West End Arts Festival Returns To La Grange

LA GRANGE, IL — The 22nd annual West End Arts Festival will return to La Grange on Saturday, Sept. 9 - Sunday, Sept. 10. According to a release from La Grange Business Association, this end-of-the-summer event attracts artists from across the country, art aficionados, wine connoisseurs and jazz music lovers as well as families looking for a fun community weekend event. The festival is free and offers plenty of free parking and takes place adjacent to Stone Avenue Metra station.

The event will from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 9 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 10. According to the release, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and talk with over 50 juried artists from throughout the Midwest as well as purchase original art including ceramics, drawing, glass, jewelry, acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, sculpture, wood, mixed media, photography, printmaking and more. Local art students from Lyons Township High School will also have a booth displaying their art pieces.

According to the release, there will also be music and entertainment:

• Saturday evening jazz concert (7 - 9:30 p.m.) featuring the acclaimed Elmhurst College Jazz Band
• Live jazz music and acoustic music performers throughout the weekend
• Face painting and other entertainment throughout the weekend

Food and Beverages:

• Tent for wine tastings
• Culinary "Art of Food" tent with local chefs demonstrating a favorite dish
• Local restaurants will sell lunch/dinner items, snacks, wine and beer

Art Activities:

• Art activities for kids/youth including sidewalk chalk, selfie art stations, and more
• Community mural art project
• Option to purchase mini-canvas boards to create own masterpieces with assistance from the staff of Bottle & Bottega
• Educational art sessions/live art demonstrations

Art Auction:

• 30 hand-crafted beverage coolers that have been painted by local artists and displayed in La Grange as part of a summer art exhibit will be sold at a live and silent auction with proceeds to local charities Saturday evening.

Walking Tours of Historic Area:

• In partnership with the La Grange Area Historical Society, walking tours will be offered (fee and advance registration required) of the historical and architecturally significant west end area of La Grange.

Art Films:

• Art films produced by local Lyons Township High School students will be shown inside the Stone Avenue Metra train station.

"We're very proud to announce an expanded and more engaging West End Arts Festival in our roster of fun events in La Grange," Phil Fornaro, the festival chair, said in a release. "This is a celebration of the vibrant arts community in La Grange and gives our local businesses the opportunity to partner in an event that brings the creative process up close. It's a unique opportunity to meet and talk with painters and sculptors, to watch the culinary process at work from a professional chef or discuss the nuances of jazz with a performer."

According to the release, the West End Arts Festival is held in partnership with the Village of La Grange, WDCB Jazz Radio and many local business sponsors including: Baird & Warner, Republic Services, Gilmartin Legal, Linnea Jewelry, Hinsdale Orthopaedic, Little People's Country and Vintage Charm.

Photo provided by La Grange Business Association.