Joliet's Waywards Art Haus Opens At Sue Regis Glass Art Studio

JOLIET, IL ?Joliet artist Angelica Aguilar has opened her Waywards Art Haus in downtown Joliet across from the Joliet Public Library, taking over the space used as the Sue Regis Glass Art Studio. At last weekend's grand opening gala, Joliet's popular gifted glassblowing artist, Sue Regis, was on hand to mark the occasion. Regis closed her art studio because of her health challenges.

"Once I can return to work, I will be joining forces with Angie, and we will work as a unit," Regis informed Joliet Patch back in March. "Angie is taking the risk to put herself out there as an artist by taking over a studio space, as well as for taking over a space where I can return when I?m ready. I am forever grateful to Angie for doing this, so that all I have built over the last 25 years can continue, just in a different form. Angie has always called me the 'hometown hero,' but, in my eyes, she is now the real hometown hero."

During Friday's interview, Aguilar told Joliet Patch she was thrilled to finally open.

"It's an open house. You can sign up for the newsletter, the workshops that are available. You can kind of meet some of the artists that are involved, too," she remarked. "There's going to be a concert tonight, all girl bands, really just showing Joliet what it's all about."

Patch asked when Aguilar planned to keep Waywards Art Haus open.

"Everything's pre-made, so the workshops that are open ... you sign up for, and then I'll have, like every other Tuesday, where it's just an open studio and people just come in and walk around."

As far as the art that Waywards will sell to people, Aguilar had this to say:

"All sorts of everything, really," she said. "It's all my personal art that's being sold and created here. Everything that anybody does in workshops, they get to take home. So it's really just my giant art house."

Aguilar agreed Regis has made an enormous impression on her and Aguilar's own art work.

"Sue is one of my best friends in the entire world," Aguilar explained. "She's my mentor, she's the person who's believed in me from the beginning. And it was the easiest decision to take over here until she gets healthy again because now she has somewhere to come home to."

The Waywards Art Haus is also geared for drawing more kids in hopes of developing their creativeness and interest in the arts.

"There's nothing for kids, anywhere," she said. "It's going to be affordable. There's a multi kids discount. There's an elderly discount. There's a military discount. I'm trying to get people involved as much as possible."

To find out more, visit the website for Waywards.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Sue Regis: 'I'm Inspiring People To Make Positive Life Changes'

'Joliet Is Thriving, We're Ready To Rock' Campaign Unveiled

Joliet's 5 New Sculptures: Buy Raffle Ticket To Win 1