For the first time, artists are taking to the streets in Brookfield.
The first ever Grand Prairie Crossing Business Association art festival will be held July 10 and 11, and shop owners are hoping people will flock to Brookfield to see the artwork and spend some time — and money — in local stores.
Javier Contreras, one of the owners of the Xni Pec de Yucatan restaurant, 3755 Grand Blvd., said his business joined the festival to help out other business owners.
“The street dance brought in a lot of people, and I started to realized that the businesses here really support each other,” Contreras said. “Helping them out helps us.”
Contreras said his restaurant will be creating a special “artistic” meal to bring diners in during the weekend.
“We’re going to do a three-course Yucatan meal with dessert, and it will be completely different from what we serve at the restaurant,” Contreras said. “Since it is an art fair, we are going to show our art.”
Victor Garcia, the co-owner of Brookfield Upholstery, 3738 Grand Blvd., said his store will also have a special artistic deal. They are going to offer sofa and chair frames — which normally run between $500 and $1,000 — for free if they sign up to have their piece upholstered at the shop.
“I think it is a good idea for the business district to bring people in and show people they don’t have to go downtown or to another town for their needs,” Garcia said. “It’s all right here.”
Two local artists are hoping the fair helps them turn art into a career.
Dana Lysons, a Brookfield resident and freelance graphic designer, has 18 pieces she plans to show.
Many of her drawings feature horses.
“Horses have always been my passion,” Lysons said. “My parents put me on a horse when I was 2 years old, and I was hooked.”
Lysons, who was raised in Colorado, donates 10 percent of her profits to Amanda’s Foundered Friends Horse and Equine Rescue. The group is a Colorado-based organization that takes in horses with foot problems and rehabilitates them.
In addition to drawings, Lysons will be selling artistic trading cards.
“I want to break out into the art world, and make a living with my art,” Lysons said.
Stacy Holst, a Berwyn artist who is also a graphic designer by trade, said she wanted to use art fairs to get into the local market.
“I sell prints, and paintings and cards are easy — they sold well at the last fair I did,” Holst said. “I’ve been painting for the last four years, and want to build my portfolio up.”
Holst creates paintings of women and nature, such as flowers and insects.
Abby Brennan, one of the organizers of the festival, and owner of Brennan Massage and Spa, 3700 Grand Blvd., said she hopes the fair will bring foot traffic to the area and give people an appreciation for art.
“I was an art teacher for the Chicago Public Schools, and have always had an interest in art,” Brennan said. “When I came to Brookfield, I saw that we didn’t really have much going on with art festivals or galleries. I wanted to bring art in, because I think art brings interest to an area.”
Brennan also hopes the fair will have an economic impact.
“We wanted to get more recognition for the business district, and bringing in the arts was one way to do that,” Brennan said. “We are able to give the artists a space of their own on Grand Boulevard.”
