In the vintage tradition of the Parisian flea market, The Art Center Highland Park became the destination for art lovers and treasure hunters from all over Chicagoland this weekend – those in search of a pre-owned masterpiece.
The 36th Annual Recycled Art Sale, is one of The Art Center’s most important fundraisers, offering a potpourri of thousands of pieces of art donated from private collectors, galleries, estates, corporate art collections, and institutions throughout the year.
The 10-day sale opened Friday, with an array of paintings, prints, ceramics, decorative objects, vintage posters, sculpture, art glass, jewelry, and more.
Jacqueline Chilow, director of events, at The Art Center Highland Park says artwork never dies, you can’t just throw it away.
“The whole point of the recycled concept is to continue the journey of that work of art, and it’s exciting to see the sale become a part of that,” Chilow said.
TAC staff organizes, researches, and prices all of donated items to sell during the 10-day sale event with proceeds going to benefit the Center’s community art programming, education, and outreach, Chilow said.
Friday’s pre-ticketed opening night V.I.P. reception offered a 5 p.m. entry at $175.00 per person and general admission at 6 p.m. for $75.00.
The Recycled Art Sale is scheduled to continue through Saturday, October 26, open to the public at no fee.
Julie Scholl of Buffalo Grove attended on Friday.
“My husband and I love the concept of a recycled art fair so much that we come back every year — always finding a new work of art we absolutely can’t live without,” Scholl said.
Chilow says people often change their tastes and like to bring new artwork into their homes, so they donate to us and then come to the recycled sale looking to replace it.
Natalie and Vittorio Bichucher are new Highland Park residents who also attended Friday.
“It’s so unusual to find an event with such a range and variety of art — here we can find contemporary works by local artists or classical pieces by artists who are internationally known,” Natalie Bichucher said.
Event co-chairs Barbara Abelson and David Wigodner say it takes about 30 volunteers to staff the 10-day sale.
“This sale goes far beyond a typical art fair demographic, showcasing repurposed art with price points so varied you could spend from 10 to thousands of dollars,” Wigodner said.
According to Chilow, taking the recycling idea one step further, once the sale ends anything that hasn’t sold is donated to community partners, Designers for Dignity, The Chicago Furniture Bank and the City of Highland Park Affordable Housing.
“Art lives for all of us, we want to keep it and recycle it, and through this event, we help art find a new home,” Chilow said.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
