THIS Saturday: Get Your GarArt On!

One of the trendiest and most distinctively local happenings in Chicago’s near west suburbs is a free one night only pop-up event known as GarArt. GarArt 2016 is THIS Saturday, August 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. The 3rd annual artwalk has drawn interest from area cultural icons and business to the point that this once boho diversion has blossomed into the area’s underground event of summer’s end.

A dozen area garages will be transformed into showcases for the creative arts. Over 40 artists will be featured: painters, photographers, sculptors, musicians, muralists, textile artists and more.
Photographer Debra Mae Funderwhite attended GarArt the last two years. This year she decided to fully commit to the event. "I am really looking forward to participating,” she said. “It’s a wonderful way to meet and network with local artists. I am also excited to share the evening with my talented daughter, Terri White, who will join me in showcasing some of her own art."
In its third year, GarArt continues to be an organic, evolving experience. Founder Amy Turilli noted some of this year’s new features:

• The Historical Society of Forest Park is opening its space to artists who don't have a garage. Their involvement parallels their efforts to establish a local cultural center in the First United Church building with its beautiful sanctuary windows and vaulted carved wood ceiling.
• Amy's Winehouse, the new tapas restaurant on Roosevelt Road, will open its garage to artists.
• A group of street artists will paint a mural on the garage at 1000 Marengo during the event.
• Musical offerings by dee jays, record collectors and the neighborhood’s acoustic duo, Buddy & Jade, will expand to embrace a marimba player.

This garage art gallery event debuted in 2014 with about a dozen artists represented and a broad mix of media on display in four adjacent garages at Thomas and Marengo. The event has now become the art aficionado version of a pub crawl with a dozen locations grouped in clusters across Forest Park. At each location, visitors are provided with a map guiding them to the other galleries. Find the latest version of the map listing all GarArt 2016 gallery locations at www.garart.wordpress.com.
What: GarArt 2016, one night multi-garage art gallery display
When: Saturday, August 27, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: throughout Forest Park, see map listing all locations at www.garart.wordpress.com
Cost: FREE
Who: Local artists – varied media