Naperville Woman's Club

Save the date and join us at the Naper Settlement for the NWC 63rd Fine Art & Artisan Fair - Saturday 6/24 and Sunday 6/25/2023.

There will be over 100 artists, a free children activity tent, a community mural, a silent auction, a balloon artist, Empty Bowls pottery charity sale, music, food and beverages. 

                                            Free admission!

***Please note animals are prohibited from Naper Settlement grounds except for service dogs.***

Where to park:

~200 W. Porter Avenue parking lot

~ Municipal Center Parking Deck, 400 S Eagle Street

~ Water Street Parking Garage, 120 Water Street

~ Central Parking Facility, 75 E. Chicago Avenue

~ Van Buren Parking Deck, 43 W Van Buren Street

~ Riverwalk/Centennial Beach parking, 670 & 320 W Jackson

~ Naperville Central High School Parking Lot

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Thank you to our artists, sponsors, vendors and volunteers, Marie Gnesda, the Naper Settlement, and all the attendees for making our 62nd Fine Art & Artisan Fair a huge success. We couldn't do it without you. See you next year on June 24th & June 25th 2023.

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Here is a complete list of the award 2022 winners:

Best of show (1st Place):  Gregory Frederic

Naperville Woman’s Club  Award (2nd Place):  Inna & Alec Deriy

Awards of Excellence (3rd Place):

   Steve Wewerka (Photography)

   Terry Cunningham (Jewelry)

   April Riley Tate (Fiber)

   Feng Biddle (Painting)

   Luis Gutierrez  (Ceramics)

Awards of Merit (4th Place)

    Ralph Rankin (Photography)

    Devin Johnson (Jewelry)

    Carol Richardson (Fiber)

    Elizabeth Waddington (Painting)

    Cecile Derel (Glass)

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Thank you to Jeff Banowetz and the Naperville Sun for the wonderful article on our 2022 Fine Art & Artisan Fair!

Reprinted from the Naperville Sun:

Naperville art fair puts the emphasis on family fun

The Naperville Woman’s Club, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, once again brings the Fine Art & Artisan Fair to Naper Settlement June 25 and 26. More than 100 artists will have works on display at the annual gathering. Naperville Woman’s Club

By Jeff Banowetz

The Naperville Woman’s Club Fine Art & Artisan Fair celebrates its 63rd anniversary this year, dating back to 1959.

But before you get too impressed, think about this — the event has been held for just over half the amount of time the organization has existed. The Naperville Woman’s Club celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, giving them even more reasons to celebrate at this year’s art fair.

“They work hard every year to bring this cultural event to Naperville and the surrounding suburbs for a free family special event,” said Marie Gnesda, director of the fair. “As, of course, do the talented artists who make the show.”

The event, held June 25 and 26 this year at Naper Settlement, will bring more than 100 artists to the juried festival. The longtime Naperville tradition continues to attract attention, typically drawing more than 10,000 visitors over the course of the weekend.

“We bring in amazing artists from all over the country,” Gnesda said. “There is also food, beer and wine, music, a children’s tent, a free caricature artist, a balloon artist making hats and animals for kids and a community mural that the public participates in and paints.”

The idea is to create a festive atmosphere for the whole family as well as display the work by the artists brought to the show. The artists will be in contention for a number of prizes awarded by a panel of judges, including Best of Show. But the focus is more on their creative expression than the competition. Those include Cat Clausen, who was chosen to provide the image for the mural being created this year, and Nancy Gorman, a ceramic artist who won an award at last year’s festival.

About that mural: Clausen created the Community Mural, an 8-foot high and 12-foot long mural, which will be hidden from view. The picture has been broken down into 216 8-inch by 8-inch sections, which visitors to the fair can paint (think paint-by-numbers). Once each section is finished, it will be stapled to the structure to eventually reveal the entire mural.

Other activities this year include caricature artist Greg Steel, who will be providing caricatures of people attending the fair for free. Elizabeth Waddington will demonstrate painting techniques in her booth, and Ray Campbell will show people how to use a potter’s wheel. There’s also a 3D chalk artist who will be creating memorable images on the grounds of Naper Settlement.

The show also acts as a fundraiser for two organizations: Empty Bowls pottery will be sold by ClaySpace of Lisle to raise money for local food pantries, while a silent auction for products that the artists contribute will raise money for local charities.

Children will also be encouraged to create art themselves through hands-on activities at the children’s tent. And balloon artists will keep them entertained and get them into the spirit of the event.

While the event’s more than six-decade history speaks for itself, Gnesda credits the members who volunteer for the event and put in so much time each year to make sure the event is a memorable one.

“It’s the women of the Naperville Woman’s Club that make it special,” Gnesda said.

Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.