Main & Luxe - October / November 2022 - All Things Art _

Main & Luxe Naperville

LOCAL ARTIST LOOK BOOK!

2022

Oct Nov

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Contents & Credits Founder / Direction / Layout Ashley South, Bluehouse Publishing Inc. Senior Editor Christina Balsano Wichmann Cover Artist Maggie Rubin, Aqua Love Studio Design Johnny Garcia | Urek Media All rights reserved

Gina Riley, The Carpenter’s Daughter

06 Artist Look Book 18 Update your collection!

Art for All

At Naperville Library

08 Art All Around Us 20 Give Back A message from Ashley

Academy of the Arts

26 Capturing a Likeness At Naper Settlement

27 Poetry Corner

With Michael Todd Fink

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See and Be Seen

22 Art/Design Merge 27 Glimpse of Gourmet

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Artistic License

24 Art House

Events and neighbors!

Art in our community

In Finland

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30 Queen of Arts Debbie Venezia

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Promoting The Enjoyment of Life Through Created Outdoor Environments Since 1985

Update your

By Ashley South

This issue is meant to be a showcase for local artists. Outside of periodic fairs that can include vendors from outside our state, where do you find such local creations? We found them. The art is as varied as the inspiration! See their additional works as you explore these pages!

Adrienne Harvey - Page 31

Geeta Rao - Page 13

Greg Mulvey - Page 21

Colleen Myerscough - Page 15

Gina Riley - Page 19

Heather Randazzo - Page 13

My medium is photography. Borrowing a term from literature - I liken my work to “magical realism” as I use my camera to look for the surreal and ethereal within the mundane. Fine art prints are available.

My company name is PaperLeo. I do block printing which used to be called linoleum block printing! I color some prints in with colored pencil. I fulfill custom orders, and other prints of things like superheroes and sports logos!

I am originally from Mangalore, India. I moved here 22 years ago. I’ve been making art for over 40 years and mostly use oil paints as the primary medium. Recently, I’ve started using acrylic and water colors. My figurative abstract style art is inspired by people and sights seen during my travel and also from childhood memories.

My business/studio name is The Carpenter’s Daughter. My style as organic, abstract and fluid - using both learned and instinctual techniques, I create with materials like resin, acrylic paint and pigments along with naturally occurring elements such as minerals, rocks, metals, glass, mica, sand to best express my feelings of connectedness and love to the Earth and ocean.

Cover Artist - Maggie Rubin - Page 8

My medium is digital and mixed media. And my inspiration is 80s nostalgia, synth-wave and cyberpunk aesthetic. I spent six years as the Lead Editor & Motion Graphics Designer for The Second City, the world’s foremost comedy theater and launching pad for the biggest comedy superstars on the planet.

I am a local mixed media artist and owner of Suncrest Studios serving the South Naperville area and beyond. I am known for my vibrant, fun, and feel-good acrylic paintings on wood, canvas and paper.

My studio name is Aqua Love Studio. I’m all about using my art for a positive impact!

I mainly work in watercolor, acrylic and collage.

“Dandelion Fountain” (on the cover) is a mixed media piece using ink, watercolor, acrylic and vintage Naperville and Illinois maps.

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Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Collection! LookBook Johnny Felix - Page 17

I am a resident of the Aurora area. The name of “TALENTO” is a reference to “TALENT”.

I use my artwork to motivate youth and adults.

What is unique about my art is that I use hologram glitter to create movement. My new trend “Urban Pulse” was inspired from seeing heart beat monitors in my local hospital.

Nicky Quartermaine Scott - Page 23

I own Studio Q. I live in Plainfield and have been working as an artist and designer for 8 years. My style has a soft, blended look that typically begins with a simple pencil drawing. At times, my art will remain in neutral, greyscale tones, or I will color a piece using acrylic paint, ink or digital illustration techniques.

Sarah Houle - Page 11

I am a painter originally from Downers Grove, IL, and currently based in Los Angeles, California. My art practice centers around play, tension + harmony, and naming the unseen. You can see some of my recent floral work streaming on Netflix’s “The Woman in The House Across The Street From The Girl in The Window”.

Meet these artists!

M&L’s Issue Release “Meet and Read” on Thursday, October 6th at 5:30pm at the Naperville Art League!

Kim Sowa - Page 17

I am an intuitive artist and photographer who works in mixed media and photography. I am grateful that through my own struggles, I am able to find peace while taking photographs and walking in nature. My personal message is this: Embrace the darkness with kindness because without it, we wouldn’t be able to close our eyes and recognize the light from the space within.

Mary Myers - Page 11

I’m an acrylic/mixed media painter. My style is Abstract Realism, specifically landscapes and florals. I paint on canvas and wood.

I have a bit of an obsession with painting small works on wood blocks!

Opportunity to win original works by the artists - see you there!

Details: www.mainluxe.com/events

Ron Jordan - Page 13

My title is owner of Brutal Grafx custom paint. I make murals, airbrush work, and custom designs along with digital work.

I also custom paint motorcycles and car murals.

Shuba Iyer - Page 21

My business is Kneaded Earth. Clay is my medium of work. I live on the south side of Naperville in the Forest View Estates subdivision. I create thoughtfully designed and individually hand-crafted pots with the intention of creating heirloom pieces to cherish for years to come.

