Art and Soul on the Fox brings music and art to downtown Elgin

Visitors walk past digital paintings by Margie Olszewski of Elgin and other artists during Art and Soul on the Fox in downtown Elgin. More than 75 artists are expected to exhibit their work at the festival. Daily Herald Archives, 2015

Artists and community members will come together at the eighth annual Art and Soul on the Fox festival in downtown Elgin.Robert Buzek of McHenry works on an acrylic painting in his booth at the Art and Soul on the Fox festival in Elgin. Daily Herald file photo

Artists and community members will come together at the eighth annual Art and Soul on the Fox festival in downtown Elgin.

The show takes place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6-7, on South Spring Street and South Grove Avenue.

"This is a great event that brings people to downtown Elgin and gives them a chance to experience original artwork that they might not otherwise see and interact with the artists," Art for All President Karen Castillo said.

The show is hosted by the city of Elgin and Art for All, a nonprofit organization composed of local artists which works to connect Fox Valley artists with the community.

"We want to bring people downtown and experience what is there with the intent that they will hopefully come back," Castillo said.

About 2,000 to 3,000 people attend the fair each year to see the variety of art being showcased as well as listen to the musical entertainment and participate in children's' activities such as face painting.

This year, more than 75 artists and artisans will exhibit and sell work in photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, painting, drawing, upcycling and other styles.

Juries selected artists based off a piece of the artist's work as well as a statement from the artist. They are not given the names of the artists or any personal information.

"The jury is making their determination entirely on the image that was sent and the statement which clearly defines how the art was created," Castillo said.

Unique to Art and Soul on the Fox are its upcycled art exhibits.

"It's always a draw for people to see what can be done with castoff items. It's something unique to our show in comparison to others," Castillo said.

April Sepich of Helenville in Wisconsin is an upcycled artist and is showcasing her work in Art and Soul on the Fox for the first time. Castillo said Sepich upcycled 10 ceilings from a torn down buildings and turned them into wall art.

Castillo said Art and Soul on the Fox is a great event for kids who may be interested in art.

"In the schools often art is something that has been cut back. This is a great opportunity for children to ask questions of artists, see a variety of art and maybe themselves see that this is something they might want to explore as a means of expressions.

Art and Soul on the Fox is free and open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.

For more information visit www.elginartandsoul.com.