Winnetka’s Hubbard Woods Park was the scene of Art in the Village sponsored by the North Shore Art League this past weekend. The boutique fine art show featured over 65 artists working in painting, mixed media, photography, sculpture and more.
North Shore Art League Executive Director Linda Nelson said more artists applied this year than ever before. She attributed this in part to the fact that the NSAL celebrates its 100th anniversary in Winnetka this year.
“The artists in the show come from all across the country,” Nelson said. “They find it appealing I think that we are a long-standing, not-for-profit arts organization – a school – living art 360 days a year, providing classes and a community art and gallery space in the Community House, Winnetka, during all of this time.”
According to Nelson, the event has been held at Hubbard Woods Park for the past 11 years.
Janet Gross of Highland Park attended Art in the Village on Sunday.
“I am loving the selection of juried artworks,” Gross said. “I am reminded of the fine art shows I have attended in Laguna Beach, California, which had a similar art media variety and a similar level of quality and formal craftsmanship.”
According to The North Shore Art League website, NSAL is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the human spirit and life of its community through art education and exhibitions.
The organization is one of the oldest art leagues in the country, founded in 1924 by artists who wanted people of all ages in their community to benefit from the arts. Although NSAL from its inception has been an independently run organization, it rents a space on the second floor of the historic Community House, Winnetka which has been home to the majority of the League’s programming.
Nancy Behles, an artist and teacher who has taught painting at NSAL for 21 years, said the North Shore Art League is the best kept secret on the north shore.
Glenna Adkins is an abstract painter from Kentucky whose work was voted best in show during Art in the Village 2024.
“My feeling is, after doing 23 art shows per year, this is a show with strong community support, a surrounding community made up of patrons who are knowledgeable about art and who have a great interest in purchasing art,” Adkins said.
This year’s show also featured a silent auction with artwork donated from participating artists, along with a raffle with generous prizes donated from local businesses.
“As the North Shore Art League celebrates 100 years, the core of our success lies in our school, its faculty and the strong community of artists and art lovers we have built,” Nelson said.
In addition to the annual juried show, Nelson said the league’s art galleries provide high quality exhibits year-round to the public, giving local artists a chance to show their works and help extend their visibility.
Nelson shared plans for the future, saying the League is always interested and flexible in offering new workshops and testing interest in newer/innovative art mediums like digital art, iPhone photography, cold wax, batik, oil pastel and encaustic, ceramics and other forms.
“As far as the future and our mission to make the arts accessible to all, we follow the interests of our students, always looking to serve our current student population and to attract new audiences,” she said.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
