Art in the time of Corona: Chris Froeter Paints Portraits of Small Business Owners in Evanston

Click on the white arrow in the orange circle to listen to the interview from your browser, or visit soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni

Evanston Made member artist Chris Froeter has found a creative way to support small businesses in Evanston during the stay-at-home order.

He’s taking requests for commissions on Instagram @chrisfroeter_art to paint a shop owner's portrait, for $200 each. He’s asking people to send selfies instead of taking their photos himself.

When the portrait is done, he gifts the portrait to the shop owner along with $200 cash! Can you imagine anything nicer? A free portrait and cash. John Kim of Backlot Coffee is one such store owner who has benefited from this project!

Listen to our conversation about this giveback project and where the idea came from.

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Up to something interesting? And a member of Evanston Made? Reach out to thelisadshow[at]gmail.com with an interview request!

Evanston Made is designed to connect Evanston artists and creatives with the public through programming, events, exhibits and more. Join as an artist, arts producer, arts patron, etc. at evanstonmade.org/membership/

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with Lisa Degliantoni and creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery at 1100 Florence Ave in Evanston, IL.

Valerie Kahan Invites Evanston Kids to Chalk their Blocks!

Click on the white arrow in the orange circle to listen to the interview from your browser, or visit soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni

This might just go down as one of the bleakest Spring Breaks in the history of Spring Breaks, but Valerie Kahan has fun and creative art  projects for families to enjoy at home!

Valerie, founder of Art Makers Outpost, invites kids to create chalk art on the sidewalks and upload to social media. All photos of chalk art will be put into a virtual art gallery at artmakersoutpost.com

From Valerie: We are all in this together♥️ Make Art & Stay Creative! Join us in our chalk art challenge: create a beautiful design and inspiring message for your block! Tag us at @artmakersoutpost

Also find out about the Rube Goldberg contest, the deadline is extended to April 30,

Lastly, although all the Art Kits are sold out, once things get back to normal, there will be more to purchase!

We're grateful to Evanston Made members who are making these shelter-in days easier for families.

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Up to something interesting? And a member of Evanston Made? Reach out to thelisadshow[at]gmail.com with an interview request!

Evanston Made is designed to connect Evanston artists and creatives with the public through programming, events, exhibits and more. Join as an artist, arts producer, arts patron, etc. at evanstonmade.org/membership/

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with Lisa Degliantoni and creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery at 1100 Florence Ave in Evanston, IL.

Art in the Time of Corona: Contemporary Folk Art by Kathy Halper

Click on the white arrow in the orange circle to listen to the interview from your browser, or visit soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni

Art in the Time of Corona: this interview celebrates a pivot artist Kathy Halper had to recently do to keep things moving forward despite the world shutting down.

Kathy and artist David Gista were scheduled to have an exhibit at 1100 Florence Gallery this April, a contemporary space in Evanston. David is stuck in Portugal and Kathy had a new body of work ready to exhibit.

So, 1100 Florence launched the Sidewalk Art Gallery Presenting Kathy Halper Landscape Paintings, where the public can gave lovingly at her new works, from a distance!

Chicago River Walk, 16” x 20”, Oil on Canvas, 2020, $700

My hometown is known for its architecture. Taking a boat ride down the river is one of the best ways to appreciate it. Inspired by Matthew Wong’s brilliant blue palettes and sense of pattern, I created the city as I see it.

Listen to our conversation about Kathy's Contemporary Folk Art you can see from the sidewalk this April! And no, there will be NO opening reception, we'll get arrested!

"Folk art with its voice rooted in simplicity and honesty feels like the little candle I need in my life right now. I am taking inspiration from folk art, fauvism, expressionism, and pop to create a new contemporary folk art. This work makes me very happy. I hope you feel the same." - Kathy Halper

1100 Florence Gallery is an artist-run contemporary art space dedicated to showcasing artists in Evanston and the world.

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Up to something interesting? And a member of Evanston Made? Reach out to thelisadshow[at]gmail.com with an interview request!

Evanston Made is designed to connect Evanston artists with the public through programming, events, exhibits and more. Join as an artist, arts producer, arts patron, etc. at evanstonmade.org/membership/

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with Lisa Degliantoni and creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery at 1100 Florence Ave in Evanston, IL.