Tami Kidd-Brown - Page 23

I have been a resident of Naperville for most of my life. My interest and love of art began during high school. One of my instructors was encouraging and a great influence on me. I truly believe that a portion of my talent has been inherited, as I come from a long line of artists on my maternal side.

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

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Art AllAround Message from the Editor

In mid-August, I found one of my

grandfather’s paintings on Ebay. Yes, Ebay. This would be a neat find for anyone, but mine was especially cool because I have been Googling Pawpaw’s art periodically for the better part of 15 years. This time, the search hit paydirt!

Ralph Clifford Forman was born in 1924. As a young man, he enlisted in the Army and served in WWII. His job during the war was as a mail carrier. As he tells it, he spent his time delivering mail while reflecting on the scenery around him. I can imagine that the scenes of war caused him to mentally escape into anything beautiful where he could find it. He was lucky to come home after the war and held onto his memories.

Within a few years of his return, Ralph attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He painted his memories off and on for decades.

Ralph C. Forman

In the mid-90s, after the memories—both good and bad—finally overtook his mind, our family made the decision to move him from his home into a care facility. My parents cleaned out his house and the cache of paintings and supplies. My parents kept a few of “the good ones” and sold the rest of the paintings at a garage sale we held at his house.

My parents put away the saved paintings into the basement where they remained largely forgotten. In the meantime, my mother’s brother became a prolific muralist: Paul Barker, of Googleplex Murals, whose work is in Cantigny and the Museum of Science and Industry, as well as Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos. As Paul added projects, my mother shared the family lore that my grandmother, Paul’s and her mom, was the first cousin of Edgar Degas, the famous French Impressionist. Surely, my family was magical in the art space, and something stuck in the back of my mind.

When I shared my recent discovery with my parents, my dad indicated that he had never seen the one I bought. Dad speculated that it was likely sold sometime in the 60s when the family was on extremely hard times.

During that conversation, my folks also reminded me that they had a flood in the early 2000s that wiped out all the rest of Pawpaw’s paintings. So, here I found a painting made in 1950, from memory of a war in 1944-ish, that was sold in perhaps the 1960s, and SOMEHOW, I Googled it before someone else purchased—72 years after its creation!

For this issue, we pulled in local artists who create new aesthetics by taking an image in their brains and bringing it into reality. We have a muralist, several canvas painters, a few wood painters, a ceramicist, and one that pulls different objects into a collage of art. We also bring you into the community of art all around us!

Ashley South

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Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Ashley’s grandfather’s painting found in 2022, created in 1950

Maggie Rubin

Instagram @aqualovestudio Facebook at Aqua Love Studio Etsy @ www.etsy.com/shop/AquaLoveStudio

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See & Be Seen Meet & Read: Oct/Nov Issue

Profiles in Action

Glimpse of Gourmet: LIVE!

Free! Meet the artists, features, writers, and fellow readers. We’re focused on weaving the community together.

Everyone is welcome - Join us! www.MainLuxe.com/events

$25. Connections. Cathy Subber, Owner of The Branch, brings our Feb 2022 profile to life! Attend our intimate workshop on how to discover a richer experience in your community. www.MainLuxe.com/events

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Thursday, October 6th 5:30pm to 8:00pm Naperville Art League 508 N Center Street

Thursday, October 27th 5:30pm to 8:00pm Liam Brex, Upstairs 222 S Main Street, 2nd Floor

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“A true sense of community stands out to me. Everyone says hello when walking around the neighborhood, We are so grateful to be raising a family in a community like this one.”

“I love South Pointe because it is so familyoriented, safe, and we have great neighbors. Also, we have a community pool and the houses are beautiful!”

“We love living here.

You can shop, eat, and stroll in the friendly atmosphere of this close-knit community.

It reminds me of the sitcom, Cheers: ‘Where everybody knows your name.’”

“What I love about living in Naperville is that it is a loving, giving, and caring community. I’ve lived here 20 years and just love it!

-Katie P, East Highlands

-Julieta F, South Point

-Mary K, Downtown Naperville

-Ratana T, Knoch Knolls

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Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Mary Myers

Website under construction! Purchase via direct contact to set up an appointment. Phone: 630-677-0375

To inquire about commissions, to see more original work, and to buy prints, visit: www.sarahhoule.com Follow Sarah’s studio process on Instagram @sarahhoulearts

Sarah Houle

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Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Ron Jordan

For commissions, www.brutalgrafx.net Phone: 630-880-3635; Email: rjordan308@aol.com Facebook at brutalgrafx

For commissions, email: suncreststudios@comcast.net For prints on canvas, or phone cases and more go to: fineartamerica.com/profiles/heather-randazzo Facebook at Suncreststudiosart

Heather Randazzo

Geeta Rao

Instagram @Art_affirmations A member of the Naperville Art League and Gallery Currently displayed at the Naperville Public Library on 95th Street

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Joseph Naper, by Dick Locher

Artist Les Schrader, c 1960

Courtesy of Naper Settlement

Artistic License

By Hilary Decent

From the bronzed fingers of two children

holding hands on a park bench at Jackson Avenue and Main Street to a reproduced fragment of Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte on the side of the Naperville Arts League Building, art is everywhere in Naperville. It’s both a reflection of the city’s past and a spotlight on the present. Unique in that it can both unite and divide people simultaneously, one thing is certain, the city’s art is always a talking point.

Streetview Artwork doesn’t only live in museums, of course. Walking the streets of downtown Naperville, your eyes are drawn to over 50 pieces of public art provided for us all to enjoy

by Century Walk, the city’s public art program.

