I recently met with Oak Park Art League'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…

As former president of Oak Park Art League I have had the privilege of working with Bryan Northup. Bryan's artistic and marketing skills have been a great resource for OPAL. Bryan's eco-friendly glass creations continue to amaze. It's not surprising that Bryan's artworks are gaining in popularity. Let's learn a little more about him.  Ken Reif: Who are you? Bryan Northup: My name is Bryan Northup, I have been working as a professional glass artist since 1999. I grew up in California and lived there until 2008 when I moved to Oak Park. I love the process of creating and have worked with many …

I've passed by this corner many times and had no idea I was passing by a beautiful theater. Recently I had the honor of performing at the Open Door Theater with the Anti-gravity Experiment Improv Group. I was blown away by the professional surroundings. The management has gone to great lengths to make this theater comfortable for both audience and performer. I am very impressed with their devotion to diversity and commitment to community. Make it a point to see a show at the Open Door Theater Company and experience theater art. Here is my interview with director Mary Pat Sieck Ken Reif: Who …

This week's interview is with Jim Parks of Jimbo-Delta. I've decided to mix it up a bit and go to the musical side of the art world. I have known Jim for over 10 years and accompany him on bass guitar. Jim has played at the Oak Park Art League on several occasions and most recently at the Open Door Repertory Theater. Jim's style is heartfelt Americana roots music. I guess you would call it blues music but you always leave his performance feeling good. Jim is a consummate professional and will not compromise his musical integrity. This dude rocks! Who are you? Where are you from? I'm James …

This week's interview is with Jesse Howard. Jesse's subject matter is the homeless and disenfranchised, he uses charcoal and watercolors to convey his feelings of social issues. He states on the website Art World Chicago, "I'm reminded that art should be a celebration of life, which includes the good of man and the contradictions that he has placed on himself and his total environment." Jesse's work is very bold and evokes strong emotion, which is what great art should do. His work puts a human face on this often ignored part of our society. See this exciting artist's work and become more …

This week, I've turned the column over to Jonathan Franklin.  My name is Jonathan Franklin. I was born in Michigan but spent most of my youth growing up in Asia (Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia) where my father worked as a civil engineer. As a child I would copy my brother’s drawings, mainly battleships with guns blazing, dogfighting airplanes, Cowboys and Indians, and imaginary monsters. But soon as he began to read MAD magazine my tastes evolved as well. Shortly thereafter I was attempting to emulate the stylings of many of the artistic geniuses that were featured in that august journal. And…

This week, we turn the tables. While Ken is out on his first "Life of Ray" celebration, his wife conducts the interview. Her subject? Ken Reif.  Rebecca Reif: Who are you? Ken Reif: My name is Ken Reif, I am an artist, actor in the improv group Antigravity Experiment, musician and Art Critic At Large. Tell me about your first experience with the world of art. I started drawing by copying the drawings from Mad Magazine and my parents sent me to a local painting studio in South Holland, where I learned the basics. Where did you study after that? I became very interested in art during high …

This week's interview is with Debby Preiser, Community Relations Coordinator at the Oak Park Public Library. She's also a talented photographer who's well connected with the who's who and what's what in Oak Park. Debby organizes the gallery at the library and so much more as you will read in this interview. Ken Reif: Who are you? Debby Preiser: I am Debby Preiser, Community Relations Coordinator at the Oak Park Public Library. How long have you had this position? I have been doing this for about 20 years. I've spent most of this time with adult programs and done lot of PR for the library. …

This week's interview is with sculptor Ted Strandt, a self-taught artist, board member at the Oak Park Art League and the owner of Strandt Monuments in Justice, Illinois. Strandt not only provides monuments for dearly departed humans, but a lot of his work is also about creating monuments for dearly departed pets. He's a straight shooter and pulls no punches, a "tell it like it is" kind of guy who's proud of his heritage. Ken Reif: Who are you? Ted Strandt: My name is Ted Strandt, 54 years old, I grew up in Elmwood Park. I started work in the monument business, that's a big part of my …

Walking into what local artist Steve Smith calls the "Flavor City Studios" at 45 Harrison Street, you realize this place is the real deal. The place smells like art. Artwork covers the walls. Canvasses are stacked at least 20 deep waiting for the art lover's eyes. Steve is very involved in several Oak Park art organizations. He's a director of Oak Park Arts District and also serves on the board of directors at the Oak Park Art League. Previously, he attended the American Academy of Art and was also a full-time student at the Village Art School in Skokie. Some works from that time are on …

What do I mean by "It's all Art?" Art is all around us, everything we use, everything we do has at one time or another involved a creative process. I believe we are all artists, some of us just don't know it yet. I am a working artist and moved to this area almost 20 years ago to be close to a more culturally vibrant scene, which Oak Park and River Forest certainly are. Shameless self promotion — you can see my artwork at www.kenreif.com, also exhibiting at Trattoria 225 in Oak Park and at Culver's in Berwyn. I also have two murals along the CTA Green Line embankment in Oak Park (the Tree and…