Art in the Time of Corona: Jamie Thome's Public Art Installation on Seward

Click on the white arrow in the orange circle to listen to the interview from your browser, or visit soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni

Art in the Time of Corona Interview Series 

w Evanston Made Members 

The "Art in the Time of Corona" interview series features interviews Evanston Made members about the projects that have come to life during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Listen to my conversation with Jamie Thome about her public art installation, outside her house on Seward Street. Below is Jamie's call for people to engage with the work and to create their own.

For the past few days, I've been making an art installation (of sorts) outside, on the tree in front of our south Evanston two flat. I'm using embroidered words that were part of an installation I did in 2016 at the People's Church in Chicago (all over the huge second floor sanctuary's overlook into the main sanctuary---lots of words, lots of embroidery thread). 

I'm adding a word a day, taking a picture, sharing on my FB page, and hoping that people walking by on their daily get-outside-for-some-sunshine-and-fresh-air-while-also-staying-6ft-away-from-others moments will enjoy seeing them.

I'm also inspired by Lisa's putting a window gallery up at 1100 Florence, and hope this is my way of doing that sort of thing, since my windows aren't easily seen from the sidewalk.

My CHALLENGE to you all, the most awesome artists in all of the world, is to create something outside of YOUR place as well, for the same reason. Post here, post on your page, add to it each day, or whatever you want. Share your work in a new way, with the outside world, and spread love and kindness and beauty for those walking by. 

AND!! If you're a fiber artist or are painting on rocks, or have something to add (that won't damage the tree), and would like to add to MY installation outside of our two flat in south Evanston, PM me and I'll send you the address. I'm happy to see how it could change with other collaborators' contributions. 

Let's make art happen, all over Evanston, apart, but TOGETHER.

 Jamie works primarily with books, collages, installations, and layering oil pastels on top of things. As a teaching artist, she visits public schools to integrate the arts into the classroom curriculum and works at the Evanston Public Library as a library assistant wherever she is needed.

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Up to something interesting? And a member of Evanston Made? Reach out to thelisadshow[at]gmail.com with an interview request!

Evanston Made is designed to connect Evanston artists with the public through programming, events, exhibits and more. Join as an artist, arts producer, arts patron, etc. at evanstonmade.org/membership/

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with Lisa Degliantoni and creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery at 1100 Florence Ave in Evanston, IL.

Art in the Time of Corona: Rachel Rosner Launches Evanston Loves Nature Coloring Book

Click on the white arrow in the orange circle to listen to the interview from your browser, or visit soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni

Art in the Time of Corona Interview Series 

w Evanston Made Members 

The "Art in the Time of Corona" interview series features interviews Evanston Made members about the projects that have come to life during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Listen to my conversation with Nature Evangelist Rachel Rosner who worked with a team of Evanston Made members to create the Evanston Loves Nature coloring book. This project has been in production for quite some time, but got pushed up and put online, just in time to get kids busy with art projects they can do from their windows while indoors and home from school.

This coloring book, along with several other Earth Month events, provides Rachel the platform she needs to help people learn to love and care for the environment.

In working with Evanston Made Co-Director Liz Cramer, and artists Ron Cramer, Shruti Vijay, Mardy Sears, Lisa Haskin and Jane Sloss, Rachel was able to provide kids ages 4-18yo with activities to help them engage with Evanston green spaces.

Rachel is a member of Citizens Greener Evanston, "(CGE) works to make Evanston a more environmentally just, sustainable, and resilient community. Our vision is to have Evanston recognized as one of the most environmentally sustainable cities in the country."

We are grateful for Rachel and the team of creatives who made this coloring book happen! The coloring book is available for download at evanstonmade.org/evanston-loves-nature-coloring-book/

This coloring book is part of Art for Earth Month, just one of many activities and events planned in Evanston to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! Learn more at evanstonmade.org/art-for-the-earth/

Up to something interesting? And a member of Evanston Made? Reach out to thelisadshow[at]gmail.com with an interview request!