Inspired by a 1994 art project in Chemainus, British Columbia, Naperville now has what is arguably the most comprehensive public collection in the Western Suburbs.

Dick Locher, the city’s most famous artist and legendary Dick Tracy cartoonist, was honored with a nine-foot-tall statue of Dick Tracy on the Riverwalk near the Naperville Township building. Locher’s design served as the basis for the bronze sculpture. The nine-and-a-halffoot bronze sculpture of Naperville’s founder, Joseph Naper, was also designed by Locher.

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The statue is at Naper Homestead, on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Mill Street.

Founded and led by Brand Bobosky since 1981, Century Walk has tirelessly helped produce work that is fun, colorful, informative, and sometimes controversial. “A quote from an unknown author that Century Walk has used is ‘Art is a vision of the soul that transcends morality,’” Bobosky said. “Thus an artist in a metaphoric fashion creates a work of art and upon the artist’s passing, the art remains his work for generations to come. This is all a form of transcending mortality and in some respects is good for everyone’s soul.”

Historical Art Eight years after Naperville’s founding, the first commercially successful form of photography, the “daguerreotype,” was invented by LouisJacques-Mandé Daguerre of Paris. It spread rapidly throughout the world, with studios popping up all over the country.

Naper Settlement has thousands of early photos in its collection — one of the oldest is a daguerreotype of Joseph Naper taken around 1857, which is too fragile for frequent display. The Settlement also has hundreds of photographs from the studio of Christian Kendig, one of Naperville’s first photographers.

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Kendig took many photos of Naperville families and advertised that portraits of children were a specialty.

The highpoint of the Settlement’s art collection is the complete collection of local folk artist Les Schrader’s 42 paintings. When the original Pre-Emption House was slated for demolition in 1946, he depicted it in a painting, launching a 35-year career as Naperville’s visual storyteller.

His collection is an excellent place to start any artistic tour of the city.

For Macarena Tamayo-Calabrese, Naper Settlement’s President and CEO, choosing just one favorite piece in their collection is impossible. “It’s like asking which is your favorite child; there are so many favorites,” she said. “In the end, though, the artists range in experience and notoriety, but one thing remains the same. We, as a community, have an insatiable desire to communicate who we are, what we’ve done, how we’ve lived, where we’ve been, and how we understand our world and our generations through art and throughout time.”

Fabulous Fairs The Naperville Art League also hosts the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair, which draws more than 50,000 visitors to the two-day event every

Fine Art and Artisan Fair, artist not disclosed

September. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy and purchase the work of more than 100 top artists from across the country, but not the only art fair in town.

Back at Naper Settlement, Naperville Woman’s Club has been hosting their Fine Art and Artisan Fair for more than 60 years. It’s been part of their mission for seven generations.

Attracting more than 100 artists and artisans, it features an eclectic mix of paintings, jewelry, fiber art and even furniture. President Nancy de la Hoz says: “It is the Naperville Woman’s Club reputation that attracts many artists around the country, giving them the opportunity to display interesting and diverse

One thing on which every art lover can agree is that Naperville’s art is an inspiration to us all. It can brighten a dull day or give us pause for reflection on a busy one. For those wanting to take it one step further, there are plenty of classes to try for all ages, from simple fun paint and sip events at Pinot’s Palette on Jackson Avenue to more structured courses at the Naperville Art League and Naperville Park District.

The Exchange,

by Don Hunt

Courtesy of CityGate Hospitality

works of art. These talented artists bring such unique creativity. During the two-day art fair (which takes place in June) many artists and art lovers have formed a bond and love returning each year to see what is new with the artist.”

Art Around the Arista Naperville’s love of art is contagious and newer organizations are keen to add their stamp.

There are original works of art throughout the CityGate Centre. They include a gallery of different painting styles related to jazz. On October 8th and 9th, they’ll be hosting one of their popular Artisan Markets, which will give visitors another chance to meet artists and buy eye-catching pieces.

Author: Hilary Decent Hilary Decent is a British freelance journalist who has embraced the Naperville community since relocating from London, England in 2007. Best known for her observational humor columns, she also enjoys sharing the stories of the people who call Naperville home.

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Kim Sowa

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Art for All At the Library

By Bethanie Hestermann; all photos courtesy of the Naperville Public Library

The Naperville Public Library offers a chance for everyone in the community—regardless of age—to explore, learn, and create. The library’s art programming makes art and creative learning accessible to the Naperville community in tangible ways, even for our youngest residents.

Erin Shinneman, children’s librarian at the Naperville Public Library, says free art programming gives families an opportunity to experience and enjoy the creative process together. “For children especially, art gives them an opportunity to develop skills, such as creative thinking and problem solving,” Shinneman says.

The library offers a few types of art programs geared toward different ages: Mini Masterpieces for birth to 24 months, Makerspaces for elementary schoolers, and Community Art Walls for art lovers of all ages. Each program offers a valuable opportunity for visitors to connect with their creative side.

Mini Masterpieces Designed for babies and toddlers and their adult caregivers, Mini Masterpieces offers a story time paired with a craft. The librarians select age-appropriate books that are interactive, have simple and repetitive text, and reinforce skills for the target age group.

Some favorite authors include Karen Katz, Eric Carle, Mary Murphy, and Keith Baker.

