The more time I spend in Forest Park, the more I love it. You can say that Forest Park is one of my favorite things.
Besides all the great restaurants, bars, and shops, they have a booming arts scene. The Forest Park Arts Alliance is hosting their annual Garage Galleries Walk on Aug. 22. It’s an art show and sale with over 100 artists and 40 garages converted to galleries.
But it is also an art party in many ways. It’s a community event that started out a dozen years ago and has continued to grow. You will find hundreds of people strolling through the streets and alleys of Forest Park, visiting as many galleries as they can.
Artworks include paintings, prints, photographs, jewelry, pottery, fiber arts and crafts, woodworking, sculptures, mixed media, and even comics. Artists are from our extended community, including Forest Park, Oak Park, River Forest, Brookfield, Riverside, Maywood, Berwyn, Elmwood Park, Chicago and more!
Besides finding amazing, one of a kind, original artworks, you will also be able to connect with neighbors and garage hosts, and you’re sure to make some new friends. Dotted throughout the galleries will be some live music, a hair-braider, a face-painter, ice cream, coffee, drinks and more to make for a community-friendly event.
One great thing is that you get to meet the artists and make a personal connection to any artwork there. You can talk to them about their art, how they make it, their experience, their inspiration. Many artists are also available for custom commissions — for weddings, gifts, portraits, even custom art designed just for your space. When you go to Garage Galleries, you’re bound to find art you love. And I have no doubt that Garage Galleries will also become one of your favorite things too!
Garage Galleries is happening in 44 locations throughout Forest Park this Saturday, Aug. 22 and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, readers can visit www.garagegalleriesFP.com and @garagegalleriesforestpark on Instagram. Also check out the new interactive map where you can find all gallery locations and artists and take a virtual tour, and info on the free prize raffle.
Steve Metro is a local artist and Garage Gallery volunteer, who will be in Gallery #30 showing off his wood art and woodworks in Forest Park on Aug. 22.