The two-day St. Charles Festival of Fine Arts combines artistic excellence, a beautiful river setting and live music. St. Charles is located 40 miles west of Chicago within the Fox River Valley. For more than 15 years, the Illinois town has hosted the May event celebrating the creative spirit. Its juried show is one of the town's signature events and is enjoyed by thousands of art lovers each year.
Behind the Scenes
- The St. Charles Fine Art Show organizers' commitment to and reputation for displaying quality works of art begins with a panel of three judges, each a professional from the world of art and design. The balance of fine art exhibited and available for sale is achieved through careful selection from the various media submitted. More than 100 artists exhibit and compete for cash prizes. The show is presented by the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, Inc., along with other local organizations, and is managed by volunteers.
The Art
- As many as 10,000 people attend the fine art show each year. Exhibited works represent diverse categories, including clay/ceramics, fiber, fine art jewelry, fine art photography, glass, mixed media, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wood. Awards and cash prizes are presented to artists for outstanding works. Honors include a single Best of Show award, three Judges Awards and six Merit Awards. During the event, artists offer live demonstrations, lectures on the artistic process and panel discussions on topics pertaining to arts and crafts.
Purchase Award Program
- Art show patrons enjoy the opportunity to participate in the event's Purchase Award Program by pledging to spend a designated dollar amount on show purchases. For their commitment and support of the arts, they receive the privilege of attending a pre-show reception with exhibiting artists along with the opportunity to preview selected works. Contributors also enjoy the benefit of admission to the sponsor tent during show hours for a break from the bustle.
Beyond the Show
- With the show site situated in the heart of downtown St. Charles, attendees are strategically located to enjoy community amenities. The downtown district contains a host of appealing restaurants and shops housed in historically significant buildings. Of special interest is Hotel Baker. Dating back to 1928, the hotel is on the nation's Register of Historic Places. Another "must-see" downtown building is the landmark Arcada Theater. Once a stop on the vaudeville circuit, the restored theater is known as the "Gem of Fox Valley." The city's natural assets are experienced with a stroll along the riverwalk. This pathway follows the Fox River providing lovely views of the mature business district.