After the story time, children and caregivers work together on a simple craft, such as a special handprint or footprint keepsake. The library asks attendees to register in advance and limits the group to 10 child/caregiver pairs.

Let’s Go! The Naperville Public Library will offer Mini Masterpieces this fall and winter at all three branches. Please check the events page on the library’s website for dates and times.

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Makerspaces Makerspaces is a weekly, self-directed STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activity geared toward 3rd–5th graders. Each location has a designated area for Makerspaces that is available during after-school hours. The activities give kids the opportunity to think creatively and use problem-solving skills as they work independently.

Some recent Makerspaces activities have included completing engineering challenges (building a tall structure, a strong structure, a bridge, etc.), flying paper helicopters, designing/testing catapults, making tangram art, and playing math games.

Let’s Go! Each library location offers Makerspaces during after-school hours in its children’s department. Please check with individual branches to confirm hours of availability.

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Artist featured: Geeta Rao

Community Art Walls The Community Art Wall program was born from the library’s strategic plan to investigate opportunities for displaying public art as a means of increasing cultural programming and serving Naperville’s diverse population.

Library staff created the initial displays for the first art wall at the 95th Street Library in 2017.

Today, there are three display areas—one at each branch—available for exhibits of framed or mounted artworks by local artists, students in Districts 203 and 204 schools, and not-forprofit groups. Typically, exhibits are on display for three months before they’re replaced with something new. Artists interested in displaying their artwork can submit an online form found on the library’s website.

Shinneman has been part of the Community Art Wall program since the beginning. “Being able to give local artists and organizations an opportunity to share their talents with the community has been extremely rewarding,” she says. Community Art Walls are continuously on display at each location.

Check out the library’s Facebook page for examples of current and past art wall exhibits.

Why Art at the Library?

As Shinneman sees it, art and literacy complement each other, and the library is the perfect place to tap into one’s creative side. “In our story times, we focus on the five early literacy practices—reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing,” she explains.

“These practices help children develop the skills they need to become successful readers.

Art is applicable to many of the five early literacy practices. For example, children can use context clues from the illustrations in a picture book to predict what is going to happen next in the story. Drawing is one of the first forms of writing young children practice. Asking children to describe their artwork is a wonderful way to practice vocabulary skills. Lastly, art allows children to be creative and use their imaginations!”

From creating a mini masterpiece to enjoying others’ artistic talents on an art wall, the Naperville Public Library weaves art, literacy, and community together—and that’s a beautiful combination.

For more about the library’s offerings, visit www.naperville-lib.org.

Author: Bethanie Hestermann Bethanie Hestermann is a freelance writer and author. She’s written five animal-science books for kids, with a sixth being published next year. When not writing, she loves camping and traveling with her family. She earned her M.A. in Writing and Publishing at DePaul University.

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Academyof theArts

By Staci Hauk

Naperville is known for its rich, artistic

culture, with outlets for theater, fine arts, and music alike. However, for those looking for training in the performance arts, the closest options reside in the city. Enter the Academy of the Arts — a nonprofit educational institution that serves the Naperville area, coupling high-level arts and high-achieving academics. With a diverse portfolio of classes in dance, theater, and music, the aim to is offer quality programming worthy of big city recognition.

Ladd explained that in starting the Academy, the mission was clear — to provide careerspecific training that is often hard to hone in a traditional public school setting. “As public

“We offer programs in visual arts, media arts, music, dance, theater, and technical theater.

Our teachers are a combination of local arts professionals, national arts professionals, collegiate faculty, as well as highly qualified educators. Our students need to learn from a variety of perspectives to be able to truly have a well-rounded arts education,” said Executive Director and Co-Founder Dylan Ladd.

The Studio is the Academy’s evening and weekend program for adults and children that offers four 10-week sessions each year. Classes beginning October 25 include ballet, jazz, songwriting, voice, theater design, and acting.

The Academy’s summer program, IMPACT, is for students ages 10–18 and provides training in Broadway masterclasses: dance, acting, and voice. And, finally, the jewel in the crown, the Academy’s K-12 day school that will start its pilot in Fall 2023.

Broadway Star Justin Prescott working with Students

Courtesy of the Academy of the Arts

schools work to support the needs of as many students as possible, it becomes very difficult to provide career-specific training. In the arts, there are many skills that students can begin working on at a very young age, but they do not receive these resources in most schools.

By specializing our curriculum, we have the opportunity to offer classes that students might not see elsewhere such as music technology or ballet.”

writing by creating and producing their own stage play. They also direct and perform their works for their peers, taking theater and language arts standards and placing them in the same lesson plans.”

Much research and logistics went into conceptualizing this unique Academy and choosing Naperville as its hub. The brainchild of three educators determined to create something different for young artists, the Academy sprung from an in-depth examination of needs. In Spring 2021, the team hired a consultant firm Connor Associates to complete a ‘location feasibility study.’ They looked at all of Illinois and Wisconsin to see where this type of school could find the most success.

Ladd shared, “After researching locations with families that support the arts, high-growth rates in student populations, access to higher education, and great public transit, Naperville was the number one city in their study. In fact, they identified over 170,000 families in a 45-minute radius around Naperville that checked all of those boxes.”

The success that the students at the Academy have found this summer during the IMPACT Summer Series speaks for itself. Some of the biggest Broadway names trained students in dance, acting, and vocals. Students concluded the program with a field trip to see a Broadway show and a student performance for family and friends.

With only one other independent arts high school (located in Chicago), the proximity limitation for suburban kids was tangible.

The Academy will strike a balance between academics and arts to create well rounded students ready to tackle this competitive field without the hour-long commute.

Dylan Ladd, Executive Director and Co-Founder 20

Courtesy of the Academy of the Arts

“One way we plan to achieve our goals is through the incorporation of Arts Integration, where our teachers take standards from arts subjects as well as core subjects and teach both in the same lesson. An example that I love to share is one that my Co-Founder, Julie Hindenburg, uses in her 8th grade language arts class. Julie’s students work on narrative

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Cathy Rigby with Naperville Students at A Night of Broadway Gala

Courtesy of the Academy of the Arts

It was there that participant Layla Cummings was given the opportunity to audition for a Broadway show based on her performance.

Her mother Laura recalls, “The theatre community is so special, and this group seemed to bond very quickly. Layla loved learning from the Broadway talent, especially Erica Henningsen. To have a chance to sing in front of her was incredible, and she truly gave Layla notes that improved her audition song.

Finally, the experience with Merri Sugarman was a dream come true. We signed up for the camp in part because of Merri’s amazing background and reputation, and we knew she would give Layla really important insight and feedback. We never dreamed she might actually scout Layla and ask her to go to New York City to audition for a national tour, but that is what happened. Due to IMPACT, Layla got to go to New York and audition for the national tour of Les Misérables. We’re blown away that Merri is keeping Layla in mind for future opportunities, and Layla had a truly dream-come-true first time going to New York City. The Academy is connected to legitimate talent in the theatre industry. The experience, role models, and talent they bring is invaluable to area kids who are interested in theatre as a career.”

AOTA Students with Cast and Musicians of SIX

Courtesy of the Academy of the Arts

The Academy is actively fundraising to build its state-of-the-art academic and arts school with 50 classrooms. Having a direct connection with the professional arts world is important to the Academy’s mission, which is why they brought in a brilliant team of Artistic Advisors including Alex Lacamoire (Music Director and Orchestrator for Hamilton/In the Heights) and Taylor Dayne (Pop Star).

Taylor Dayne is joining the Academy for a special event in Naperville on Friday, February 10th to support Academy of the Arts. Tickets are on sale now at IllinoisArtsAcademy.org/ taylordayne.

AOTA Students at IMPACT Musical Theater

Courtesy of the Academy of the Arts

Author: Staci Hauk Staci is a parent of two, who recently relocated to her hometown of Naperville from Arizona. Staci has worked in publishing for the last four years as both an editor and head writer for several lifestyle magazines, as well as a reporter for a newspaper.

Shuba Iyer

Instagram @kneadedearth Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/kneadedearth

How to buy: www.gregmulvey.com (Art button) Email: Greg@GregMulvey.com

Greg Mulvey

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

21

The Merge of Design and Art in Finland Finland has consistently been voted one of

the happiest countries in the world. And if you ask any Finn what they think about it, they will likely shrug their shoulders and say it is a way of life, not a metric.

There seem to be five pillars of Finnish culture that propagate the philosophy that life is meant to be spent in the pursuit of happiness — wellness, nature therapy, silence, sustainability, and design. Helsinki is considered one of the premier design capitals of the world, and Hotel AX follows this theme to the T. It is a brandnew artistic playground and a place for relaxed inspiration. The hotel’s name – the Art Experience – is rooted in the idea of providing a comprehensive art exploration for the guest.

It is the first art hotel of its kind in the Nordic region and is a mecca for creators and artists. It has a diverse collection of works both inside and outside the building.

One of the hotel’s most prominent art pieces is a metal installation that hangs over its front doors and follows through to the entire lobby. The hotel is a platform, enabler, and gateway for guests into Helsinki’s design culture and artistic life. “AX will be constantly evolving – it will never be finished. It will be a platform for guests to enjoy unique art and artistic creativity in Helsinki.

The defining characteristic of AX is that art belongs to everyone,” says Riitta Liikamaa, Hotel AX’s General Manager. “So much so that this philosophy makes its way into the hotel rooms as well.” The themes of the rooms are based on different genres of literature, so they vary from room to room.

The four styles are Love Letters with A View, Novel Corner, Fairytale Corner, and Poem King. Each room contains literary 22

Words and photos by Karthika Gupta

works connected to the name of the room category. The rooms also have artworks and artistic expressions that created the base for the imagery adorning each room.

My room, Love Letter with a View, had floor-to-ceiling mural of the famous forests of the country. Forests cover 75% of Finland’s landmass, and a legal concept known as Jokamiehenoikeudet (Everyman’s Right to Nature) gives travelers and locals free access to the country’s public lands. The fact that this concept made its way into my room was an incredible feeling. I felt like I was sleeping in the woods. A nature-inspired adult coloring book, colored pencils, and forest-themed bath essentials completed the room’s appeal.

Novel Corner has a stylish vibe with works of prose. The bookshelf contains something for everyone – romantic, adventurous, or relaxing and encourages guests to take a moment and get lost in a great book. Fairytale Corner is a unique magical room full of fairytales taking guests into a whimsical world away from the bustle and responsibility of everyday life.

In this world of magical fables, guests can draw inspiration from all around, including the urban landscape showcased by the large corner window. Poem King is for lovers of poetry, with a bookshelf stacked with carefully selected works for every taste.

