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Bucktown Arts Fest Shoppers Dish on Favorite Finds (PHOTOS)

By Alisa Hauser | August 31, 2015 9:53am
 Images and favorite finds from the 30th annual Bucktown Arts Fest.
Bucktown Arts Fest, 2015
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BUCKTOWN — Crowds flocked to the Bucktown Arts Fest, run completely by volunteers, for the festival's 30th anniversary bash over the weekend.

"It's family orientated and pretty much has stayed the same over the years," said Joe Galindo, a Logan Square resident who says he has been to all of past fests, dating back to 1985.

Galindo, like many folks, was carrying art he had purchased from one of the nearly 200 vendors, whose booths dotted Senior Citizens Park, 2300 N. Oakley Ave.

The festival, which does not ask for donations at the gates or have any corporate sponsors, raises money through booth fees and drink sales. The profits are used for teacher salaries at Holstein Park's art and music classes, art and music supplies for local CPS schools and more, organizers say.

Known for drawing an eclectic mix of artists from around the Midwest, the fest is often a good chance for local residents to buy art for themselves or as gifts for friends and family.

Here are a few shoppers with their favorite finds.

"One of the guys I work with likes guns. I got this for him," said Joe Galindo of a photo by Chicago-based photographer Jim Lukas.

 

Mayfair resident Robin Power, who estimates she has 100 boxes in her collection, made off with a reclaimed wood box by mp custom made.  "I've been coming here forever," Power said.

 

Bucktown residents Aram Lulla and son, Jaiden, hold two of 4 Chicago coasters by Stella Lilly. "They symbolize the city and will be nice conversation pieces when someone comes from out-of-town to visit us," Aram Lulla said.

 

A Bucktown resident whose name this reporter unfortunately neglected to grab shares three similiar faces by Janice Aponte that will hang together in her bathroom.

 

Julia Ptasznik's father bought a sunflower from a street vendor for $4 on the way to the fest, where he was exhibiting art.  The younger Ptasznik encouraged strangers to pull out the sunflower seeds and enjoy the natural treat.   "You can buy sunflower seeds in stores everywhere but we were surprised how many people did not know where the seeds come from. In Poland, people eat them by pulling the seeds from the flower," Tom Ptasznik said.

 

 

A photo posted by alisa (@alyinwicker) on

One work by Stephanie Rohr juxtaposed old-fashioned cross-stitch with the modern trend of people sounding off behind the anonymity of the Internet.

Rohr said the piece was inspired by a link to an Ann Coulter article that one of her Facebook friends posted and raised some frustration on her part.

"Don't read the comments is something I have to remind myself about. Because if I read them, it makes me want to comment and nobody wants to read my comments," Rohr said.

 

More photos from the fest:

Avis Smeltzer, who was one of the original founders of the fair in 1985 along with her husband Bob Smeltzer, called the 30th running of the fest "Overwhelming but delightful."

 

Rebbeca Prettyman with her adopted Greyhound, Zuzu.  

 

Eva Bergant, a volunteer with the Bucktown Community Organization, which had a tent at the fest.

A vounteer at the beer tent.

 

A hula hooper from Subconscious Development Motion Project.

 

A 30th year anniversary sculpture.

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