Turn family photos into works of art

Add comment September 23rd, 2009

The works of Marjorie Peer, who uses computer software to convert old and new photographs into art that looks like traditional-style oil paintings, will be displayed through October at Wesley Willows.

Wesley Willows retirement community, 4141 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, will host an art show including Peer’s work tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Peer is owner of Peer Canvas.

Disabled create works under local artists’ watch, sell at benefit

Add comment September 21st, 2009

You’ll soon be able to buy art created by developmentally disabled participants of programs at the Barbara Olson Center of Hope under the supervision of local artists.

The Inspired to Paint event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23 at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort, 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford. Cost is $35 and includes an Italian buffet and optional wine tasting. Reservation deadline is Oct. 20. Call 815-964-9275, ext. 228.

The show will feature works from artists including Ingrid Dohm, Jenne Coe, Nancy Anderson, Darcy Allen, Toni Cacciatore and Mary Rosenditch. Along with participants’ art for sale, works created by more than 17 artists will be available through silent auction, as will gift baskets.

The Barbara Olson Center now is serving 193 partcipants.

Greenwich features food, and of course, art, at fair this weekend

Add comment September 14th, 2009

Go for the art but stay for the food, or vice versa, at this weekend’s Greenwich Village Art Fair on the grounds of the Rockford Art Museum.

Along with 125 artists displaying and selling their works, the fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday features:

* A crepery from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Attorneys Marcia Mueller and Chuck Prorok will make individually prepared sweet and savory crepes.

* An omelet station the same time on Sunday.

In each three-hour period, the duo cranks out about 150 servings of each item.

Vendors also give samples and sell gourmet foods, wine and beer. Plus there’s a bar.

The event raises money for the museum.

Public art presentation today on E. State

Add comment August 13th, 2009

ROCKFORD — A 12-foot-by-12-foot mural created by three recent Rockford high school graduates will be presented to the public at 11:30 a.m. today  at 508 E. State St.
The work is a painting of words with a message that revolves around “be,” as in “be compassionate, be involved, be unique.” The 508 E. State Mural hangs on the west-facing outer wall of the 5 Spa building. The artists who made the mural are Paley Nordlof, Naomi Flores and Christine Rogers.
The ELEMENT, a city initiative to enhance the arts downtown while marketing and developing housing for artists, headed up the project with the help of Rock Valley College and financing from the Rockford Park District.

Artist who grew up in Oregon, Ill., unveiling Reagan statute Friday

1 comment August 12th, 2009

Donald Luppen Reed — who was born in Rockford, grew up  in Oregon and has a studio in Beloit — will unveil a life-size statute of President Ronald Regan in Reagan’s hometown of Dixon on Friday.

Dixon officials commissioned him to create the 9-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Reagan on horseback. It is entitled “Begins the Trail” and features a youthful Reagan. Reagan lived in Dixon from 1920 to 1933. The sculpture will be the centerpiece of Dixon’s newly built Heritage Crossing riverfront plaza on the banks of the Rock River.

Reed operates his studio in Rivers Edge Foundry in Beloit, Wis.

Derby raises $1,000 for arts group

Add comment July 29th, 2009

The Rockford Rage roller derby league is donating $1,000 to the Rockford Area Arts Council as a result of its Starving Artist art sale where members and artists sold their works for $600. The other $400 came from proceeds from the group’s bout the same day on July 25 at the Indoor Sports Center in Loves Park.

Derby member Jan Fosse builds a sculpture of roller skate wheels, which was sold to benefit the Rockford Area Arts Council. (Katy Mull photo)

Yuk it up at Rockford yoga class or explore your previous life

2 comments July 22nd, 2009

For months,  abstract artist Roni Golan has been getting local folks to laugh about whatever it is they’re doing  through a laughing club at his Rockford studio, Golan Lieberman Gallery, 2209 E. State St.

Now, he and others he’s joining forces with are offering classes on “life regression — exploring your previous life through a journey in time,” speaking peacefully, breath therapy and more yukking-it-up experiences through yoga. He’s calling the new venture of classes “In Balance.”

For more information: 815-979-1944, ronigolan@earthlink.net.

Corporate sponsor dip trims Unforgettable Art profit

Add comment May 12th, 2009

The numbers are in regarding the local Alzheimer Association’s Unforgettable Art live auction of 50 artists’ works. And the big one dropped: The April 4 event at the old Rockford Marina building downtown netted $41,000, down from $51,000 last year.

“The place that we were hit the hardest was with our corporate sponsorships, which were down in turn due to the downed economy,” Kate McEnaney, senior manage of special events for the Greater Illinois Chaper of the Alzheimer’s group, said in an e-mail.

Even so, other numbers looked good, she said: Deb Bozien’s painting sold for $2,075. Last year, her abstract painting sold for $2,000, the highest ever.

(Deb Bobzien painting at home this year before Unforgettable Art. Register Star photo.)

Also, the addition this year of an auctioneer to assist the emcee raised the average donation for the paintings. And expenses were down because of those who donated everything from canvas to art supplies to linens, she said. About the same number of people attended this year as last: 350.

“The economy may have hurt us a bit, but overall, this event was truly our best Unforgettable Art to date,” McEnaney said.

Octomom performance art

Add comment April 7th, 2009

You just gotta see this to appreciate it.