Local Talent On Display At Algonquin's Art On The Fox

Jeff Kennedy painted one fishing lure every day for 365 days straight. The idea evolved into a book, and the Algonquin artist – who won first place at the fourth Annual Art on the Fox show this weekend – also was the creator of the show’s promotional signs displayed about town.

Roughly 40 artists were featured in the juried event, and their works included paintings, glass, photography, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media and ceramics. The village of Algonquin and the Algonquin Public Arts Commission sponsored Art on the Fox, held Saturday and Sunday at Riverfront Park.

“After that (the lure paintings), then I started to paint fish, and now I do one per week. But the rule is not to spend more than a half hour on one painting,” Kennedy said, as he paged through a collection of his original pastels.

An art professor bought Kennedy’s book, Drawing Flies 365, at the show, which didn't go unnoticed by the judges.

“The judges really felt that says it all,” said event director Ann Leslie. “… when an instructor uses an artist’s work as (a model) for students.”

Judges were Tom Vician, who teaches ceramics at McHenry County College, and Arthur Hand, photography instructor at the school. Vician exhibited his work at the show as well.

Second-place winner Andrea Alto, of Algonquin’s Northern Lights Creations, is a watercolorist.

“Watercolor is really hard,” Leslie said. “You can’t cover up the paint if you don’t like it once you’ve put it down.”

Judges noted that Alto’s work included several exceptional pieces.

With third-place distinction, Andrew Rousey of Woodstock was recognized for his photography that judges said reflected deliberate choices.

“He has established an eye that is just so good after years of experience,” said Leslie.

Jeweler Monica Sargeant, of Delia’s Delight Jewelry in Woodstock, and Dwight Lohman, a photographer from Carpenstersville, garnered honorable mention.

But the show was about more than placing in the top five best-of-show placements.

“This is a hometown show that gives artists experience of how to be in an art show, too,” said Leslie, who talked about important elements of art show displays. “Each booth serves as a tiny gallery. The booth should be like a good painting. (It should compel) the eye to keep moving around the booth, and if it stops, then you did it wrong.”

Good ventilation and open space also are vital to making the booth comfortable to guests, she said.

Other Algonquin artists in the event included:

• painter Anne Marie Cina
• jeweler Jean M. Fedell of Naivasha Designs
• Al and Debbie Howard, of River Art Studio and Gallery
• Raquel Colon and Hallie Morrison of JAPAK
• jewelers Debbie L. and Jim Rauschert of LyleLynn
• Kenneth R. Webster, a painter and member of the Algonquin Arts Commission