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newlenoxpatriot.com Life & Arts
the New Lenox Patriot | March 22, 2018 | 21
Artworks 2018 showcases creativity of D122, D210 students
Laurie Fanelli, Freelance
Reporter
The 2018 edition of Art-
Works featured something
for everyone, including vibrant
paintings, classical
music, interactive collages
and more.
Lincoln-Way Community
High School District 210
sponsored the well-attended
event on Saturday, March
17, which involved students
from 32 area schools, as
well as professional artists.
The free family-friendly
festival – now in its 23rd
year – allowed attendees to
view hundreds of original
works of art while expressing
their own creativity by
instructor-led activities including
sessions on origami,
relief printing and jewelry
making. Hickory Creek Vocal
Ensembles, the Lincoln-
Way Youth Strings Orchestra
and the Lincoln-Way
East Jazz Combo were also
on hand to perform throughout
the day.
Frankfort resident and
Hickory Creek eighth-grader
Dane Dal Bianco shared
his musical talents with Art-
Works attendees by performing
a song as a member of a
trio.
“We’re singing a song
called ‘The Knight and the
Dragon’ which is a fantasy
style piece,” he said. “It’s
very upbeat and tells a story
about a fantasy scenario. It’s
a fun song to sing.”
Members of the Hickory
Creek ensembles performed
in the cafeteria where attendees
could enjoy the music
while looking at the sprawling
Student Art Exhibit.
Mokena resident Ava Narcissi
– a fifth-grader at St.
Mary School – was inspired
by spring when creating her
featured work.
“I drew with oil pastel
paints and it’s three flowers;
Lincoln-Way Central student Payton Eggert, of New Lenox,
sets up the kite making demo.
a rose, daffodil and sunflower,”
she explained.
Works from professional
artists including John Tylk
(oil paintings), Ted Fuka
(pastels) and Ken Hawke
(photography) were also on
display in the cafeteria. Tylk
and Fuka were even on hand
to answer questions and lead
demonstrations.
Several art students from
Lincoln-Way West, Central
and East lent a helping hand
throughout the day assisting
young attendees in creating
their own masterpieces during
the hands-on demos in
the classrooms.
New Lenox resident Payton
Eggert – who takes Ceramics
2 at Central – assisted
during the kite demonstration.
“This event is great because
you can express yourself
and show younger kids
that art is fun and you don’t
have to be a really good artist
to enjoy art,” he said. “I
think that’s really important.”
Along with all the Art-
Works fun, attendees were
also invited to stop by
the Frankfort Community
Showcase which was taking
place simultaneously in
the Field House. Lunch was
available in the cafeteria and
all proceeds from concessions
purchases benefited
the high school art clubs.
Members of the Fine Arts
faculty of District 210 began
coordinating the event
back in October 2017 taking
care to ensure that the public
would experience the entire
spectrum of talents local students
have to offer.
District Art Department
Chairman Phil Labriola
loves that ArtWorks encourages
artists of all ages to
come together for one spectacular
show.
“We have pieces from
kindergartners all the way
through seniors in high
school, so the show itself is
cool because you get to see
the students’ progression,”
he said. “And, I really like
the opportunity for the kids –
especially the younger kids –
to get their artwork out there
and have their families come
out and see it. ...It’s a fun experience
for everybody and
a great day to come out and
enjoy art.”
New Lenox residents Tabitha Witthouse poses by her artwork so her mom Sara Witthouse
can take a picture Saturday, March 17, during ArtWorks 2018 hosted at Lincoln-Way East.
Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
(Left to right) New Lenox residents Tammy, Macy and Tessa Gallagher examine some of
the artwork.