Festival of the Arts in Cook Park Preserves a Legacy of Fine Art in Libertyville

The David Adler Music and Arts Center is presenting its 32nd annual Festival of the Arts August 4 and 5, 2012 in Libertyville’s historic Cook Park.  Over the last several years, the Festival has hosted work of artists exhibiting all of over the country.  The festival also presents various musical groups and a variety of children’s activities.  The David Adler Music and Arts Center has been hosting the festival for 32 years in hope to preserve the legacy of the original Libertyville Art Club, founded in memory of David Adler by Adler’s good friend Herb Ruud.

On September 23, 1949 24 artists met at the home of Frederick Penny on Second Ave in Libertyville to form an Art Club.  Ruud gathered the group of enthusiastic artists and continued to hold meetings on the second floor of the Village Hall.  Ruud served as the first President with Fredrick Penny as Vice President and Marjorie French Ruud as the Secretary Treasurer.

The aim of the newfound Art Club was simple:  encourage and aid anyone interested in painting and the allied arts.  The club started providing the community with painting sessions with live models, classes in all media for adults and children, exhibitions, and demonstrations by well-known artists.  As the club continued to prosper and grow, the Adler house became the official home of the Libertyville Art Club.  The hope for this move was for the club to continue to stimulate and encourage art in the area and to maintain the Adler house primarily as an arts center and also as a community center.

In August of 1953 The Libertyville Art Club held the first ever Libertyville Art Show, now known as Festival of the Arts.  The first exhibit drew over 300 pieces from different working artists around Libertyville.  There were oils, water colors, drawings, etchings and photography. 

Today The David Adler Music and Arts Center holds the responsibility of keeping the Festival of the Arts running. The show is organized by the Center’s four administrative staff members, whom strive to preserve the legacy of the Libertyville Art Club’s mission; to stimulate and encourage art in the community.

 As a non-for-profit organization, the David Adler Music and Arts Center relies solely on the support of individuals in the community to maintain its programming and special events, such as Festival of the Arts.  There are good times and bad, and through all of the mess that the times bring, the David Adler Music and Arts Center has provided a home for the arts to the Libertyville community for 63 years and will continue to do so for new generations of inspiring artists.

For more information on the 32nd Annual Festival of the Arts or to submit an Artist Application please visit www.adlercenter.org or call 847.367.0707.  The David Adler Music and Arts Center is located at 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville.