We Have Your 2016 Guide to Art on Harrison

Twenty-one years ago, Art on Harrison was a Friday-night gallery walk intended to build publicity for the newly emerging Arts District in Oak Park. This year, the event spans two days, features live entertainment and music in addition to traditional art, and has a theme.

Aptly themed “Halloween,” the event will take place a week before the famously fearsome holiday, starting Friday, Oct. 21 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and continuing Saturday, Oct. 22 from 12 p.m. through 8 p.m.

“Spooky events, spells, artist receptions, live music and brews within the galleries, shops and eateries will all be happening on Friday night,” event planners announced on the Oak Park Arts District website. “And on Saturday, there will be more art, music, hocus-pocus, hands-on crafts and eye of newt for the whole family to enjoy together.”

Oak Park knows no Halloween event is complete without trick-or-treating, so don’t worry — participating businesses will be handing out goodie bags and participants can collect treats from different stations they visit. Costumes are encouraged, though planners ask they stay family-friendly.

Here’s a guide of everything that you have to look forward to in a couple of weeks, via the Oak Park Arts District website:

Friday Night’s Schedule of Events

• Expressions Graphics: Drop in to the not for profit printmaking collaborative to make 5 Cards for $5. Make your own hand printed cards using stamps and stamp pads! The gallery will be having a Silent Auction Print Sale. Come by and make a bid! Art Items will also be on sale from wood cutting tools, cans stretcher bars, to Stamp it Up stamps! 29 Harrison St.
• Dancing Krow Studio: The artist collective hosts the musical act AT LARGE and Nine Waves Out Soap Company dishes up pumpkin pie soaps while supplies last. 6-10 pm. Give a listen. 43 Harrison St.
• Bead in Hand: The jewelry design studio is celebrating Day of the Dead with a drop-in workshop. Make a pair of themed earrings or a charm using stone skull beads. $10 per item includes materials. 6-9 pm. See the craft. 145 Harrison St.
• Royal Health Care: The chiropractic office hosts Brian W. Kelley, a local artist from UCP Seguin, who will draw caricatures of you in your Halloween makeup or costume. Treats and free art from Brian too! 147 Harrison St.
• Gallery PINK: Kelly Donahugh’s exhibition COLLAGE will be on show, 6-9 pm. 149 Harrison St.
• Buzz Cafe: The cafe kicks off the evening with a Local Artist Spotlight reception. October’s guest artists are Laura Keyser and Morgan Standish. Then, it’s time for Burgers, Beers and Bands. BYOB and listen to Blues musicians Mike Felten and Murphy Thompson while you eat. From 5:30 pm. 905 S. Lombard Ave.
• Musikgarten of Oak Park: For one night only, the children’s music studio will be transformed into an art gallery featuring a teacher, a student, and a potter extraordinaire. The works of award-winning painter George Ceffalio, his student Amy Abbott Pappageorge, & brilliant potter Pennie Ebsen will be featured. Come enjoy an art-filled night! Beautiful paintings and pottery, a cornucopia of treats from Ms. Beky’s family-owned bakery Seph’s Sweets, and live classical music from Anastasia Mousouli and friends. 6:30-9 pm. 907 S. Lombard Ave.

Saturday’s Schedule of Events

• Expressions Graphics: Drop in to the not-for-profit printmaking collaborative to make 5 Cards for $5. Make your own hand printed cards using stamps and stamp pads! The gallery will be having a Silent Auction Print Sale. Come by and make a bid! Art Items will also be on sale from wood cutting tools, cans stretcher bars, to Stamp it Up stamps! Janet Schill will teach Solar Plate Photo Etching. $35 fee ($25 for members) plus a $5 photopolymer plate fee, 1-2:30 pm. 29 Harrison St.
• Art Gecko: Families can stop in to create a Day of the Dead craft project. Instruction and materials will be the studio’s “treat." All ages, but anyone who needs help using scissors must bring a helper. 1-4 pm. 41 Harrison St.
• Dancing Krow Studio: Stoneworks Shamanic Healing will be holding a Collective Gratitude Despacho Ceremony. A despacho is a bundle of sweets and goodies (all biodegradable) loaded up with prayers of gratitude and intentions, wrapped up in paper, and sent to Spirit. After building the bundles, participants will bury them in the Dancing Krow Studio garden so that the prayers are given to the Earth Mother to mulch away. All guests are invited to participate in this beautiful ceremony. 1-4 pm. 43 Harrison St.
• Studio 144: It’s Scary, It’s Creepy, It’s Spooky, It’s Crawly: It’s craft time with the kids at Studio 144! Join them for fun Halloween crafts while supplies last. Each craft project will include wood board and a vinyl Halloween expression of your choice for $10 each. Painting the board is optional. 12-4 pm. 144 Harrison St.
• Bead in Hand: The jewelry design studio is celebrating Day of the Dead with a drop-in workshop. Make a pair of themed earrings or a charm using stone skull beads. $10 per item includes materials. 12-5 pm. See the craft. 145 Harrison St.
• Gallery PINK: Kelly Donahugh’s exhibition COLLAGE will be on show, 1-4 pm. 149 Harrison St.
• Buzz Cafe: The neighborhood favorites hosts its annual chair painting plus pumpkin painting too! 905 S. Lombard Ave.
• The Actors Garden: During Saturday’s class time hours, the studio welcomes Art on Harrison Trick or Treaters. 909 S. Lombard Ave.
• Yoga Trek: Come in costume for a Halloween-themed Family Yoga Class! A fun-filled hour-long yoga class for all levels and ages! This class will explore standing poses, sun salutations, partner poses and stretches with fun interactive games to round it all out. Come in a group of two or more. Recommended for adults and children ages 3-12. Children must be accompanied by an adult to attend. Cost: Adults – $12, Children – $4, 3-4 pm. 911 S. Lombard Ave.
• Whispers from the Moon: Tap into timelessness and joy while you work with simple art materials. Experience Art for the Soul, 10 am – 1 pm. $33 for one session. Registration required. Please ring 708.717.0758. The art and wellness studio will be open to all guests after the Art for the Soul class. 235 Harrison St.
• Val’s halla Records: The record store hosts artist Jen Ryan Furlong whose work you may recognize from local murals. She will have her work on display and will be painting in the shop, as well. 239 Harrison St.
• Taleblazers Creative Writing Workshop: Art on Harrison at Taleblazers means howling fun! Register for two creative writing workshops. At the Spells Workshop, write your own fantasy spells. Perform them if you like. Beware, magic is in the air! Min 3/Max 10 students. $25.00 Writing materials included. Ages 7-12. 10-11:30 am. And at the Potions Workshop, create your own cool potions recipes. Mischievous or marvelous? It’s up to you. Min 3/Max 10 students. $25.00. Writing materials included. Ages 7-12. 3-4:30 pm. Register at www.thetaleblazers.com. 331B Harrison St.

Reminder: Harrison St. will NOT be closed to traffic during Art on Harrison.

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