STREET VIEW
Art. Culture. Community.
Dec 2023

November Recap

November was an exciting month at Water Street Studios. We hosted Winterfest Art Market, celebrated the launch of the new Community Gallery, and had a successful Giving Tuesday.

We hosted Winterfest Art Market in collaboration with Batavia MainStreet Nov 10th-12th. With the participation of our neighbors at Kiss the Sky and Hearth & Hammer we had our most successful market to date, welcoming 2000+ visitors over the weekend. Some highlights were:

- 36 local artist and artisans selling handmade goods.

- The launch of the Community Gallery.

- Clay lab subscribers made record sales and had a successful fundraiser. Funds go to clay lab expansion.

- School of Art hosted 6 holiday themed classes throughout the weekend.

Thank you to all who visited and supported our local artists, artisans, clay makers, and resident studios! And a huge thank you to our sponsors who helped make the market possible: Brother Chimp Brewing, J&E Restorations, Ace Graphics, and Bank Financial.

Over Winterfest weekend we celebrated the opening of the first Community Gallery exhibition titled No Place Like Home. This was an open call where each participant was given a house shaped shadow box and the prompt “show us what home means to you.” We had 50+ community members of all ages and skill levels participate. Each house was placed along rails in the second floor gallery creating a community of dream homes.

In January 2024 the second floor gallery will become the permanent home for the Community Gallery. Keep an eye out for more open calls! Click the button to view a video of the No Place Like Home exhibition or learn how you can participate.

Learn more

Events

Sounds of the Studio: The Luis Alcantar Trio

Dec 28th, 7-10pm

Join us for live music as a part of our Sounds of the Studio Series! We welcome the Luis Alcantar Trio to Water Street Studios. Tickets are $30 each and include one drink from the bar. Fancy Nancy's delicious charcuterie cups will be available for purchase and the Water Street bar will be selling drinks. Click the button below to get your tickets!

Get Your Tickets

Galleries

Resident Artist & Instructor Show

Exhibition runs Dec 8th - Jan 7th

In December we are honoring our resident artists and school of art instructors. Their talents will be on display in the Dempsey family gallery through the first weekend in January. Thank you to everyone who made it to the opening reception on Dec 8th! It was a lovely evening of conversation and celebration. See a video of the evening here.

Pictured work by Sharon Feller, David Wensel, Maria Ananieva, and Erin Wegener

Kane County Magazine Featured Artist Exhibition
Exhibition runs Dec 8th - Jan 7th
Each month of the past year a Water Street affiliated artist has been featured in the Kane County Magazine. There is a special showcase of their work in the KC Magazine gallery, which is the axillary gallery located outside the office. Congratulations to each of you!

Jill Adzia
Kelley Cappell
Maggie Capettini
Phil Schorn
Meaghan Green
Kyle Sowa
Kristin Schimmel
Melisa Celaya
Gary Cudworth
Jim Jenkins
Leah Holmer

Chicagoland 4x5 Show

The Largest “small” Art Exhibit in the Nation

Exhibition runs Dec 8th - Jan 7th

Each December the second floor gallery hosts the winners of the Chicagoland 4x5 show. Originally conceptualized in 1999 by Fremd High School in Palatine, participating schools challenge their students to create original works in a 4 inch by 5 inch space constraint. The show has grown from 12 participating schools to 40+ and over 1000 original works of art. Make sure you stop by the second floor before this show comes down!

Photo Credit: Chicagoland 4x5 Art Exhibition. Visit the 4X5 website here.

School of Art

Winter Break Art Classes and Camps for Kids and Teens

Winter Art & Literature Workshop (ages 7-12) with Rose White

Dec 27th, 9-11am

Patterns in Nature Workshop (two sessions) with Rose White

Ages 7-11, Dec 28th, 10-11am

Ages 11-16, Dec 28th, 1-3pm

Make your own Stuffie Workshop (ages 7-11) with Rose White

Dec 29th, 9am-11am

Winter Break Camp: Contemporary Painting & Drawing (two sessions)

with Kristin Schimmel

Ages 6-10, Jan 2nd-5th, 10:30am-12:30pm

Ages 11-16, Jan 2nd-5th, 1:30-3:30pm

Click the button for more information and to register!

Register Here

Need a gift for the creative in your life? From painting and drawing to ceramics and jewelry making there is something for everyone. Click the button below to explore the course catalogue.

View Course Catalogue

Calls for Art

Community Gallery Open Call Hopes & Dreams

Deadline to submit: January 1st, 2024

Artwork Drop-off: January 7th, 2024

We are kicking off the new year in the Community Gallery with the theme Hopes & Dreams. Show us your hopes and dreams, and what inspires them. 2D & 3D pieces are welcome! This open call is available to artists of all ages and skill level, and there are two ways to participate!

- Submit your original artwork. Included in the cost of submission is one 2 inch wooden cube to design that will be used to build a collaborative sculptural piece. We will also send one 2 inch cube to a low income student and provide instruction so they may contribute to the collaborative sculpture.

- Or you can Share a Dream! For $10 you can purchase a cube for yourself to design, and we’ll send an additional cube to a low income student.

More info/Register here

Bar Evolution Pop-up Gallery: Small Wonders

Exhibition runs Jan 8th - March 3rd, 2024

What if, instead of setting resolutions in the new year, we devote our daily intentions to identifying and admiring Small Wonders all around us? To welcome and luxuriate in comfort? After all, when we accept Small Wonders, we qualify ourselves to imagine great wonders. 

- Application Due Date: Friday, December 22nd 

- Notification of Acceptance: Saturday, December 30th

- Show Reception: Saturday, January 20, 3-5 pm - complimentary appetizers provided at Bar Evolution

Click the button below for full details and to apply.

Apply here

Community Partners

CFFRV Scholarship Opportunity

Applications due January 31st, 2024

Scholarships are available to high school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students who will be enrolled in school full time. One application gives you access to 200 scholarships. Click the button below for more information and to apply.

More info