Benjamin F. Calvert III exhibited his show “Gathering Grains and Grooves” August 23 - September 23 with an artist reception Friday, September 8th. 

Ben is a printmaker with a passion for nature and the interpretation of what is familiar. His art is created by carving images into wood, inking the wood, burnishing paper by hand onto the inked block, then pulling up the paper to reveal the print. Ben states “pulling that first print off the block is pure joy. The excitement multiplies when there are multiple blocks for each color involved. Each successive color is a layer that informs the mystery and appeal of the final image.” He also offered a mini workshop during his exhibit and teaches printmaking regularly at the Elmhurst Art Museum.

Visit Ben’s webpage, www.benjamincalvert.com to learn more about his work and future exhibits. You can also view the ACTV "Arts in Addison" segment on YouTube featuring Ben Calvert and his process which was aired Labor Day weekend. ​

The Addison Center for the Arts concluded another Free Concerts in the Park series with an outstanding lineup of music of all genres Tuesday evenings from July 11 to August 15.  The weather was beautiful, so we never had to hold our concerts indoors in the Rotunda because of rain. Thank you to all the musical groups — Lake Effect, Reunion Jazz Orchestra, Felix Fahm, Melodeers, Limited  Edition Big Band and Transformation.

Let us know what you like to hear. Suggestions are welcome. Contact the Addison Center for the Arts office 630-458-4500 or send an email to with the subject line : Concerts.
​We are looking forward to another great concert season next year.

Thank you for everyone that shopped, volunteered and contributed to the 2nd Annual Starving Artist sale Wed. Aug. 2nd - Sat. Aug. 5th, 2017 at the Addison Center for the Arts Gallery. Many took the opportunity to purchase original artwork, jewelry, pottery, art supplies, books and odds & ends all donated to ACA.

Proceeds of the sale will go to the Addison Trail Theater Boosters to support the students selected for the 2018 Illinois High School Theater Festival All-State Production of “Big Fish”.

A special thank you to board member, Irene Boutzarelos for chairing the event. 
You can view the flyer here and be sure to check out Facebook for a few snapshots of the event. 

The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago held an exhibit at the Addison Center for the Arts on June 28 - July 15, 2017. There were over 100 hundred people that attended the reception and many more filtered in to view the hard work of the artists during the weeks the show was up. 

“April showers bring May flowers,” and the Addison Center for the Arts brings to you talented artist Marge Hall and her paintings of flowers and landscapes! The ACA gallery will be presenting a collection of her oil paintings titled “Nature’s Beauty.”
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Hall is a floral portrait artist, designer, award-winner and teacher at the DuPage Art League in Wheaton, IL. The nationally recognized artist has discovered her own color vocabulary based on a pallet that combines elements of strong, almost mystical light with drama and photorealism. Her exhibit is bold and dramatic yet sensitive and intimate. It reflects the vibrant colors and luscious textures that capture the spiritual elements of nature. Her attention to detail is displayed in the subtle tonal qualities of each petal she paints.

“Nature’s Beauty” can be viewed from May 3 to June 9, 2017, on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. An artist reception, which is open to the public, will take place on Friday, May 5, 2017, from 7-9 p.m.

​​"Compilations," an exhibit of glass sculptures and photographs by Witold Sliwinski, opens Wednesday, March 22, 2017. This is the first of what the artist hopes to be many exhibits in the United States! Witold comes from Poland, with a long list of awards and honors for his unique and impressive glass sculptures and original photographs. The exhibit will be available for the public to view until April 22, 2017. The artist reception will be Friday, March 24, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. All are welcome to come and see this very exciting exhibit and meet this very talented and creative Polish artist, welcoming him and his work to Addison, IL, USA!

WITOLD SLIWINSKI PRESS RELEASE
Coming to Addison is Witold Sliwinski, Polish artist and sculptor. He will be exhibiting his glass sculptures and art March 22 - April 22, 2017, in the ACA gallery. “Compilations” is dedicated by the artist in memory of his parents.  

