With Partnership, Oak Park Art League to Preserve Printmaking

I recently met with 's Executive Director Faith Humphrey-Hill to discuss the group's involvement with Expressions Graphics on Harrison Street. This is great opportunity for Oak Park Art League to further their mission and serve the community. 

Ken Reif: Can you give me a little background on the Oak Park Art League and it's mission.

Faith Humphrey-Hill: The Oak Park Art League was founded in 1921. It is a gallery and art school in a historic converted carriage house designed by E. E. Roberts in 1902. What we do is have monthly exhibitions and classes for adults and kids, at our Chicago Avenue location, which we call the Carriage House Gallery. 

We now have two distinct gallery spaces, our current Carriage House Gallery and now the Expressions Graphics Gallery. 

What is the mission?

To provide access to the disciplines and development processes so that artists of all ages can and skill levels can find their unique creative voice in their studios and galleries.

It's nice because it's all about making art accessible to people. It encourages artists of all ages, skill levels and helping see them through the creative process. Starting with the child messing around with paint, to the professional artist who is exhibiting their art work, and for the viewer to come in and see the art work.

It's all about spreading the word of art.

Exactly, educating people, letting them enjoy and learn about art.

Making it accessible.

Yes, making it a part of their daily lives.

What do you know about Expressions Graphics? 

It was founded in 1981. It has been in a couple of different locations but primarily on Harrison street in the Oak Park Arts District.

They're a not-for-profit organization with a great reputation and lots of awards. They are a print making studio and gallery. Artists come from all over the world to do printmaking and to exhibit their art work. They are a fantastic organization that provides a unique service. Unfortunately, they are facing numerous challenges that on their own could be overcome but combined threaten their survival. 

So they approached the Oak Park Art League to see if we could help because we have a good organizational structuring history in the village. They wanted us to take over and keep the printmaking alive. If we could not help they would close.

When they approached us we were looking for additional space, and we had maxed out class space at our main location. There are certain days that are more popular, more convenient for people. At this other location we will be able to hold more classes.

We are very excited to be working with them getting into printmaking. They are the only print making business in the western suburbs. It will be a nice place to go to do your print making. Everyone at Expressions have been welcoming and everyone in the Harrison Arts District has been welcoming. We are very excited to get in there and start working. We are going to work with everyone to help keep it alive.

Plus here at the Carriage House Gallery you are not set up to have the chemicals that are used in print making. 

Right, we do have a good ventilation system here, which works wonderfully with oil painting, but there are different chemicals used in printmaking. It's nice they are set up for all of that there.

Are you getting the presses along with the space? Are there presses?

Yes there are presses that will remain with the space. There are two large presses, it is a lovely space and we are very excited.

It is also good for Oak Park Art League to have a presence on Harrison street in the Arts District.

We are excited to be participating with them and to be able to do processes at both locations.

Is this a merger? Or is the Art League totally taking over the Expressions Graphics space and name.

Technically, it's a merger. The "legal name" will be the Oak Park Art League and we will run that space. OPAL staff and board will be in charge of it. However a lot of the excellent and dedicated volunteers and teachers there will remain active.

Is any of the old staff staying?

They do not have any paid staff. I'm in the process of interviewing teachers for Expressions, utilizing their list of teachers and our list of teachers.

When are you planning on starting the operation?

We begin September 1st.

Will the classes be set up for Fall?

Yes and the last exhibition they have scheduled will be in the month of September after that it will be OPAL exhibitions.

That is very exciting, you will have exhibition openings here at the Chicago Avenue location on the second Fridays and then on the 3rd Fridays at Expressions

Then every 3rd Thursday every other month we have exhibition openings at Prairie Title. There may be book binding and drawing classes at the Expression's site. We will also be exhibiting works on paper in the gallery.

Oak Park makes national press often and the art scene here is always mentioned. We are thrilled to create another bridge between the arts groups in Oak Park and hope that residents will check out the unique exhibits and programs at the various locations.