Evanston Made is designed to connect Evanston artists with the public through programming, events, exhibits and more. Join as an artist, arts producer, arts patron, etc. at evanstonmade.org/membership/

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with Lisa Degliantoni and creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery at 1100 Florence Ave in Evanston, IL.

Art in the Time of Corona: Ben Blount Launches New Letterpress Poster Line

Click on the white arrow in the orange circle to listen to the interview from your browser, or visit https://soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni

Art in the Time of Corona Interview Series 

w Evanston Made Members 

The "Art in the Time of Corona" interview series features interviews Evanston Made members about the projects that have come to life during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Listen to my conversation with letterpress artist Ben Blount who created a new line of posters with inspirational and directive messages like; Keep Your Distance. 

Ben is placing these posters in the window of his studio at 1123 Florence Avenue. He was inspired by Amanda Evanston's "Thank you helpers" banner on her front porch at Florence and Dempster and the virtual gallery and "Everything will be okay" signs at 1100 Florence Gallery at Florence Avenue and Greenleaf. 

With a new studio schedule during the Covid-19 outbreak, Ben is seeing new pedestrians in his window everyday (go wave at him 7-9a) and is mulling over crowd-sourcing messages for his next batch of posters. We're grateful for creatives like Ben who live and work in Evanston, they help raise the bar for all of us to be better neighbors and busier artists! 

Reach out to Ben directly to purchase one of these cool new posters for your window at blountobjects.com

Up to something interesting? And a member of Evanston Made? Reach out to thelisadshow[at]gmail.com with an interview request!

Evanston Made is designed to connect Evanston artists with the public through programming, events, exhibits and more. Join as an artist, arts producer, arts patron, etc. at evanstonmade.org/membership/

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery at 1100 Florence Ave in Evanston, IL. Learn more about host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow.blogspot.com

Art in the Time of Corona: Alice George Launches Four Hands Collab

Click on the white arrow in the orange circle to listen to the interview from your browser, or visit https://soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni

Art in the Time of Corona Interview Series 

w Evanston Made Members 

The "Art in the Time of Corona" interview series features interviews Evanston Made members about the projects that have come to life during the Covid-19 outbreak.

This series begins with artist Alice George who launched the Four Hands Collab, an initiative launched in 2019, and adapting now during the COVID-19 crisis—encouraging collaboration, including everything from parallel-play to co-creation. Special focus on art-makers living in Evanston, IL, but open to anyone.

Joyce Elias

Alice invites creatives via prompts, to share work on her website gallery. The next deadline is 3/29 at noon, Challenge #2 What Sustains. Learn how to participate at alicegeorge.org, and upload images to Instagram using #fourhandscollab #evanstonmade

Up to something interesting? And a member of Evanston Made? Reach out to thelisadshow[at]gmail.com with an interview request!

Evanston Made is designed to connect Evanston artists with the public through programming, events, exhibits and more. Join as an artist, arts producer, arts patron, etc. at evanstonmade.org/membership/

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery at 1100 Florence Ave in Evanston, IL. Learn more about host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow.blogspot.com

Amy Gertler's Evolution of Dissolution Exhibit

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Outsider artist and divorce attorney Amy Gertler's exhibit, The Evolution of Dissolution (Disillusion) takes viewers on a dark, whimsical, satirical journey of love, marriage and divorce.

On display at 1100 Florence Gallery March 7 - 20, 2020, will be sculpture, paintings, found objects and new works by Amy Gertler.

This conversation follows Amy's inspiration for the show (her late father's 1970 presentation on the "Ideal Marriage" and Ellen Greene's Midwestern! Punk! Mom! DIY Retrospective), her career as a divorce attorney, and the mashup of art/work/life that many of the installations are based on.

Join us for the Opening Reception, Saturday, March 7, 6-9p, at 1100 Florence Gallery in Evanston as part of the First Saturday Evanston Art Events produced by Evanston Made.

First Saturday Evanston Art Events happen monthly, and invite the public to experience Evanston's Art Scene at art openings, pop up sales, community art making and more. It's a great day to Collect Evanston Art. List below of free events, open to the public.

