North Shore September Exhibition: Sketchbook Swap

In an effort to build community through art, The Arts of Life artists have teamed up for their first ever Sketchbook Swap. Each of the North Shore artists paired up with an artist from the Chicago studio and sent a sketchbook back and forth, sharing their work and stories of art making.

Learn more about the process of mutual inspiration by visiting the traveling Sketchbook Swap Exhibition.  First stop: The Arts of Life North Shore studio with an opening reception on Friday, September 27th, 2013 from 6pm to 8pm at 1963 Johns Drive in Glenview, IL. The body of work will then be on display at The Arts of Life Chicago throughout Chicago Artist Month, with an opening recpeiton on Friday October 4th from 6 to 8pm at 2010 W. Carroll Ave.

The Sketchbook Swap project set forth to build and foster relationships between our two studio communities through art making.  After picking sketchbook “pen pals” at random,  the artists worked together with community bookbinding artists Katie Schofield and Greta Bach to create beautiful handmade sketchbooks from recycled materials.  For several weeks, the participants sent these handmade sketchbooks back and forth, corresponding through their art making while creating original sketches in a variety of mediums.  After several weeks of swapping, each artist created a final piece of artwork inspired by their partner, the sketches created, and the overall experience.

The culmination of the Sketchbook Swap will be the group exhibition of each participant’s final project as well as the sketchbooks that brought our community together.  The Chicago and North Shore Studio will each host an opening reception in their respective galleries. The North Shore’s opening reception will also be accompanied by musical performances by Van Go Go and their Big Breakfast Biscuit Bonanza variety show. We invite you to come and enjoy this celebration of community and exploration of relationship building through art making.  Both Sketchbook Swap events are free and open to the public.

For more information contact John Sharp at Jsharp@artsoflife.org 847-486-0808