Page 11 - Leisure Living Magazine: July 2021 Edition

Local Artists Showcased
At Vermilion Arts Guild Gallery
In the City of Vermilion, the shops, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and waterfront views are all part of its vivacious and engaging personality. Its picturesque streets, historic homes and waterfront views also make it the perfect location for a thriving artist community.
Founded in 2006 as part of Main Street Vermilion, the Vermilion Arts Guild has a mission to “enrich our community by providing opportunities that promote and identify Vermilion as an exciting artist’s community.” The Arts Guild holds a number of events throughout the year and also operates the Vermilion Arts Guild Gallery located inside the Main Street Vermilion offices at 685 Main Street.
Marilou Suszko, Executive Director of Main Street Vermilion, said there are 35 different artists represented in the gallery and many of them are from Vermilion. They create many different works of art including watercolor, acrylic, fiber art, jewelry, pottery, photography and prints.
“Visitors can purchase many different pieces at the gallery. They include jewelry and pottery work. There are even original cards created by the artists,” she said.
Janet Waggoner is an art teacher who moved back to her family’s cottage in Linwood Park when she retired about 10 years ago. She is an active member of the Arts Guild because she wants to see more people get involved with art. In addition to creating watercolor paintings, Waggoner helps to organize the Arts Guild’s annual Community Art Show and Student Art Show. She sees 2021 as being a very exciting year for visitors to enjoy artwork in Vermilion.
The guild will be showcasing local artists by holding a number of different events this year including four art shows with different themes
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“All Washed Up” features artwork created from driftwood.
at the Gallery. At each show, visitors will be able to view and purchase artwork, including cards, original paintings, and more.
Spring Into Summer - through July 12
Sea and Shore - July 17 - Sept 5
Natures Bounty - Sept 11 - Oct 31; and Christmas and Holiday - Nov 6 - Dec 22 Waggoner said the Arts Guild conducts
workshops to enable visitors to learn more about art and create their own artwork. They include beginner workshops in water color and jewelry making.
One of the most popular local art events in Vermilion is called “Chalk It Up” and is a fundraiser for Main Street Vermilion, Waggoner said. The event was held in 2020 but the format was changed somewhat due to COVID. Artists created chalk paint creations on 4 X 4 sheets of paper which were
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By Maggie Kelch, Feature Writer
July 2021 LeisureLiving | 11