Even the hotel’s culinary experience is artistic. The on-site AX restaurant has a relaxed living-room-style atmosphere with large panoramic windows that open to the urban Jätkäsaari streetscape, influencing the restaurant’s setting and food profile. It is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. They also have an inspiring art corner available during the brunch where you can make your very own piece of art while you eat.

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Exterior, Hotel AX

Exterior sculpture, Hotel AX

The menu includes seasonal favorites that are reflective of the region’s history. Jätkäsaari was one of Finland’s port destinations for ships bringing ingredients, spices, and flavors from around the world. The restaurant’s bold, flavorful world cuisine includes customer favorites like chickpea stew with butternut squash and couscous, fresh fish, and Korean BBQ pork with a spicy Thai salad.

In the summertime, food can be enjoyed in the AX Garden, a hidden, flower-filled gem within the hotel’s courtyard that offers the perfect ambiance when paired with drinks from AX Bar or nearby Kyro Distillery. AX Bar serves popular beers, a carefully chosen range of wines, and cocktails designed inhouse by the bar artists using ingredients like Finnish cranberries and sea buckthorns. The bar also has books, art supplies, and coloring paper for doodling while sipping cocktails.

When you follow the winding staircase down to Ax Under, the hotel’s breakfast and event space, you are greeted with more artful surprises. The Finnish philosophy of clean eating is reflected in the menu at Hotel AX. All ingredients are locally sourced and sustainably produced wherever possible

Lobby, Hotel AX

Hallway, Hotel AX

Fairytale corner room, Hotel AX

Art books, Hotel AX

— from fresh granola to cheeses and jams.

Freshly brewed, individual-size French press coffee tops the luxurious breakfast.

The signature products at AX Under are the AX Bagels. The bagels are made in-house fresh each morning and can be filled with cream cheese, homemade hummus, alands pommern cheese, pickled cucumber, smoked pork and turkey, and other local ingredients.

Garden, Hotel AX

And the best part of this adventure is that earlier this year, Finnair announced the launch of the airline’s new, spacious longhaul look for its business class and premium economy. So now, a quick jaunt to experience Helsinki and Hotel AX is just a direct flight away from Chicago’s O’Hare airport.

Author: Karthika Gupta Contributing Writer. Karthika is a writer, photographer, and world traveler. She owns her own business and has been published nationally as well as internationally. She lives in the Tall Grass neighborhood.

Tami Kidd-Brown www.ArtbyTKB.com Facebook @tami.kiddbrown Instagram @artisttkiddbrown Society6: /takiddbrown Email for commissions/purchases: takiddbrown@gmail.com

Nicky Quartermaine Scott Email: nicky@studioqart.com Web: www.studioqart.com Instagram: @nickystudioq

View of Westminster Abbey from the Pub Pod Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

23

Art House

By Stephanie Anderson, SA Interiors, Photos courtesy of Stephanie Anderson

I’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.

- Henry David Thoreau

Everyone displays art differently, and

when it comes to deciding what to place on your walls, this can sometimes be a difficult decision. For some, finding the right artwork may take years, while others may have a collection of pieces simply waiting to be hung. Others, still, may choose to fill their walls with family memories. No matter what route you take, you want to do it in a manner that tastefully fits your preferences.

As such, the way you exhibit your artwork will depend on you. Do you enjoy clean, minimal walls? Maybe you prefer your walls patchworked with family photos?

Perhaps you enjoy adorning your walls with pictures and memories from your travels?

Either way, your art will tell a story, and I will cover three different design tips to help you consider the best ways to display these stories. Of course, there is no rule that says you cannot utilize all three methods!

Museum Walls Are you a true art collector? Do you spend your free time strolling museums and galleries? In this case, having a single statement piece hung on the wall that pops of color and life is enough to meet the moment.

When hanging a precious piece of artwork, you want to have a clean wall, typically of a white or soft shade. When choosing a place in your home, you want to make sure the piece has enough (but not too much) “breathing room.” Ensuring your artwork only occupies up to three-quarters of the 24

width of the wall it is on will make your painting feel like it belongs without feeling overwhelming. For example, if you have a wall that is 60 inches wide, then a 45 inch-wide (60 x .75) piece of artwork will fit just right. Also, don’t forget the lighting for this special piece! A slim art light above your artwork will really make all the difference.

Family Photo/Seasonal Display Do you have a lot of beautiful family photos or pictures of your own property that you’d like to display? More and more families are having some unique professional family photos taken, so why not treat them as precious art? You can display them in a simple frame, or you can create a balanced collage showcasing all your favorites! When creating a collage, your display can be pure, comprised of all white frames; or, you can channel a more eclectic approach by throwing in different framing textures and colors. One of my favorite ways to display family art is through a beautiful collage wall mixing your favorite memories.

Travel Art Do you travel a lot or have captured memories of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? One of my favorite quotes (and you will find it on my website) is from the late English designer David Hicks, who said, “The best rooms also have something

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

to say about the people who live in them.”

I believe this is true, and one of the best ways to display your interests is by selecting art based on your travels. This can be achieved in many ways. You can buy paintings at galleries during your travels — or less formally — patron a local street artist. Or, perhaps you are great behind the camera and have captured unique, breathtaking imagery. Whatever your approach, when accented by a beautiful frame, you now have a masterpiece of your own making!

So why not bring out your inner curator this year and see what beautiful displays you can create!

