Dec. 4 & 5: 7 West Trunk Show

Trunk show in downtown Aurora shines spotlight on local artists, handcrafted items

AURORA – On Dec. 4 and 5, Lisa Gloria will make you ooh and aah as she opens her art studio to the public for a multiple artist trunk show in downtown Aurora.

About a dozen local artists, along with Gloria, will offer their work for sale at 7 West Studio located at 7 W. Downer in the historic Sherer Block building on Stolp Island, just west of Stolp Avenue.

Gloria, a realist painter, is thrilled to open up her studio to other creative types.

Artists joining Gloria are Jennifer Trudo, Marie Lubshina, Lisa Manning, Don Picton, Gene Ruby, Emma Herrick, Gail Chrisse, Maureen Gasek, Heather Ivanovich, Jen Evans and Fawn Clarke-Peterson.

The trunk show will fill Gloria’s studio with handmade jewelry, mixed media collage, paintings, clothing, soap creations, screenprinted t-shirts and more.

They chose the first weekend in December so holiday shoppers can have an opportunity to buy local gifts and support area artists.

“There will be a lot of cool stuff that makes great gifts,” Gloria said. The theme for the inaugural trunk show is “Clever, Shiny, Strange, Pretty!” And guests are sure to have a fun time “rummaging” through locally made art and other treasures.

The trunk show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Entry to the trunk show is free. Street parking is available on Downer Place; a convenient parking garage is located at the southeast corner of Downer Place and Stolp Avenue.

Other downtown businesses are also opening up during the weekend to create something of a downtown holiday spectacular.

Amaury Rosado will also open his upscale eatery, Chef Amaury at 33 West along Restaurant Row on New York Street, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday with free hot chocolate and a "Merry Christmas" greeting. Matt and Heather Hook will sell Narimon products, handmade by Thai women, during the trunk show at Business Solutions, 14 W. Downer Pl., across the street from 7West Studio.

E-mail lisagloria@gmail.com for more information. Or visit the website at 7weststudio.com.

Nov. 20: Gallery 44 open studio in downtown Aurora

You are cordially invited to an

ANNUAL FALL OPEN STUDIO

Saturday, Nov 20th, 5:30 p.m.

GALLERY 44 FINE ART STUDIOS

50 E. Galena, 2nd floor, Aurora, IL 60505

Join Cheryl Holz and fellow Gallery 44 artists

Anne Von Ehr, Cassidy Alexander, David Hettinger and Scott Harding

in Gallery 44's studios on the Fox River for their annual soiree.

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a glass of wine while you stroll from studio to studio!

Guest artists are:

Natasha Lehrer- fiber artist, felt-maker and founder of Esther's Place, a fiber arts studio and retreat in Big Rock www.esthersplacefibers.com

Nadine Shoemaker- a new local potter showing off her latest ceramic wares!

David Alexander- An expert in the art of hand cut silhouettes. David will be cutting silhouette portraits all evening for $12!

Joyce Reuland-watercolorist and former Gallery 44 artist!

Nov. 18: Turkey Day and Diabetes at VNA

VNA of Fox Valley is offering a free workshop entitled “Thanksgiving with Diabetes” on Thursday, November 18 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at 400 N. Highland Avenue, Aurora. Nutritionist Sandra Meister will offer healthful tips on how to control blood sugars while still enjoying the traditional Thanksgiving foods. The workshop is open to everyone and family members of diabetics are also encouraged to attend. Snacks will be provided and everyone who attends will be entered into a drawing for a special Thanksgiving door prize. Call Kathy Astin at 630-482-8183 to register by Wednesday, November 17.

Nov. 18: Opening Art Reception at 33 West

Opening Reception:

An opening art reception featuring work by nationally known collage artist Laura Lein-Svencer will be held from 5:30 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 18 at Chef Amaury at 33 West. Lein-Svencer is the co-founder of the Midwest Collage Society and will be available to answer questions and talk about her work, workshops and classes. The exhibit runs through Jan 3 at Chef Amaury at 33 West on New York Street's Restaurant Row in Aurora.

Chef Amaury at 33 West is an upscale eatery located at 33 W. New York St. in downtown Aurora. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, visit www.chefamaury.com for more information. Convenient parking is available in West Suburban Bank's parking lot at the northwest corner of River and New York streets.

Local artists are featured bimonthly to support the arts and art awareness in our community. For more information about this event or information on exhibiting at Chef Amaury’s please contact Maureen Gasek at maureen@epsilondesign.net.

Nov. 17: New Haven Park opening

Grand opening of New Haven Park set for Nov. 17
AURORA – The public is invited to join Fox Valley Park District staff and community leaders from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17, for the grand opening of New Haven Community Park.

The ceremony will feature a complimentary lunch sponsored by Pockets, along with games, crafts and various speakers.

Located on New Haven Avenue just west of Highland Avenue, the park is highlighted by two ball fields with lights – one for Pony League play and the other for Little League. Other features include two multi-use soccer-style fields, playground, shelter, restrooms, a 1/2 -mile asphalt path along the perimeter and a large, open play area.

A centrally located parking lot with drop-off zone will accommodate 170 vehicles. Surrounding parkland is dotted with native plant landscaping and natural buffer zones along its edges. A naturalized storm water detention pond near the park’s entrance may double as an ice skating area during winter months.

Other potential future developments include a possible mini disc golf practice course and a skateboard park area.

The 18-acre park was created from urban green space in the heart of a highly developed residential area. It was acquired and funded by the 2008 Open Space, Park and Recreation Investment (OSPRI) plan. The park is a cooperative effort based on an intergovernmental partnership with the Kane County Forest Preserve District and City of Aurora, which have committed funding toward the park’s acquisition and development, respectively.