, art lovers and everyday Chicagoans together in a celebration of arts and crafts. One of the largest of the American art festivals, the Gold Coast Art Fair features around 450 artists and as many as 350,000 visitors. The city of Chicago has a vibrant artists community with several art fairs produced annually, but the Gold Coast Art Fair ranks above them all in sheer volume of art, artists and visitors.
Antioch Arts and Crafts Faires
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Antioch Illinois hosts an Arts and Crafts Faire for each season of the year in their picturesque downtown. Hosted by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Arts and Crafts Faires features over 140 booths of hand-crafted goods for summer and fall. The first fair begins indoors in February, followed by the outdoor Jewelry and Accessory Faire in May. The Summer and Fall Arts and Crafts Faires take place on Father's Day Weekend and the weekend after Labor day, respectively. The fairs attract between 5,000 and 12,000 visitors with free admission for all.
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Illinois State Museum Shows
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The Illinois State Museum sponsors the Illinois Artisans Program to help bring national attention to the artists and artisans working in the state. Admission to the program requires participants to go through a rigorous admissions process. Once the program accepts the applicant, they may display their art at the various Illinois State Museum stores. The museum also features the work of these artisans at a variety of arts shows at different locations within the state.
The McLean County Arts Center Shows
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The McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington, Illinois began in 1870 when Mrs. Horace Smith began teaching oil painting in her local studio. Since its humble beginning, the center has grown to prominence within the community and features a Spring Bloom Arts Festival. The festival takes place at the Bloomington Sale barn and attracts approximately 1,600 visitors. The fair features arts and crafts in a variety of disciplines and awards first, second and best in show to its best participants. The center has also run the Sugar Creek Art Festival in Normal, Illinois for over 25 years. This outdoor arts festival in downtown Normal, near Illinois State University, features around 140 artists working in a variety of arts and crafts.
The DIY Trunk Show
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Members of the Chicago Craft Mafia designed and organized the DIY Trunk Show as a hip, Chicago oriented show featuring arts and crafts with a do-it-yourself angle. The founders encourage a variety of types of arts and crafts and promote the notion that handmade crafts represent deeply personal and even political expression. Anyone who creates their own crafts may participate with a fee of $80 with a table rental fee of $11 with table sharing encouraged. The show best suits those who prefer an edgier, more urban, expressive type of crafting.
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References
- Amdur Productions: Gold Coast Art Fair
- Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Arts and Crafts Faire
- Illinois State Museum: Illinois Artisans Program
- McClean Country Arts Center: History
- McClean County Arts Center: Spring Bloom Art Festival
- Pantagraph: Sugar Creek Arts Festival Returns to Uptown, Quad
Resources
- Photo Credit quilted christmas tree image by Katrina Miller from Fotolia.com