Author: Stephanie Anderson Stephanie is the owner of SA Interiors. She is a designer with a BFA in Interior design. She enjoys collaborating with clients, hearing their stories, and discovering their aspirations so a space can be designed that is not only timeless and functional but unique to her clients. www.sainteriors.com

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

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The Settlement Capturing a Likeness

By Jeanne Schultz Angel

There were at least 18 photographers working in Naperville from the advent of photography to the early 20th century. Naperville’s most prolific photographers from the 1800s included Christian Kendig and his son, A.C. Kendig. Christian Kendig (1828-1909) was from Pennsylvania and came to Naperville in 1859. Regarded as a deeply thoughtful person by area residents, he worked as a cabinet maker, photographer, dentist, and beekeeper.

Portrait of Caroline Barr Todd,

by George Caleb Bingham c 1860

For hundreds of years, artists around the

world captured the likeness of subjects in a wide variety of mediums and styles from painted surfaces to sculpture to photography.

In Illinois, if residents from the early 19th century wanted an image of themselves, they were limited to hiring a portrait painter.

Portrait painters were both artists and businesspeople, typically traveling from commission to commission to provide an individual or family likeness. The most notable portraitist from DuPage County was painter Sheldon Peck who resided in Babcock’s Grove (Lombard after 1869) and remains nationally one of the most important portrait artists of American folk art (works done by self-taught artists). The style of these painters changed as competition with the new medium of photography gained momentum.

But what were the earliest photographers thinking about the new technology? Did they consider themselves scientists or artists?

Or rather, was it about a revolution in visual 26

Courtesy of Naper Settlement

communication? All of those are true and then some. Starting in the mid-1800s, photographers produced various types of prints including daguerreotypes, tintypes, and albumen prints to name a few. Each style required a working knowledge of chemistry, elements, and much trial and error in the development process.

Furthermore, photographers still needed “an eye” for light and positioning much like an artist. In addition, the nature of the subject changed as well. An oil painter of the past would attempt to capture the image of a bloody battle in all its honor and glory, but photographers during the Civil War captured the actual battlefield aftermath. The death and gore seen by everyday Americans in these photos changed how people felt about the war. Photographers, like Matthew Brady, were also known to have staged scenes for their Civil War photos, not unlike painters.

In any case, photography transformed visual communication in the 19th century, profoundly influencing the development of America.

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

He was known for his attention to detail as this ad for his photography business in the Naperville Clarion of May 1872 stated: The undersigned is prepared to furnish Photo-graphic Likenesses of unsurpassed beauty and correctness, at the most reasonable terms. Pictures taken as his establishment are warranted to be fully as good as those taken in the city. Rooms on Jefferson Avenue, Naperville, Ill. -C. Kendig As the business of photography grew in popularity and expanded through the 1880s, his son A.C. Kendig entered the business.

In April 1884, A.C. Kendig’s ad printed in the Clarion invited patrons with a whimsical image of little creatures playing on his camera equipment.

The ever-accommodating businessman, the ad read:

A.C. Kendig, Photographer. Continues to take all Sizes and Styles of pictures at his old stand—sunshine or cloudy weather, and aims as heretofore to please his patrons, and flatters himself to give general satisfaction, not only in artistic skill, but also in enlarging pictures and coloring in India ink at reasonable prices. Landscape vires, Houses, &c (sic), taken in town or country at short notice.

By 1898, A.C. Kendig began producing “stereopticon exhibitions” or “magic lantern shows,” which were essentially traveling slideshows of images projected on a canvas for a wider audience. These programs, designed to be both educational and entertaining, were typically offered in public spaces and included live music, live changing images on a canvas

screen, and live narration with the program.

Often these images were layered as to produce a dissolved image effect. These were the early precursors to moving pictures and audiences marveled at being transported to a variety of times and places.

Kendig’s exhibition in January 1898 included a history of Naperville with images of “old settlers” and founders, street and landscape scenes from years past, and scenes from the Civil War. Undoubtedly, he was able to use the collection of images that his father had been building since the late 1850s to share on the screen. Even then, the community understood the importance and relevance of remembering history and sharing the past to help plan for the future.

Poetry Corner on the

Fairweather Studio

With Michael Todd Fink

letters to an old poet

unnumb

i prefer to edit and complete my writings years later.

arrogance and shame… are psychological survival knots

it feels like a running correspondence with the future.

applied to emotional wounds

i am mentoring my younger self.

that restrict the flow of connection

waiting on wisdom ex post facto, i trust the process.

and reinforce the idea of separateness. untie these tourniquets.

this retroactive counsel unearths the courage to leap. i will catch myself if i fall.

Author: Jeanne Schultz Angel

revive your circulation with totality and feel into the tingling sensation that everything is doing everything.

Jeanne is the Associate Vice President of Naper Settlement and an Illinois Humanities Road Scholar. Jeanne is also the current President of the Illinois Association of Museums and the Coalition of State Museum Associations Foundation.

Author: Michael Todd Fink Todd is a 3x TEDxNaperville speaker, host of the Kind Mind podcast, co-founder of The Giving Tree Band and longtime clinician at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health of Naperville. His songs, poems, talks and videos inspire many around the world.

napersettlement.org

www.MichaelToddFink.com

Glimpse of Gourmet

By Terrell Cole

The changing of the leaves, the great flavors of the fruits and vegetables that start to come of season or the smell of spices like clove, cinnamon, apple rosemary and ginger all get the senses ready for fall!

Does this look tasty to you?

