Arts group in membership dirve

The Grayslake Arts Alliance, a non-for-profit arts group dedicated to supporting the arts in
Grayslake, is in the midst of its 2021 membership drive.
The organization was founded four years ago by a handful of local artists looking to band together to
transform Grayslake into a center for the arts in Lake County. The group’s mission is to promote the
arts through education, participation and development.
“Despite the continuing pandemic, we've just concluded one of our best years ever,” said Paul Price,
a member of the GAA's executive board.
“We transformed our member shows into virtual events, staged our first ever Community Photo
Contest, participated in our annual Giving Tree display, and coordinated three dine-out fundraisers.
To top it off, we just launched our online store, a 24/7 marketplace that allows the public to explore
artwork created by dozens of local artists.”
“We were able to stay engaged and were so successful due to the creative and innovative thinking
by our membership,” he noted.
The group certainly stayed engaged with the community, reaching over 70,000 people through their
Facebook and Instagram accounts.
“It was this connection with the community that helped grow membership, too! We have a total of 60
members, an increase of 22 percent from the prior year”, Price added.
Next year, the group plans to bolster its arts education program, which is headed by Zee Lacson.
Goals include offering virtual workshops for the public and GAA members, updating the downtown
display case once a month, and hosting a community arts contest, she said.
Grayslake Arts Alliance | PO Box 559 | Grayslake, IL 60030 #MakeArtEveryday
“We would also like to return to our normal schedule of offering four in-person shows a year,
including our signature events, MayFest and the Holiday Fine Art Show and Sale,” said GAA
president Ernest J Schweit. “But that will depend, of course, on if the pandemic is under control and
public gatherings can be conducted safely.”
GAA membership is open to any artist or patron of the arts for $50 per year. Every member receives
a wide variety of benefits, including:
+ The chance to sell your work at four in-person art shows each year
+ The chance to sell work in the new GAA online store
+ A standing listing in the GAA online gallery, including your artwork and contact information
+ First chance to register for GAA classes and workshops
+ The opportunity to propose and teach workshops
+ Networking opportunities with other artists, as well as community partners
+ The monthly GAA email newsletter
+ Participation in public arts projects, fundraisers, and other one-of-a-kind events
Join the GAA by visiting https://www.grayslakeartsallia... . Scroll down, click on Apply for
Membership and follow the prompts. Membership runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Memberships are
also accepted by sending your application and $50 check, made payable to the Grayslake Arts
Alliance, to Post Office Box 559, Grayslake, Ill., 60030.