Fourteen locations, from Elgin to Aurora, are participating in this year’s Fox River Arts Ramble, a one-day self-guided art tour across the Fox Valley.
This annual event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Each location will have art on display and the opportunity to meet the artists. It will occur rain or shine. There is no admission fee to visit any of the locations. Whether you visit one location, all locations or any number in between, this event is an opportunity to discover, shop, and experience some fantastic artists and art locations in Fox Valley.
A pendant by Court and Spark Studio, just one of the vendors who will be at Fine Line for the Fox River Arts Ramble Courtesy of Court and Spark Studio
ELGIN
The Funky Rooster Tattoo and Art Gallery
73 S. Grove Ave.
This tattoo and art gallery is home to two colorful resident artists with a gorgeous variety of 2-D canvas works on display. One of the artists, Sarah Mooney, works with florals and portraits with a retro vibe, while Jose Manuel’s pieces are influenced by his Mexican culture and growing up in Mexico.
ST. CHARLES
23 Bins
6N586 Route 31
Cara Buono, owner of 23 Bins, is a patternmaker, clothing designer, and textile artist. The 23 Bins clothing line, REscued Collection-2024, is part of a movement in the fashion industry that creates a safe, healthy, and sustainable world by using recycled textiles to make new garments. Cara has been a booth artist at Fine Line in previous years, but this year, she has chosen to open up her studio to the public.
Fine Line Creative Arts Center
37W570 Bolcum Road
Fine Line Creative Arts Center is hosting 21 artists this year who will have a wide range of art for sale at the Fine Line Artisan Market. Find one-of-a-kind items, all handcrafted by local artists, with a mix of wall art, jewelry, glass, clothing and more, as well as both functional and decorative ceramics.
Artists selling at Fine Line include: Alan Shontz — Hot Potato Glass; Amy Simpson Glass; Andrea's Wired Designs; Art For All Elgin; Carol Simpson; Caroline Barnard Art Studio; Court and Spark Studio; Frandson Hart Leather Goods; Indie Art Park; JG Artistic Creations; J.L. Younglove Ceramics; Jane Cooper Hong; Jennifer Anne Designs; Jennifer Lee Chou; Maria Ananieva; Matt Brej Ceramics; Monica Casey Ceramics; Nancy Krahn Jewelry Design; Suramics Pottery; Victoria Fischetti; and Wild Hill Pottery.
There will be live music with Bionic Nana at 10 a.m., Matthew Kopecky at 11 a.m., Ryan Caldwell featuring Ryan Worthy at noon, Facing Winter at 1 p.m., Matt Shukin at 2 p.m., and Zachary Sonny Edward at 3 p.m.
Fine Line faculty will be showcasing their art, including glassblowing by Alan Shontz and blacksmithing by Dan Caldwell. Fatima Figueiredo will do watercolors, and Carol Zack will show her skill in soft pastel painting. There will also be weaving, spinning and pottery wheel throwing demonstrations.
A food truck and a locally crafted beer vendor will be on-site throughout the day: Inches Taco Food Truck from Elgin and Riverlands Brewing Co. from St. Charles.
In addition to the Artisan Market, the Fine Line location at this year’s Fox River Arts Ramble will feature live music and art demos. There also will be a food truck. Courtesy of Fine Line
116 W. Main St.
116 Gallery aims to inspire a dynamic collaboration of artistic experiences in various media by fusing the visual narratives of compelling artists with a gallery platform dedicated to reflecting the universal language of the arts.
Hunt House Creative Arts Center
113 E. Main St.
Leslie Hunt (owner of Hunt House and a native of St. Charles) has spent her life as a musician, composer, vocalist, recording artist, and music instructor. Leslie also loves to paint, and her paintings are displayed throughout the 3,000-square-foot building on both levels.
3AM Studio
138 N. 11th Ave.
3AM Studio is a great space with unique paintings and welded metal sculptures. Kelly Swayne and Todd Willing often collaborate on paintings, creating compelling and innovative art.
GENEVA
Proud Fox Gallery & Frame Shop
213 W. State St.
Proud Fox has been a regular part of the Fox River Arts Ramble for many years. This year, their featured artist is Richard Sperry, who has a collection called “So this is 60 — A Celebration in Art” on display at Proud Fox. The artist will be there to meet and greet visitors. On display will also be thousands of artworks by hundreds of artists in all genres and styles for your enjoyment and consideration.
128 School St.
Shari Hohl specializes in pastel and oil paintings. Her work includes people, pet portraits, buildings, and landscapes. She has also completed many pen-and-ink drawings of commercial buildings and homes. This is her first year participating in the Fox River Arts Ramble, and she is a great addition to this event.
1031 E. State St.
At Studio Patty D, you will find various artistic gifts for creative souls. You will discover colorful, vibrant florals, stylized characters, and endearing, amusing animals transformed into art prints, note cards, light switch covers and accessories for your home, for yourself, and to give as gifts.
799 Parker Court
Caitlin Palagi paints in oil and acrylic. The slow and fluid movement of oils evokes more emotive pieces for Caitlin. You will often find people, hands, and faces as subjects. Conversely, her acrylic work is whimsical and incorporates aspects of the environment in a bright and joyful way.
227 S. Seventh St.
When you visit the Geneva Public Library gallery, you will see “Prairie and Particles,” an exhibition of work by artist Georgia Schwender.
BATAVIA
160 First St.
This is Hearth & Hammer’s first year on the Ramble tour. This location will host pop-up artists and artisans within its shop, which curates quality, crafted goods.
160 S. Water St.
Water Street Studios is a community art nonprofit with award-winning galleries, 25 artist studios, a School of Art, and a thriving Clay Lab. On ramble day, Water Street will offer hands-on experiences in their Clay Lab and a ceramics sale shop. Take a tour of the historic building, meet with the resident artists, or check out “Telling Her Story,” currently on exhibit in the Community Gallery, featuring 94 artists. At 1 p.m., Algonquin artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner will lead an “Artist Talk” to discuss her show, “Portraits and Memories: Legacies of Service,” currently on exhibit in the Dempsey Family and KC Magazine Galleries. Personal stories and memories are integral to her work as Hill-Soldner links the experiences of veterans and those of their loved ones through a poignant visual program.
At Water Street Studios in Batavia, Algonquin artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner will discuss her show, “Portraits and Memories: Legacies of Service.” Courtesy of Water Street Studios
AURORA
440 W. Galena Blvd., 2nd floor
While a bit off the beaten path, this studio is well worth the trip. Laura Lynne is a mixed-media and mural artist specializing in colorful and whimsical nature-inspired artworks for kids. Attendees can see the classroom space for summer art camps and kids can bring along their dolls or plushies to tour the mini art gallery.
Visit www.foxriverarts.com to download your map of the locations taking part.
