Ridge Historical Society invites everyone over

The winter doldrums are upon us, that time in February when we often hit a slump because the holidays are long over, and the weather has prevented us from getting out and about. It's time to find something interesting and fun to do that is local and free.

The Ridge Historical Society (RHS), 10621 S. Seeley Ave., is holding an Open House on Friday, February 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Everyone is invited over to see the current exhibit, "The Art of Ethel Wirtshafter," and to learn more about RHS.

Ethel Wirtshafter was an artist who moved to Beverly in 1954 with her husband, Dr. Robert Wirtshafter, a pediatrician, and their son, David. Ethel was already an accomplished print maker and photographer. She enrolled in art classes at the University of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and took up painting in oil and water color.

In 1969, on a trip with her family, Ethel saw batiks on display in a hotel lobby in Yugoslavia. She became intrigued and started experimenting with the batik process when she returned home. Batiks became her signature artwork.

Batik is an ancient fabric art for dyeing cloth. It is a time-consuming process in which the fabric is coated with beeswax and sections are scraped away allowing the dye to be absorbed. The process is repeated over and over until the piece of fabric is complete.

Indonesian batiks, which generally repeat a geometric pattern, are most familiar to us. But Ethel did something different, creating scenes with people and objects. Her favorite themes included Madonna and Child, Elizabethan scenes, and Art Nouveau. She was also influenced by places she visited or read about, and Japan, Africa and Egypt figure prominently in her work. Each piece she created was completely unique.

Ethel sold her work at local art fairs. She hung the pieces from clothes lines so that the light would shine through them, giving a stained glass effect. Her work is now in the hands of many private owners, and in the Vanderpoel Art Association (VAA) and Beverly Art Center (BAC) collections.

For over 45 years, Ethel taught classes at the VAA. She also severed on the Board and taught classes at the BAC. In 2003, the Walker Branch of the Chicago Public Library, RHS, VAA and BAC joined together to honor Ethel for a lifetime achievement in the arts. Ethel died just short of her 100th birthday in 2009.

Now RHS has mounted an exhibit of over 30 pieces of Ethel's works, including paintings but especially showcasing her batiks. All of her themes are represented. The pieces are on loan from many private collectors and from BAC and VAA.

In addition to the opportunity to see Ethel Witshafter's work, this open house also offers the opportunity for people to learn more about RHS.

A private, not-for profit organization, the mission of RHS is to preserve and interpret the history of the Beverly Hills, Morgan Park, Washington Heights, and Mt. Greenwood communities of Chicago. Membership is open to all. RHS is located in the historic Graver-Driscoll House. There are many opportunities for involvement available, working with the collection, the costumes, the house and grounds, and events and programs.

The February 8 events are open to the public and free of charge. For more information, contact RHS at 773/881-1675, or ridgehistory@hotmail.com. And follow RHS on Facebook, www.facebook.com/RidgeHistoricalSociety/.

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