It all began one hot Chicago summer in the early 80s when four neighborhood artists (Bob Smeltzer, Joe Kotzman, Tony Cachapero and Rodney Patterson) decided to have an art fair — a picnic in the park. Rodney suggested that it might be a good opportunity for local artists to show and share their work to each other and to their neighbors.

Each participating artist contributed $20 for printing and other costs, and got the word out as best they could with Joe (design) and Bob (lettering) collaborating on a poster advertising the event. Rodney’s wife, Carol Severino, played drums in a local band named The Subterraneans which played at the one-day event. A neighbor made and sold guacamole. Bob’s wife, Avis, was given the task of registering and assigning the artists to their places.

The group got permission and closed Oakley from Lyndale to Belden, and 20 artists set up exhibitions of their work in the street. The band set up in the amphitheater. People came by and were friendly and encouraging. At the wrap-up, Tony emphatically declared that “the art fair was a two-day event!”

In 1988, Bucktown Fine Arts became a non-profit organization with a mission to provide arts and education programming to the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood, particularly at Holstein Park. Our special thanks goes out to Carol Miller Tarnoff, Diane Rodenberg Towber and Henry Seale for making this step possible.

The health and longevity of the Bucktown Arts Fest are possible thanks to the stewardship of Phil Mrozinski (past chair), Brian Mattson (past co-chair), Maria Mariottini, Kyle Carstensen (past president), Melissa Hellstern (current president) and the labor of countless other community representatives, committee members and volunteers.

Neighboorhood Map

Get Directions from Mapquest

Download a Map of the Fest Grounds

 Bucktown Fine Arts, the producer of the Bucktown Arts fest, uses all of its proceeds to fund, develop and support arts education programming at Holstein Park and in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhoods.

Learn about the programming we sponsor

 

 

Mosaic at Holstein Park Every Tuesday and Thursday during summer camp, the Bucktown Arts Fest is providing arts education classes to the 200 Holstein Park Summer Camp kids, ages 6-12.

As part of the camp, the kids are designing and building a fantastic mosaic mural, which will be placed in the foyer of the Holstein Park fieldhouse and enjoyed for year’s to come. Stop by and take a look!

 

 

Other organizations and events funded by the Board in 2011 include:

• Effie Mihopoulos Memorial Scholarship and Best in Show Award
• Craft Emergency Relief Fund for Artists
• Association House of Chicago
• Friends of Holstein Park’s Valentines Day Dance
• Hip-Hop Classes by Zephyr Dance (Artist-in-Residence at Holstein Park)
• Friends of Holstein Park’s renovation efforts at the Holstein Park fieldhouse
• Friends of Holstein Park’s Movie in the Park
• Ensemble Espanol: Center for Spanish Dance and Music Chicago
• Open Studio Drawing & Painting Class at Holstein Park (Beginning September 19)

Sculpture Fund Update

In 2005, to commemorate the Bucktown Arts fest’s 20th anniversary, a multi-year effort was launched to install a permanent sculpture in the soon-to-be renovated playground in Holstein Park. In 2011, after careful consideration, the Board decided to release these funds in order to use them to better meet the needs of the community, including a $25,000 donation to aid in the renovation project at Holstein Park.

 

Board Members

Melissa Hellstern, President

Brett Mackie, Neighborhood Business Owner

Brian Peck, Neighborhood Representative

Tina Szklarzewski, Treasurer

Ryan Zoghlin, Artists’ Representative

Contact the Board at board@bucktownartsfest.com

 

Committee Members

Artists – Melissa Hellstern

inquiries@bucktownartsfest.com

Children’s Activities – Lori Salinas

kids@bucktownartsfest.com

Food Vendors – Cecilie Broch

foodvendors@bucktownartsfest.com

Kickoff Party – Connie Hinkle

party@bucktownartsfest.com

Marketing & Distribution – Sarah Brick

marketing@bucktownartsfest.com

Music – Rob Brookman (Main Stage) & Blake Beckstrom (New Jazz Roots Stage)

music@bucktownartsfest.com

Neighborhood Relations

neighbors@bucktownartsfest.com

Not-For-Profit Coordinator – Katina Panagopoulos

nfp@bucktownartsfest.com

Poetry – Emily Rose

poetry@bucktownartsfest.com

 

Public Relations – Jeff Wolfe

pr@bucktownartsfest.com

Theatre & Dance – Cathleen Schandelmeier

theateranddance@bucktownartsfest.com

Treasurer – Tina Szklarzewski

treasurer@bucktownartsfest.com

Volunteers – Laura Doede & Brett Mackie

volunteers@bucktownartsfest.com

Everyone wants good neighbors, and the fest goes to great lengths to be one of them. From parking around the block to the neighbor-provided breakfast to the use of water, we appreciate the role you play in making the Bucktown Arts Fest the best weekend in Chicago!

Below is important information for neighbors about street closures and towing areas. If we can answer any questions or be of help, please don’t hesitate to contact us at inquiries@bucktownartsfest.com.

Street Closures

The following streets will be closed to non-fest related traffic from 4 a.m. on Saturday, August 27th through 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 28th:

• Lyndale – From the alley east of Oakley to Leavitt
• Belden – From Leavitt to Western
• Oakley – From Medill to Palmer

Blocks Affected Include:

• Lyndale – 2200W to 2400W
• Oakley – 2150N to 2400N
• Belden – 2200W to 2400W

Towing

City of Chicago tow trucks will begin towing from 4 AM SATURDAY (AUGUST 27) through 10 PM SUNDAY (AUGUST 28)

Cars parked within the following will be towed

OAKLEY

• BOTH BRANCHES (EAST AND WEST OF PARK) FROM PALMER NORTH TO LYNDALE
• FROM LYNDALE NORTH TO 2304 N. OAKLEY & 2305 N. OAKLEY. (THAT’S NORTH OF BELDEN)

LYNDALE

• FROM 2200 W. LYNDALE TO THE ALLEY
• FROM 2234 & 2233 W. LYNDALE TO 2330 W. LYNDALE & 2335 W. LYNDALE

BELDEN

• FROM ALLEY EAST OF OAKLEY TO 2316 W. BELDEN & 2319 W. BELDEN

Fest Schedule

Saturday, August 27th

• 4 a.m. – Street closure and towing
• 6 a.m. – Artist set up begins
• 11 a.m. – Fest opens
• 12 p.m. – Music and performance begins
• 7 p.m. – Music ends
• 8 p.m. – Film begins
• 10 p.m. – Fest closes for night

Sunday, August 28th

• 11 a.m. – Fest opens
• 12 p.m. – Music begins
• 7 p.m. – Music ends and fest tear down begins
• 10 p.m. – Streets re-open

As in every community, it’s the people that make the difference. When it comes to the Bucktown Arts fest, we have many people to thank. The list could go on for pages, so here are just a few highlights:

• Former Alderman Ted Matlack
• Alderman Scott Waguespack
• State Senator John Fritchey
• The Mayor’s Office of Special Events
• The Chicago Park District
• Chicago Police – 14th District