Spex in Oak Park holds “Art+Vision” event with Dumela Contemporary African Art and Italee Eyewear trunk show

Spex, Chicago’s premier destination for luxury eyewear and sunwear, holds their next “Art+Vision” event with Dumela Contemporary African Art curated by Leila Green and Nancy McDaniel. The opening reception is Thursday, October 18 from 5-8 pm, at 122 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL, 60301; 708 524 2020; spexchicago.com. The work will be on view through November 29, 2012. Refreshments and appetizers will be served. A trunk show featuring the Italee eyewear collection will be on view during the reception.

Italee, also the manufacturer of the Kazuo Kawasaki collection, brings their entire new collection of 2.5 Eyephorics for an exclusive viewing. Known for their innovative designs, Italee has developed cutting-edge techniques in the creation of rimless eyewear. The 2.5 collection is named for the actual weight of the frame, weighing no more than 2.5 grams when complete with lenses, temples and joints. 2.5 frames are available as ophthalmic, sun, readers, and even for kids. The lenses can be customized with subtle laser-etched patterns around the edges for an added twist. 

“Dumela,” which is a warm greeting of welcome in the Sesotho language of South Africa, specializes in “Contemporary African Art.” Dumela was born in 1998, with the mission of bringing art by young, contemporary African artists to the US, beginning with Chicago. Some of the art Dumela sells can be described as “naive” or untrained, while much of the work is done by artists who have received some formal art training. Nancy McDaniel and Leila Green travel extensively throughout East and Southern Africa, and bring back incredible artwork from emerging African artists for their shows. Represented artists create vibrant and evocative work in acrylic, oil, watercolors, pastels and mixed media.

ABOUT SPEX: Spex is synonymous with offering artfully crafted eyewear and sun wear to a stylish and discerning public with an eye for beauty and function. Their product selection ranges from sleek and minimal to vibrant and eclectic. Style and function merge in unparalleled designer collections from season to season, while attentive and knowledgeable customer service rounds out the experience for the fashion-forward shopper. Dr. John Geevarghese specializing in primary eye care is the in-house optometrist and encourages all customers to come in for a SpexWellness exam. Most major medical and routine vision insurances are accepted.