For its 34th year, the Craft League of Urbana-Champaign brings the community together with local artists and crafters. The annual Art Fair promotes local artists and interests as well as sharing knowledge about various crafts and the fine arts.
Held at the Urbana Civic Center, the 34th Annual Art Fair will be Saturday November 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday November 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Over 30 artists will be participating this year in the juried exhibition. Craft league members include: jeweler Jill Bush, painter/drawer/printmaker Rosalind Faiman Weinberg, quilter Deborah Fell, designer/weaver Bobbie Johnston, glass worker Athan Y. Chilton, bookbinder Tanedra Ashley-Wannemuehler, ceramicist Jacqueline L. Worden, ceramicist Bill Heyduck, woodworker Charlie Sweitzer, glass worker Dawn Manire, and many others. So, the fair looks to be a good chance to bulk up your personal art collection, find unique gifts for family members, and support your local art community
In order to find out more, I interviewed jeweler Beverly Fagan (creator of the rings pictured left), one of the Art Fair chairmen and a member of the Craft League of Urbana-Champaign (or CLUC).
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Smile Politely: The Annual Art Fair is a juried exhibition. Can you explain how the jury was selected and how they made their choices? For example, is the jury made up for Craft League of Urbana-Champaign members or community members asked to participate?
Beverly Fagan: The jurors are members of the Craft League. In the first few years the art fair was only open to Craft League members, but anyone may apply and jury into the show now. There are a few exhibitors from other communities exhibiting again this year.
SP: What are you looking forward to the most about CLUC’s 34th Annual Art Fair?
Fagan: I am looking forward to having a great attendance by the local community. The art fair was started by the Craft League members as a way to expose our work to the community and as a way for people to make purchases from local artists. Before then, many of the Craft League members had open houses in their homes to sell their work. This art fair is a great way for the Craft League members to expose their art work together and a chance for people to meet and talk with the artists. It is an event everyone looks forward to each year.
SP: Is there anything different about this year’s fair?
Fagan: This year’s art fair is going to be really good, like always, with a few past exhibitors back who were not here last year.
SP: That sounds fantastic. Can artworks be purchased from the artists at the fair?
Fagan: Yes, of course, everything in the art fair is for sale.
SP: Ooo, so I can pick up some early Christmas and birthday gifts for my family and friends. How does one become a member of the CLUC? Do you have to be a working or professional artist ? Or can you be an amateur?
Fagan: Anyone may become a member of the CLCU. People do not have to be an artist to become a member. You can send your name, address, phone number, email address, and $15 annual membership fee to The Craft League of Champaign-Urbana, P.O. Box 23, Urbana, IL 61803-0023. You will be contacted by email about the next meeting and any other information sent out. We meet the first Tuesday of each month in the center food court at Lincoln Square at 8am to exchange information and ideas.
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The 34th Annual Art Fair hosted by the Craft League of Urbana-Champaign will be held Saturday November 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday November 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m at the Urbana Civic Center (108 E. Water Street). Admission is free. Visit CLUC’s website or 40|North’s website for more information about participating artists and the Craft League of Champaign-Urbana.
Sarah Keim is a contributing writer for Smile Politely’s Arts section. She’s a bit of recluse on social media, but you might bump into her out in the wilds of C-U. Frequent sightings occur at local breweries and movie theaters.
Sarah Keim is a contributing writer for Smile Politely’s Arts section. She’s a bit of recluse on social media, but you might bump into her out in the wilds of C-U. Frequent sightings occur at local breweries and movie theaters.