Witold was born on the 24th of February, 1963, in Krosno. He graduated from the State Secondary Art School in Miejsce Piastowe, from the Faculty of Applied Art Forms, as a disciple of the famous sculptor Wladyslaw Kandefer who in turn studied under the great Ksawery Dunikowski. At that time, Sliwinski was a student at the Postsecondary Photography School in Krosno. At the beginning of his artistic career, he initially dealt with drawing and graphics, but he went on to design and produce artistic and applied works of art in leather.

​By 1996, he had created many works of art in glass. Sliwinski explains, “I became fascinated in working with glass as a medium... after a period of time, some different ornamental forms began to appear in my work, which could almost be defined as being sculptures.” Slowly these forms began to influence and dominate his way of thinking, giving way to the development of contemporary artistic glasswork. These fascinating pieces of art will be exhibited at the Addison Center for the Arts, located at 213 N Lombard Rd, Addison Trail High School Door 4, Addison, Illinois. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 1-4 p.m. If a private viewing of “Compilations” is desired, it can be arranged by calling the office at (630)458-4500 or emailing info@AddisonCenterForTheArts.com.

There will be an artist reception on March 24, 2017 from 7-9 p.m., which will be open to the public. The artist, who is coming to us from Poland, will be there alongside his work that evening.  

Come and see this culmination of experience, creative maturity and passion for experimentation, combined with courage and risk-taking to bring about new innovative creations in glass — “sui generis” of “magic material.”
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RECEPTION UPDATE
The reception for "Compilations" was held on March 24, 2017. Witold Sliwinski was there for his first exhibit in the United States. Shortly after the reception, he had to return to Poland, and he left his sculptures with us! The show will be on display at the ACA until April 22, 2017.

“Dots and Lines” was an exhibit of Bala Thiagarajan's abstract paintings and mandalas. Mandala is a Sanskrit word that means circle. It symbolizes the universe and the cosmos. It is a visual representation used as a focus point for the practice of meditation. Mandalas are ancient, sacred symbols of wholeness and are used for facilitating personal growth, healing, grounding and transformation. The intense repetition of pattern captures the attention of the viewer. All of Bala’s paintings are created intuitively, painted freehand. “I add a mirror in the center of my mandala paintings, as they are about centering oneself and regaining a balance,” explains the artist. “They also allow the audience to be a part of the artwork themselves.” Bala’s mandala paintings greet viewers with a sense of familiarity, with repetitive patterns reminding them of henna art, simultaneously creating an excitement to explore more of the texture and geometry. Meet the artist now! This vibrant and colorful exhibit were at the ACA February 15 - March 17, with an artist reception on Saturday, February 18, from 6-9 p.m. 

Where do great artists and creative minds begin? Elementary school! The spontaneous creations filled with color and uninhibited imagination can only put a smile on one’s face and warmth in one’s heart. 

​From January 16th through February 3rd, Elementary School District 4 will be exhibiting artwork that students have created in their art classes. The Addison Center for the Arts is proud to host this vibrant and imaginative exhibit in the gallery, which is located at 213 N. Lombard Rd. in Addison, IL. The gallery is on the north side of Addison Trail High School. It is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 1-4 p.m. Call the ACA office at (630) 458-4500 should you have any questions.

The artists’ reception will be Wednesday, January 18th, from 5-7 p.m. The Indian Trail Jazz Band Ensemble will perform at 6 p.m. during the reception. All are invited! The arts are alive with "Young at Art," and we hope everyone can come and enjoy! ​

​Reception Update
​The "Young at Art" reception on January 18, 2017, was a huge success! Parents, grandparents, school administrators and ACA members packed the gallery to view the exhibit. All were amazed at what talent can come out of such young artists! This exhibit was a collaborative effort of all of the elementary schools in District 4. The works were done by students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. This event was hosted by the ACA in appreciation for the longstanding relationship it has with District 4 schools. The Indian Trail Jazz Band joined in the festivities, wowing the crowds with live music and impressive instrumental solos.