RAW: A Live Exhibition of the Daily Artist May 29 through June 15 at Oak Park Public Library

Local artists will themselves be on exhibition as they create their artwork in Oak Park Public Library’s glass-walled Idea Box. The RAW (Real Art Work) exhibit will be at the Main Library, 834 Lake Street, May 29 through June 15 during regular library hours. All RAW artwork will be available for purchase at the closing reception on Saturday, June 16 from 2 pm to 4 pm.

At RAW, artists will use Oak Park Public Library’s glass-walled Idea Box as a temporary studio. With the door closed they will enjoy peace as they create their artwork. Artists will remain visible to the general public who will observe their progress from the other side of the glass.

Rarely is the general public able to watch the artist create. At RAW, artists will create in a studio environment free from comments yet sharing with visitors the challenges and camaraderie that comes with the creative process. The public will be able to watch how long it takes artists to create their work and how fun it is for the artists when they are “in the zone.” Spectators will gain a greater appreciation for the artistic experience by seeing the steps, time, and techniques artists employ in order to create a piece.

The artwork created in Oak Park Public Library’s Idea Box will be displayed in the space throughout the RAW exhibit so that the progress of the art can be seen. RAW is part performance art, part installation art, and part 2D/3D art. 20% of proceeds from art sales at the RAW closing reception will go to Oak Park Public Library’s art fund dedicated to expanding the library’s permanent art collection. 

Artists participating in RAW also participate in the “Daily Artist - Canvas and More” group on Facebook. Artists include:
 
Jennifer Downing
Stephen Hill
Jesse Howard
Faith Humphrey-Hill
Mark Moroney
Bryan Northup
Mary Jo Parker-O'Hearn
Deborah Peacock-Stoklosa
Ginny Pitre-Hay
Rick Portillo
Luis Real
Ken Reif
Jackie Ruekert-Lakely
Marion Sirefman
Steve Smith
Keith Taylor
Jenny Tiner
Olivia Tiner
Nancy Trock

RAW will be curated by Faith Humphrey-Hill and Stephen Hill.

RAW will be the next installment in Oak Park Public Library’s Idea Box, which functions as an exciting way to engage the Oak Park community. The flexible space just inside the doors at the Main Library at 834 Lake Street can be just about anything – intimate instruction space, multisensory experience, a space for play, experimentation, or content creation! Learn more about the Idea Box at http://oppl.org/events/idea-box.

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