Open Studio: Gillian Muller-Greyz, 1423 Hinman Ave., 10a-4p

Sarah Chapman (jewelry), Steve Skinner (pottery), Darlys Ewoldt (metal sculpture), SPACE900, 816 Dempster St., 10a - 8:30p

Melissa Ann Pinney, Open Studio Project Gallery 901, 901 Sherman Ave., 3-5p

Dana Phillips, Ice House Gallery, 609 South Blvd, 5-7p

Chris Froeter's “Voices”, The Saw Room at Alley Gallery, 1712 Sherman Ave., 5-8p

Kristen Neveu & elisa ann lindstrom, Creative Coworking, 922 Davis St., 5-7p

Cécile Trentini, One River School of Art + Design, 1033 Davis St., 5-7p

Amy Gertler, 1100 Florence Gallery, 1100 Florence Ave., 6-9p

Ben Blount Studio Party, 1123 Florence Ave., 6-9p,

De Colores Group Show, 2113 Greenleaf #6, 6:30-8:30p

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery. Learn more about host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow.blogspot.com

Cécile Trentini's Daily Walking Exhibit

Click on the white arrow in the orange circle to listen to the podcast from your browser or visit https://soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni

Artist Cécile Trentini hated to exercise until she added a simple twist, art making. This is how it went, walk for 15 minutes at a high speed then stop and take a photo, turn around, walk back. She then printed the photo on fabric, collected 100 of such photos and created a quilt. Over the quilted pieces, she sewed painterly elements with thread. The end result is a healthier Trentini and a elegant collection of painterly quilts.

This conversation covers the life of this project to date and where it plans to go.

See Trentini's work on display at One River School in Downtown Evanston, 1033 Davis Street. Opening party this Saturday, March 7, 5-7p. Work is on display thru March 20.

Artist Statement

I sew, I dye, I print, I walk, I take pho­tos, I col­lect, I cro­chet, I stitch, I draw...

I de­sign and dis­card, I plan pre­cise­ly and de­cide in­tu­itive­ly, I work in large and small for­mats, I love the rhythm of re­­pe­ti­tions and ex­plore the di­ver­si­ty of vari­a­tions, I de­fine rules of the game and play with serendip­i­ty, I work with va­­­lu­able ma­te­ri­als and with every­day ob­jects...- Cécile Trentini

See more work at https://www.ceciletrentini.ch

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Cécile's opening exhibit is part of Evanston Made's First Saturday Evanston Art Events, free happenings across Evanston the first Saturday of every month. 

First Saturday Evanston Art Events, 3/7. Experience Evanston's Art Scene at art openings, pop up sales, community art making & more. #collectevanstonart

Open Studio: Gillian Muller-Greyz, 1423 Hinman Ave., 10a-4p

Sarah Chapman (jewelry), Steve Skinner (pottery), Darlys Ewoldt (metal sculpture), SPACE900, 816 Dempster St., 10a - 8:30p

Melissa Ann Pinney, Open Studio Project Gallery 901, 901 Sherman Ave., 3-5p

Dana Phillips, Ice House Gallery, 609 South Blvd, 5-7p

Chris Froeter's “Voices”, The Saw Room at Alley Gallery, 1712 Sherman Ave., 5-8p

Kristen Neveu & elisa ann lindstrom, Creative Coworking, 922 Davis St., 5-7p

Cécile Trentini, One River School of Art + Design, 1033 Davis St., 5-7p

Amy Gertler, 1100 Florence Gallery, 1100 Florence Ave., 6-9p

De Colores Group Show, 2113 Greenleaf #6, 6:30-8:30p

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery. Learn more about host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow.blogspot.com

Audrey Nifennegger's Grand Artists Book House Plan!

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Beyond excited to share this interview with Audrey Niffenegger on her grand plans to bring Artists Book House to life inside the Harley Clarke Mansion in Evanston, IL.

Listen to our discussion on her ambitious and exciting plan, where she's gathered a growing number of book artists, talented board, architect and landscape architecture team to make this dream a reality, all in the name of Art Books!

The Artists Book House proposal is presented to the City of Evanston on Feb. 28, see how you can get involved either with a letter of support or a financial pledge. at artistsbookhouse.org

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery. Learn more about host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow.blogspot.com