The Niles Chamber of Commerce & Industry hosted a Public Art program in 2015:
In March, Artists were invited to submit a design for Niles Treasures. A committee determined the 30 most creative and original pieces for each Treasure Chest. Artists then had 6 weeks to bring their design to life. They are on display for all to enjoy!
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Artists are listed alphabetically by last name.
Treehouse
Artist: Renata Epple
Sponsored by: Groot, Location: Village Hall, 1000 Civic Center Drive
Renata Epple is seventeen years old. She likes to paint, draw, and craft for fun. The design “tree house” was the first thing she thought of when she saw the chests because of their shape. Renata’s father had built her siblings and a treehouse when she was four. The joy and fun that kids have can unite families in a community and treehouses remind Renata of that unity.
Sunrise in the City
Artist: Renata Epple
Location: Sylvan Learning, 7136 N. Carpenter, Village Crossing Shopping Center
At the time the art application process was announced and Renata learned of this opportunity she was in the hospital. She remembered looking out the window and seeing all the people going about their day outside. It inspired her to make the design for “windows in the city”: different people going about their lives but connected by a place.
Koi Pond
Artist: Debi Gajewski
Location: Niles Senior Center, 999 Civic Center Drive
Debi holds a position on the Niles Arts and Culture Commission, is a member of the Society of Decorative Painters and a board member of Windy Brushes of Northern Illinois painting chapter. She was inspired to paint one because of her dream to always have a koi pond in her garden.
Good Neighbors
Artist: Debi Gajewski
Location: State Farm Insurance, 7245 W. Dempster Street
Debi holds a position on the Niles Arts and Culture Commission, is a member of the Society of Decorative Painters and a board member of Windy Brushes of Northern Illinois painting chapter. This was her vision of a day in the neighborhood.
Picnic Basket
Artists: Windy Brushes Of Northern Illinois
Location: First Merit Bank, 8720 W. Dempster Street
This Tangled Eagle basket was a collaborated effort by members of the Chapter. Debi Gajewski, Christina Wood, Linda Park & Linda Kay. This chapter is always open to new members.
Cactus Sereno
Artist: Kathleen Gallegos
Location: Los Comales Mexican Restaurant, 9055 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Hawks Pride
Artist: Kathleen Gallegos
Location: Stalwart Systems, 7797 N. Caldwell Avenue
Kathleen Gallegos is the owner of The Art Station Studio in Niles. She is the mother of four and loves nothing more than spending time with her children and creating art. At her studio, she provides private art lessons and hosts birthday parties, scouting events, and BYOB painting parties for Adults. She also travels to local schools, businesses, hospitals, and senior living homes to provide group art classes.
Elemental Beauty
Artist: Mikayla Gallegos
Location: Niles Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 8060 W. Oakton Street, Inside the NorthSide Community Bank building
Mikayla Gallegos is a budding artist. She has just begun her artistic career and has already created several beautiful works of art. You can see more of her artwork on display at The Art Station Studio in Niles.
Sweet Home Chicago
Artist: Melissa Griffis
Sponsored by: NorthSide Community Bank
Location: Candlelight Jewelers, 7900 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Oak Mill Mall, 1st Floor
Melissa Griffis is a graduate student from James Madison University in Virginia. Painting has always been one of her hobbies, however her interest in painting coolers began only a few years ago. This is the first time Melissa has been able to truly pick her subject so she decided to illustrate the Chicago skyline that has always been a beautiful reminder of her roots.
Forward to the Future
Artist: Halley Jacobs
Sponsored By: The Optimist Club and Niles Teen Center
Location: Golf Mill Shopping Center, Near Lane Bryant Store
Halley Jacobs has been a supervisor at the Niles Teen Center for the past three years, helping with operations and doing various projects with the teens. She designed the treasure chest to be a collaborative effort with the Niles Teen Center members to represent their presence in the community. Teen center members contributed to the original design, helped to sand and paint the chest and choose inspirational quotes for the side.
World Connections
Artist: Anna Hatzopoulos
Location: Golf Maine Park District, 8800 W. Kathy Lane
Anna is 15 years old and a sophomore attending Niles West High School. Drawing, painting is her passion and she really enjoys creating something extraordinary! Her treasure chest “World Connections” is inspired by the fact that our community is so multicultural and it connects thru this diversity of people.
Open a Book and Unlock the Treasure Within
Artists: Helen Lazaris, Eleni Kelly and Donna Lurie
Location: Clarence E. Culver School, 6901 W. Oakton Street
“Open a Book and Unlock the Treasure Within” was inspired by the Disney quote, “There is more treasure in books than all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” The Culver creative team chose a pirate’s treasure theme for our piece. Books, rather than jewels, are the true gems for the knowledge they contain and the imagination they inspire. Helen Lazaris, Eleni Kelly and Donna Lurie are among Culver’s craftiest coworkers. Helen, our STEAM teacher and Culver teacher of the year, has a background in graphic design. Eleni Kelly is teaching 4th grade this year. She enjoys volunteering for community art projects and studies photography, mosaics and painting. Donna Lurie is entering her second year as Culver’s Art teacher. Our team had a great time collaborating on this project.
Wine & Cheese
Artist: Cheryl Ledet
Location: Christine Pusateri Hair Solutions, 7665 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Cheryl works predominantly in the areas of painting, drawing and sculpturing but includes wood burning in her larger scale installations. Her work directly responds to the surrounding environment and uses everyday experiences as a starting point. “Wine & Cheese” took on its own life after extensive sanding bringing out the true beauty of the wood and adding a touch of color to make it pop.
