Ms. Smarty Pants Know It All

Here is an amazing artist I saw at the 2008 smART show. Deva Suckerman paints mainly on found wood. Her images work with the existing features of the wood to create some truly remarkable and breathtaking compositions. (Haven #2)

She had a great position at the show, and I thought the organizers were so savvy to have her there. As the first artist at the main entrance, she stopped so many people dead in their tracks. They oohed and ahed the entire time I was there. I think Deva’s art set the tone that the organizers wanted visitors to put in their minds as they set off to see the rest of the show.

She uses acrylics and with it, she can make an image either stand out on, blend in with, or even appear to emerge from the wood. (Apparition)

The uniqueness and three-dimensionality of her pieces make my photographs poor representations. I encourage you to check out her online gallery but more importantly, go see her work in person. They are arresting.

Tags: Art by Ms.
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As everyone in Chicago knows, it rained this weekend. No, it rained this weekend—for almost three days straight.

Poor Lincoln Park Art Faire and the Renegade Craft Fair. They were both outdoors and suffered for it. I hear that sales were still pretty positive for the Renegade though. As for me, rather than braving the elements, I stayed indoors at the smART show.

Whether it was due to the weather or because the organizers advertised so well, the place was jumping. Talk in the halls was that over seven hundred people packed in on Friday night. From my perspective, they did a great job putting together this first-time arts festival.

For the regulars of Around the Coyote, which used to be the main arts organizer around this neighborhood, they’ll certainly recognize the labyrinthine hallways of the Flat Iron Building. And no one who’s ever trekked these twisted corridors can forget the weird heat that is always there, regardless of the weather outside.

But this time around, there was a fresh coat of paint on the walls. And with the smaller artist line-up, there was an increase in overall quality. The art itself was strong but it also seemed like the artists themselves were more serious.

My overall impression is that this group took pride in how their artwork is presented. They also cared about how they present themselves as artists. But in the casual setting of the Flat Iron, they—and their art—were accessible. For example, the live painting demo is a great idea.

The patrons must have agreed with me because I saw a lot of people walking out with purchases. In this economy, it’s a tough time for artists so I was very happy to see people selling.

Tags: Art, Chicago by Ms.
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Things are hopping in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago this weekend. Even though the Around the Coyote festival has been gentrified out of the area, these two concurrent events are trying to pick up the arts slack.

The smART show is produced by The Flat Iron Artists’ Association. Like Coyote before it, this event will take place across multiple area venues, but the heart is still going to be the artists in the Flat Iron Building. Visit their website and you’ll see all the music options they’ve added this year. At the Debonair Social Club, they plan to combine live improv music with live improv painting. That should be interesting.

The festival kicks off on Friday at 6:00 and continues through the weekend. 1579 North Milwaukee.

On Saturday, just down the street, the Renegade Craft Fair opens at noon. This fair just gets bigger and hipper every year. Instead of it being in the park, it’s going along the street this time. Take a walk down Division between Damen and Hermitage and you’ll see over 250 booths—some selling shirts too cool for you to wear. And they’ve added live music to their line up as well.

Should the rain hold off, this Saturday and Sunday are going to be hip culture overload.

Postscript added September 17: Read my follow-up review of the smART show.

Tags: Art, Chicago by Ms.
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