Holiday Bazaar Update from WMG

November 26 – December 23, 2004

We had a fabulous start for our Holiday Bazaar, which opened last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. The Members' Brunch was on Saturday, December 27 from 10am until noon and worries about the weather and street conditions (sewer improvements happen right in front of the Gallery) flew out the door when supporters started to come into our magical space.

The left photo shows Barbara Puechler who is volunteering with last minute arrangement of the layout of Bazaar merchandise. The photo on the right shows Bill Siavelis and Vickie Curtis on the right. Is that board president Wilma Stevens in the center? Who is on the left?

Wonderful supporters showed up, both women and men, who enjoyed a diverse buffet of refreshments including cheeses, fruits, fresh bagels and cream cheese, homemade cakes and other treats, all thanks to the donations by our board members. We had the food tables set up in our spacious hall area to keep sticky fingers off our beautiful arts and crafts tables.

We knew many of our guests, but there were other visitors who we have not met before and several of them decided to become members on the spot. Of course that ensured that they received the special 15% discount for all arts and crafts purchases on that day. Just to remind you, members receive 10% off all through the year, but during the Members' Brunch the discount is 15% except on fundraising purchase, like the Her Mark calendar.

The photo on the left shows artist, Adele Kiel by the window area. Her work is part of the Annual Holiday Bazaar for many years. View some of her masks on the picture on the right, where they are displayed on a wall behind a table with scarves, artwprk by Monica J. Brown and frames by Mroz.

Beautiful arts and crafts items are displayed carefully and there are divided opinions if all the items by one artist should be grouped together or if they should they be displayed in different places and mixed with the work of other artists, to show each off most advantageously. My personal view is that it depends on the work. I prefer color coordination and a variety of interesting things that complement each other.

But regardless of how everything is arranged, our staff, board and many devoted volunteers worked hard to help get all of the Bazaar inventory up to be ready for the start of the Bazaar.

Left photo: I recognize Sherry Brenner on the left and Board member Ann Regan second to right of Renny Mills. The photo on the right shows artwork by Rachel Slick on the main wall. Rachel creates colorful masks and ornaments out of paper mache. Other works shown on the left wall and on the table are by Eileen Wasserman who makes artful kimonos and pillows, Linda Lemons original artworks, Karen Rechtschaffen who paints imaginative and thematic themes on old wooden boxes, frames etc., Mary King's colorful paintings, Esther Charbitt's mixed media encaustic artworks, Mroz' frames, Adele Heimann's quiltworks and Zareen Sirajullah's decorative boxes, covered with beautiful fabrics.

Sonja Kruitwagen, our Gallery Director had the good idea to decorate the windows horizontally with strings of light and her other terrific idea was the Ornament Fundraiser. Many of our members responded generously and delivered or mailed in original ornaments which we displayed suspended from the light strings. It looks very cute and festive. Many of the ornaments were purchased during the Members' Brunch. We are grateful to all ornament contributors!!!

You may view some of the donated ornaments HERE

If you couldn't make it to the Members' Brunch you may want to attend the Artist Reception this Friday, December 3 from 6-9pm. You can mingle, meet the artists, get some fun stuff for yourself or for a special person, have some refreshments and just be happy with us!

Left photo: Board member Margo Jeanchild is having a difficult time. "What should I buy? Jennifer Weigel’s necklaces? Dana Daydodge’s watercolors? Regina Maniaci’s mirrors or Natalie Parker’s street glass frames?" The photo on the right shows heavy traffic building up at the check-out line which doesn't prevent Mary Ann Anthony by the computer to still find time to smile! Jere Van Syoc on the left has spent a bundle on some favorite gifts! Thanks Jere and thanks to all who bought their gifts at Woman Made Gallery!!!

To view more of the artist' work click HERE. The event is up through December 23, 2004 and Woman Made Gallery is open from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 7pm and on Saturday and Sunday we are open from noon to 4pm.

The Gallery is located just west off the 1800 block of North Western Avenue (2400 west), just in between North Avenue and Armitage. There is parking further west on Bloomingdale, or on other side streets. The street constructions are still going on, but we know that this will in no way deter you from visiting us. The Blue Line stops just a block and a half north of us in case you wish to come with the train.

Photo on the right: Top shelf from left to right: Catherine Keebler artwork, Liz Veercruysse ceramic jars, Rachel Slick paper mache tree. Bottom left: Collage by Shana Hampton, center: figurine by Ulla Anobile, right: painting by Connie Heimann.

Jeanna Moyer took the lovely photos from the Members' Brunch and thanks to her we are able to share the event with you, no matter how far away you are! We hope to see you or at least hear from you. We thank you for your great support of this organization and wish you peaceful Holidays, no matter what kind of Days you are celebrating. If you have something to share with the WMG community please email us and we'll forward it to all.

Warm greetings, Beate

Woman Made Gallery
2418 W. Bloomingdale
Chicago, IL 60618
773-489-8900
gallery@womanmade.org