Events and activities have been happening all year to mark the centennial of the Oak Park Art League. The organization has the distinction of being one of the longest continually running nonprofit arts organizations in Illinois.
“We’ve been celebrating since January,” said Oak Park resident Jill Kramer Goldstein, a longtime member of the Art League, who became executive director in August 2019. “We had a small outdoor fundraiser in June. We’re doing a Centennial Yearbook.” There will also be performances by Momenta Dance Company on Oct. 24.
“We are doing a lot more reaching out to other groups and more collaborative work,” Kramer Goldstein explained. “For instance, with Momenta, we ran a program this spring with Arbor West Neighbors and their Everyday Activist program where we hosted photographs and the stories behind these everyday activists in the Austin neighborhood and Oak Park. We had a panel discussion one evening.”
They are also creating a scholarship program for high school students who are pursuing the fine arts.
Kramer Goldstein attributes the organization’s longevity to “a lot of things,” she said. “I think we focus on local art that’s accessible for all ages. Some of our longevity definitely can be attributed to the members that we have. We try to offer lots of ways to stay active within the organization, whether that be with classes or workshops, exhibition opportunities, lectures.”
“I think it’s been the ability of whoever was in the organization at that time to change with the times,” said Kim Robinson of Oak Park, a lawyer who has been president of the Art League’s seven-member Board since July 2019. By the way, they are looking for additional members — artists or non-artists.
“One of our big focuses now certainly is inclusivity and accessibility for all. We’re not serving tea in the garden now. We are really trying to focus on bridging the gap to Austin and working with nonprofits in the Austin area.”
Kramer Goldstein agreed that the Art League’s focus has changed through the years. “When the Art League started it was geared more for adults,” she said. “Then in the ’40s and ’50s there was a big surge for art education outside of the classroom and the home, and we did fill that gap.”
Activities have also altered over the years. “We used to have potluck dinners and dances,” Kramer Goldstein reported.
There are currently over 200 members. “Those range from people that appreciate art to professional artists,” Kramer Goldstein said. Individual membership is $60 per year; an artist membership is $100 per year. Artist members have more opportunities for exhibitions and are promoted on the Oak Park Art League website. There are also special events exclusively for artist members.
The Art League offers a wide variety of events and activities.
There’s a new exhibition and opening reception every month. From Oct. 5-28, the exhibit will be “Art for Social Change: Made to Disrupt.” The opening reception is 7-9 p.m. Oct. 8.
There are a number of five-week class sessions in a variety of art areas all year. Currently, eight classes are running including classes in watercolor basics, mixed media, drawing (two classes), pastel painting, oil painting, and two classes for children — art and yoga and basic drawing.
There are also professional development programs and numerous special events.
Robinson concluded that their current goals include “trying to survive the pandemic and getting us into the next century.”
Oak Park Art League Centennial Celebration
When: through the end of the year; gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays. Momenta Dance Company performs at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. Oct. 24
Where: 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park
Tickets: Gallery admission is free. The charge for the Momenta performances hadn’t been decided at press time
Information: 708-386-9853; oakparkartleague.org
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
