Celebrating 50 years is the DuPage Art League, a nonprofit organization in Wheaton and chartered as a school to promote and encourage the visual arts through classes, workshops, gallery exhibits and other promotions.

In speaking with Kay Wahlgren, president of the league and Sally Hines, publicity person, I learned the DuPage Art League was founded in 1957. Initially its meetings and classes were held in the lobby of the Wheaton Animal Hospital and were later located in an old church in Warrenville, a park district building, a rented store front and finally in its own building at 218 W. Front St. in Wheaton.

The facility boasts a large main gallery that displays a new exhibit every month as well as a smaller gallery for one-person shows and two classrooms.

Membership is open to artists and non-artists 17 years of age and older. The league presently includes about 400 members in and around the DuPage area.

I spoke with an interesting member of the league, Wayne Atkinson, who teaches watercolor classes at the league. After being discharged from service in World War II, Atkinson attended school in Minnesota to become a television announcer. After graduation he spent time at various stations across the country and in 1956 had a chance to become an announcer for Channel 7. He stayed at Channel 7 for 34 years and retired in 1989. He announced lead-ins for commercials, weather reports and also Paul Harvey newscasts.

Atkinson told me of the importance of quality brushes, colors and paper and said that good paper is the most important to when working with watercolors. Years ago when he wrote his mother he would watercolor a scene on the envelope. The letter carrier liked it and wanted to keep one of the envelopes but mother said no. Atkinson just sent me one. The envelope has a beautiful scene with a bluebird, one of my favorite birds. He has been a member of the league since 1970 and lives in Winfield with Barbara, his wife of many years.
For information about the league, call (630) 653-7090.

Calling all artists
A free Mid-Winter Festival of Artists will be held at the league from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3. The event is sponsored by Dillman’s Bay Resort’s Creative Arts Foundation, located in Lac du Flambeau, Wis. Dillman’s has been very instrumental in furthering workshops and programs in the Chicago area. The organization has offered all-in-one art classes and programs with nationally known artists at its resort for almost 30 years.
For more information, call owner operators Dennis and Sue Robertson at (715) 588-3143 or visit www.dillmans.com.

Teddy tales
The Roselle Public Library, 40 S. Park St., will present “Teddy Bear Tales” in the meeting room for children ages 2 to 5 with a parent from 10:30 a.m. to 11:l5 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. Children may bring their own teddy bear or any other favorite stuffed animal. They will make a teddy bear craft and will take turns for show and tell. Sing-a-long songs will include the “Teddy Pokey.” Annis Annalla, or Mrs. “A,” as the kids know her, will be there. Mrs. “A” told me the refreshments will include Teddy Grahams and Gummi Bear Fruit Chews. You can register in person or call Youth Services at (630) 529-164, Ext. 351.

Library program
Back in the 1980s My Little Pony was very popular. And then the little pony retired to the stable for a while. However in the past two years, the fanciful filly has made a comeback. The Itasca Community Library, 500 W. Irving Park Road, is inviting children ages 3 to 6 to come to a My Little Pony Party from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Bring your My Little Pony if you have one. The program will include crafts, stories and a DVD featuring My Little Pony. My Little Pony DVDs are available at the library and can be checked out. Registration is required and is available by calling (630) 773-1699.
Until next time.

The Roselle-Itasca Beat is a weekly column appearing on Thursdays. Ideas and items for the column can be faxed to Ed Obrochta at (630) 894-4251 or e-mailed to eobrochta@sbcglobal.net.