First Friday Art Show

Are
you looking for a unique, local event to enjoy with family and friends? Have
you ever been downtown to the Art Institute of Chicago or to a gallery opening?
No need to travel far from home for a cultural evening. Lakeside Legacy Arts Park
at the Historic Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake hosts a monthly art show called
First Friday that is the perfect, local event. The public is welcome at the
upcoming showcase on Friday, April 4th from 5pm-8pm, which is free to attend. First
Friday’s also include complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Donations are
appreciated to help cover the costs of the art show, as Lakeside is a 501(c)3
charitable organization. In addition to showcasing local and regional artists,
these monthly events are designed to showcase the beautiful property and
encourage the community to explore the arts. The donations at First Friday
support the organizations mission to protect and preserve the historic Dole
Mansion and Arts Park for generations to come and be a creative cultural arts
center offering programs, events, and concerts for the community to enjoy.

The
April 4th exhibit is titled ‘Art & Music in Action’, which features over 15
artists, art forms, and live music. “The arts come alive at April 4th First
Friday,” exclaimed Siobhan Cottone, Lakeside’s Executive Director. The April
art event is a showcase of all the resident partner artists/musicians who rent
creative studio space at Lakeside. “The community might not realize what
Lakeside is all about and this art show is a perfect open house experience to
learn more about Lakeside and to experience art,” Cottone added. The exhibit will
display visual mediums, such as: acrylic, watercolor, photography, origami,
jewelry, pastels, graphic illustration, and much more! The artists will also have
live demos of how they create their work. The April 4th event also includes
free, live performances in the Dole Mansion and in ‘the Listening Room’. Guests
can learn more about upcoming art classes for all ages, music lessons, photography
businesses, and upcoming concerts or events, such as Hip Hop Explosion and
Lakeside Fest.

“If you haven’t experienced the state-of-the-art music venue that is
located in the garden level of Lakeside known as ‘the Listening Room’, then
this is your time to experience it,“ remarked House Manager, Roger
Reupert.  This intimate venue features a Steinway piano, professional
production, and state of the art lights that help make concerts, comedy nights,
and other events to the community possible. Events in ‘the Listening Room’ include
national, regional, and local talent. Additionally, guests that attend the
April 4th show are encouraged to explore the entire property, including vacant
studios, to see where music lessons, art lessons, and the creative process
takes place.  Children can enjoy various activities during the First
Friday, such as coloring and origami making. Guests will be greeted with an
interactive map to guide them through the artistic and musical experiences at
Lakeside for the night. For more information on the April 4th First Friday and
other events at Lakeside, visit www.LakesideLegacy.org. Lakeside Legacy Arts
Park is located at 401 Country Club Road in Crystal Lake, IL.