Chicago Alliance
of Visual Artists
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CAVA is a volunteer not-for-profit organization founded in 1988 to serve artists aged 50+. We're dedicated to giving our over 375 members throughout the greater Chicago area the opportunity to exhibit artwork in at least four exhibits annually in such notable venues as the Chicago Cultural Center,
MANA Contemporary, Evanston Art Center, Bridgeport Art Center, Art Center Highland Park, and Leslie Wolfe Gallery in Old Town.
Creating art can be a solitary occupation—CAVA organizes and presents events for older artists to come together through its exhibitions, salons, member luncheons, workshops, annual Symposium, and special events. For more information, visit our CONTACT page, and sign up for our e-newsletter.
CAVA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:
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Exhibit in the Annual Members Show;
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Enter our juried exhibitions, including the annual Later Impressions exhibition;
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Engage in various group and media-focused exhibitions
we organize throughout the Chicago area; -
Participate in membership social and educational programs, including our Critique Events; Artists' Studio Visits; and the annual CAVA Symposium.
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LINKS to more info
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NEW CAVA artist interviews!
FEATURED CAVA ARTIST
All through high school, Crystal Marie's dream was to attend the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. But instead of working towards a fine art degree, she became a teen mom and went to work immediately after graduating high school. Later in her mid-30s, while working as project manager in the printing industry, a coworker handed her an art magazine, reawakening her long-forgotten dream.
Four Winds, collage and mixed media, 20XX
"Since that fateful day, I’ve been working as a self-taught artist," says Crystal. "For the past 20 years I've been primarily a collage and mixed media artist," she says. Creating her original fine art, writing, teaching workshops, and managing an online artist group have all been integral to her active artistic practice. She takes time out of her own studio work to mentor others on how to overcome artistic blocks, and is currently in the process of writing a book on that subject. This summer marks the 11th publishing anniversary of her book The Art of Expressive Collage: Techniques for Creating with Paper and Glue, which is still available as an E-book, and on the secondary market in print.
Pagoda Series, collage and mixed media, 20XX
“Though collage is the foundation of my art practice, my process is largely material driven,” says Crystal. “Led by an innate curiosity for the materials I bring to the studio, my body of work includes sculptural works crafted from paper and salvaged materials, assemblage, collage, encaustic wax painting, and the use of alternative materials such as cardboard, plaster,
fabric, and even cement.”
Alchemy 5, collage, paper, wood, thread, fabric, found objects, 20XX
Her current focus and line of inquiry includes working with textiles to expand the layered compositions she creates, beyond the limitations of the canvas or panel. “Each work begins with a question of what I can achieve with the materials themselves, but inevitably leads me to a deeper reflection of self, and the world around me.”
Wild Hair, assemblage with thread, fabric, ink, 20XX
In 2018 Crystal received the Racine Art Museum (RAM) Artist Fellowship and Emerging Artist Award, providing her the opportunity for a solo exhibit at the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts in Racine, WI. That same year she also exhibited her large collage works at SOFA Chicago. Crystal is currently represented by Cappaert Contemporary Gallery in Door County, and IMA Gallery in Seattle. CLICK HERE to visit her website, find out more about Crystal, and see more of her art.