Happy Birthday
Artist: Cheryl Ledet-Annani
Location: Kiddie Kingdom, 7411 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Cheryl works predominantly in the areas of painting, drawing and sculpturing but includes wood burning in her larger scale installations. Her work directly responds to the surrounding environment and uses everyday experiences as a starting point. “Happy Birthday” was painted with acrylic paints and primer to capture the bursting energy of our youth.
Chicago Bears Trivia
Artist: Cheryl Ledet-Annani
Location: Leaning Tower YMCA, 6300 W. Touhy Avenue
Cheryl works predominantly in the areas of painting, drawing and sculpturing but includes wood burning in her larger scale installations. Her work directly responds to the surrounding environment and uses everyday experiences as a starting point. “Chicago Bears Trivia” is a fun piece created with acrylic paints and primer for diehard fans to enjoy at game time or anytime.
Ocean Deep
Artist: Jonathan Mazur
Location: St. John Brebeuf, 8307 N. Harlem Avenue
Pulled from the depths of Lake Michigan. The algae was applied with plaster, and as a bonus, portions of the plant glows after being exposed to sunlight.
Enchanted Forest
Artist: Jonathan Mazur
Location: Los Comales Mexican Restaurant, 9055 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Filled with folklore and fairy tales. Each side holds a different story, from Alice and her Wonderland, to The epic in “Over the Garden Wall.” The winter lands of Narnia is a cold change the home of the Ent in Middle Earth. The bark is hand molded and secured to the legs.
Floral Bounty
Artist: Christine Milostan
Location: Niles Foot & Ankle Center, 8145 N. Milwaukee Avenue
When I offer painting events, teach art classes or have gallery exhibits, I find most people are drawn to the landscapes and florals. For me “Floral Bounty” represents the beauty I find in nature. I take time to appreciate it using my artist gifts given to me by the Creator of all things. Learn more about this artist at: www.milostancreativity.com
Cats
Artist: Sabrina Nash and Kelly Popper
Sabrina Nash and Kelly Popper are Freshmen at Maine South High School in Park Ridge. They met playing travel soccer and have been friends through middle school. This is their first time collaborating on an art project. In addition to painting, they enjoy drawing, photography and sculpting.
Peacocks’ Delight
Artist: Liz Pawlik
Location: Golf Mill Shopping Center, Milwaukee Avenue / Golf Road, Center Court
Liz retired a few years ago and currently is pursuing a lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist. None of the jobs she has had, have ever given her greater pleasure than being an artist. Liz specialize in doing pastel painting, but has worked with other mixed media. “I hope that you enjoy seeing “Peacock’s Delight” as much as I enjoyed doing it. This is all very exciting!”
Friendly Confines
Artist: David Rzany
Location: Edward Jones Company, 8141 N. Milwaukee Avenue
David Rzany is a Chicago-based artist that uses a variety of mediums to complete his art. Although his studio, Razz Art, is based in Chicago, David started off his artistic adventures in Niles with his high school art classes at Notre Dame College Prep. This piece, entitled “Friendly Confines” was created using acrylic paints and custom vinyl lettering. What says summer more than a cold one at the “friendly confines.”
Niles Finest
Artist: David Rzany
Location: Niles Police Department, 7000 W. Touhy Avenue
David Rzany is a Chicago-based artist that uses a variety of mediums to complete his art. Although his studio, Razz Art, is based in Chicago, David started off his artistic adventures in Niles with his high school art classes at Notre Dame College Prep. This piece, inspired by the British Police Boxes, was created using acrylic paint and custom vinyl.
Tropical Delight
Artist: Pamela Seatter
Location: Howard Street Inn, 6700 W. Howard Street
In first grade, Pamela Seatter won the “Do Not Pollute” poster contest, and that was the moment she knew she wanted to be an artist. Pamela earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois in 1986 and has worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, and artist ever since. Currently she works as a full-time Art Director/Illustrator at a children’s book publisher in Lincolnwood, IL. In her spare time, she enjoys figurative drawing and painting. Available for commissions.
Electric Tunnels
Artist: Kaelie Seatter
Location: Niles Park District, 6676 W. Howard Street
Kaelie enjoys expressing herself artistically through a variety of media including photography, colored pencil, acrylic paint and henna. Since graduating early from Niles West High School, Kaelie has been taking pottery classes at Lil Street Art Center in Chicago. She plans to attend Knox College in the fall with a double major in Studio Art and Elementary Education.
Passport
Artist: Samantha Stagg
Location: Brookdale Niles, 8975 W. Golf Road
Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs. Graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in Art Education. Major field of study was sculptor, with an emphasis on welded Metal. This piece “Passport” entitled “All the places Life can Go” is a reminder to ourselves that there is so much to see and do, so don’t ever give up on experiencing new things at any age. The treasure chest is a collage of cultural symbols and stamps. In 2015 Brookdale Niles Retirement Community is celebrating a different country each month with its residents and staff. Notice the passport stamps from around the world; Peru, Mexico, Tahiti, Jamaica, Spain, The Philippines, Egypt, Hungary, England, China, Madagascar, & The Netherlands. Brookdale encourages it’s residents to explore and celebrate “All the Places Life Can Go”.
Last year in 2014 we brought you “Stop and Smell the Roses Art Parade” featuring thirty-five 3 foot Roses displayed around town from July thru October. Be part of the fun again and experience Niles Treasures this summer!
2014 Stop and Smell the Roses