This is just a glimpse!

See More! mainluxe.com/glimpse Chef: Terrell Cole Owner of Darkhorse Catering in Naperville, Chef Terrell brings his decades of experience to a new feature exclusively for Main & Luxe Magazine. He is known for his range and ability to manage effortlessly. He lives Downtown. darkhorsegrillandcatering.com

Braised lamb with roasted beets and sweet potato polenta

Michael A. Hubatch

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

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625 S. Washington St. Naperville 630-590-9500 www.RefinedBeautyBoutique.com Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

29

Queen of Arts

By Dawn Klavon

Yoko Ono once said, “Art is my life, and my life is art.” The same could be said for Debbie Venezia.

Debbie is passionate about raising visibility of the arts for DuPage County residents.

Since 2017, she has been the director of Arts DuPage, an initiative of the DuPage Foundation. In partnership with the Arts DuPage Advisory Committee, she enthusiastically leads the effort to support, promote, and advocate for the arts in our community by providing a comprehensive listing of all things arts in the area, building connections within the arts and culture sector, stimulating community engagement, and providing capacity-building workshops to artists and arts leaders. “There was not an awareness of the breadth of activities that were available,” Debbie said. “So we’re now a resource for people in the community.”

Debbie’s art career began in 2002, when her corporate job downsized, and she found herself job hunting. Convinced this was an opportunity to pursue her passion for art, she applied and was hired as the Naperville Art League’s executive director.

The organization saw a tremendous growth spurt, coinciding with her arrival. During her 15-year tenure heading the Naperville Art League, Debbie helped increase the organization’s revenues; secured valuable grants funding and sponsorships; facilitated educational workshops, classes, and exhibits; and coordinated all aspects of the Naperville Riverwalk Fine Art Fair, a role she still holds today.

This past September marked the event’s 37th year where the downtown streets of Naperville transform into an art marketplace showcasing the nation’s best artists. “We exhibited in 14 different media categories,” Debbie said. “We had a little bit of everything — I love doing it, and I’m still not ready to give it up because of what it does for the community.”

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Naperville Art League 508 N Center Street

All photos courtesy of Debbie Venezia

Main & Luxe sat down with Debbie for some Q & A. Q – Be honest. Do art lovers need to go elsewhere to experience great art?

DV – No! Pre-pandemic, the mindset was, in order to get a quality art experience, you need to go down to Chicago. And that’s just not true. And I think the biggest example that I can cite is if we look at what happened last summer (in 2021), the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage brought in the Frida Kahlo ‘Timeless Exhibit. It was amazing. It was 26 pieces of original art by Frida Kahlo that were displayed for three months last summer. During that threemonth period, over 100,000 people from 50 states and 43 countries came to Glen Ellyn.

Q – Who is your favorite artist?

DV – I don’t know that I could narrow it down to just one artist! My list includes several who have educated and challenged me, influenced my perspective, and seduced me with the beauty of their work. I remember inhaling the scent of oil paints at the Van Gogh exhibit and being moved to tears before Michelangelo’s La Pieta in Vatican City. Edward Hopper, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, and Maxfield Parrish all have a place in my heart!

Main & Luxe, October/November 2022

Debbie Venezia, Executive Director, Naperville Art League

Riverwalk Fine Art Fair

Riverwalk Fine Art Fair

Riverwalk Fine Art Fair

Q – Favorite local art event?

DV – I will have to say Naperville Art League’s Riverwalk Fine Art Fair, an event I’ve been intimately close to for the last 20 years. As the director, I look forward to running this top-rated show as it attracts some of the best artists in the country to DuPage County. Tens of thousands of art fair goers eagerly attend the show and turn the event into a celebration of the arts.

Q – Favorite art medium?

DV – Pastel! And for those unfamiliar with it, don’t let the name deceive you. The pastel palette has an infinite range of colors, from pale to vibrant, and finished works can be very subtle or intensely rich and luminescent.

Versatile and forgiving, pastels allow artists to create work spontaneously and make it easier for art appreciators to find those pieces that will suit their tastes.

Q – What is the best thing about the local arts scene?

DV – The abundance of high-quality arts experiences within the borders of DuPage County. The region has world-class cornerstone venues like Drury Lane, Paramount Theatre, and the McAninch Arts Center juxtaposed with smaller locations like Village Theatre Guild and Wheaton Drama. Elmhurst Art Museum is a haven for art and design

Anne Frank Exhibit, Naperville ArtsLeague

and is also an international destination for architecture as it is home to the Mies van der Rohe house. Next year, we can look forward to Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA).

Additionally, Salt Creek Ballet, Two Way Street Coffee House, Westside Improv,

and Elmhurst History Museum all bring unique gifts to the area. In the post-COVID environment, many are choosing to stay closer to home for their arts experiences, and it’s okay — everything you need is right here.

Adrienne Harvey

The contact page on my website is the best way to reach me: www.adriennebaleharvey.com Instagram @adriennebaleharvey

Author: Dawn Klavon Dawn Klavon works as a freelance writer, traveling the globe with her husband and writing from any coffee shop, hotel lobby, or boulangerie where she feels inspired. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University and a master’s degree in journalism from Harvard University, she is uniquely qualified to craft feature stories on compelling people, trendy foods, and fascinating lifestyles. Dawn authored a book during her first year in grad school, along with her professor and classmates, called “Journalism Today -- Profiles in Passion and Diversity.”

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