Posted 8/16/2013 for immediate release.
Media Contact:
Larry Betz, Belleville Historical Society President
618-531-7753 | bellevillehistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Photos available for media use »
[Belleville, Illinois]—Historic buildings and sites across Belleville will play muse to twelve prominent artists Sept. 21 at the Belleville Historical Society’s 2nd Annual “Paint Historic Belleville” Plein Air Art Auction and fair.
Belleville for the event. More photos »
Historical Society president Larry Betz says the event, which is free and open to the public, touches two worlds – history and art.
“It’s another way to raise awareness of our city’s surviving history,” Betz says. “We aren’t just putting it in a book or up on a website. We’re inviting people to see our local heritage as a subject of art.”
From a street fair with live music to painting en plein air (French for “in the open air”), the event is a robust celebration of the arts.
From 8 a.m. to noon, 12 local artists will paint outdoors at historic sites throughout Belleville. Starting at 9:30 a.m., fifth and sixth grade students from Belleville District 118 will join the artists to paint as well. The public is invited to visit sites to watch the artists work (see below for a list of locations and artists).
The 12 students, chosen by District 118 art teachers, were selected for not just for their artistic talent, but also their leadership roles among their peers.
Says Betz: “We hope this experience will get these kids invested in their hometown and build civic pride. This is just one way they can become more engaged in their city’s history and culture.”
At 1 p.m., a public auction of the artists’ paintings will begin at the Historic Garfield Street Saloon (633 E. Garfield St.; corner of Mascoutah Avenue and Garfield Street). All proceeds will benefit preservations efforts by the Belleville Historical Society.
Adding to the festivities, a Street Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Garfield Street location, with live music by Dade Farrar. The fair will include face painting, chalk art, crafts, and more; refreshments will also be available.
Most of the painting sites were selected for their significant historical architecture, which Betz notes further melds the themes of history and art. The artists, all from the region, were chosen for their prominence in the local arts community and their chops as plein air artists.
A map and information about each site and artist is available here: bellevillehistoricalsociety.org/plein-air.
“It’s easy for us to take for granted what we have in Belleville,” Betz says. “I hope this event will help people take notice that what we have is something special.”
Event Details
What: 2nd Annual “Paint Historic Belleville” Plein Air Art Auction and fair
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2013 (Rain date: Saturday, October 5)
Schedule:
- 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Artists paint at 12 historic sites throughout Belleville
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Street Fair at Garfield Street and Mascoutah Avenue with live music, crafts, face painting, refreshments and more
- 1 p.m. Auction of paintings at the Historic Garfield Street Saloon (633 E. Garfield St.); proceeds benefit the Belleville Historical Society
Artists and Locations (view map):
- Signal Hill Boulevard Street Scene (near Signal Hill School at 40 Signal Hill Place): Susan Rogers
- Lindenwood University Main Building (2600 W. Main St.): Nancy Frederich
- 10th Street Bakery (1021 W. Main St.): Marilyn Bradley
- St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Façade (211 S. 3rd St.): Carolyn Karasek
- Firestone Tire Store (232 W. Main St.): Brad Eilering
- Old Washington Theater (228 W. Main St.): Susan Winters
- Turner Hall North Façade (15 N. 1st St., at corner of W. A St.): Gary Karasek
- Renner Funeral Home / Adam Gintz Mansion (120 N. Illinois St.): Shawn Cornell
- Old Lincoln Hotel / Original Oddfellows Hall (100 N. High St.): David Cornell
- Weyhaupt Brothers Meat Packing Company Sign (1510 Lebanon Ave.): Bill Evans
- Old Bell City Battery Store (1030 Freeburg Ave.): Joyce Neutzling
- Historic Garfield Street Saloon (633 E. Garfield St.): Michael Anderson
Photos for media use
These photos from previous Plein Air Art Auction events are available for download for media use. Please contact Larry Betz, Belleville Historical Society President, for additional inquiries: 618-580-3825.
The Belleville Historical Society was chartered in 2010 to actively preserve the history of Belleville, Illinois. Past and current projects have included purchasing and renovating several historic homes and buildings in Belleville, including the Garfield Street Historic Saloon; salvaging the Art Deco pillars original to the WPA-constructed Belleville Township Stadium; and increasing awareness of Belleville architect Charles E. King through exhibits and a house tour.
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