RPBG Supports the Glenwood Ave Arts Fest
- Details
- Category: Latest News
- By:
- Alan Goldberg, RPBG Director
The 22nd annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest (GAAF) took place on the weekend of August 18-20. As in past years, the event was a huge success.
The festival is the largest public event in East Rogers Park, occupying five city blocks and the Family Dollar parking lot and attracting 10,000 - 15,000 people. The festival showcases the best of Rogers Park but is open to people from across the region and beyond.
The festival is produced by the Glenwood Avenue Arts District, a 501(3)c organization, whose mission is to make Glenwood Avenue and Rogers Park a destination for the arts and to create lasting benefits for the business and property owners in the general area. It is one of the only neighborhood festivals organized and produced with local volunteers, in contrast to the promoter-sponsored events that dominate Chicago’s summer festival roster. GAAF is truly one of the most unique and popular art festivals anywhere in the city.
This year, the festival showcased art exhibits from over 130 visual artists, featured a live art demonstration area, Morse Market KidFest Family Arts Area, two stages featuring over 24 musical acts, and incorporated the Glenwood Avenue Arts District Alfresco Area and Le Piano seated music section. Our own Sher Rosenberg had a booth exhibiting her Harriet’s Hides purses and, for the first time, an exhibit of Presi-doodles by Mike.
The festival is primarily supported by sponsor donations from local businesses and organizations. These include SSA #24, Morse Market, Byline Bank, Trilogy, JB Albertos and others. These sponsor donations make the festival happen, keep artist fees the most “artist friendly” in the city, and help us stay local.
The Fest organizers want to give special thanks to the Rogers Park Builders Group and all of the housing providers in the community who helped sponsor this event including Alpha Adjusting; Ellen Baren, @Properties; Al Goldberg Real Estate LLC; Becovic Management Group; Cagan Management Group; Chicago Condo Management & Maintenance Co.; Connie Abels, Remax Premier; DLG Management; Novogroder Companies, Inc.; Sweet Home Properties; Tawani Property Management; and 1415 W. Morse LLC.
