painter David Oleski and one of his works
The aroma of fresh tilapia being grilled by Burhops greeted me at the 4th annual Art on the Plaza in Wilmette’s Plaza De Lago. On June 14, the sun shone and the air was cool. Across the street from Lake Michigan, forty artists displayed their painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture and printmaking.
The North Shore Art League along with Plaza del Lago sponsored the 4th annual juried fine arts fair. There was a very relaxed and friendly vibe as artists and fair goers enjoyed the best of spring weather.
David Oleski, a painter from West Chester, Pennsylvania explained his style of classically inspired still life. His web site features video of him painting and there is a live studiocam.
Elan Livne translated for me the Hebrew text of his wife Smadar Livne’s painting of Jerusalem. It was a passage of Talmud regarding governance. The painting included a photograph of the Keneset amidst a painting of the old city.
Elan Livne with the paintings of Smadar Livne
Elan, an Israeli, found the proximity of the Illinois cities of Zion and Antioch (similar to Antiochus, an enemy of ancient Zion) somewhat perplexing.
Plaza del Lago, as many Ageless North Shore readers recall, began operation in the late 60s. When I was a kid, we referred to the area as “No Man’s Land.”
As referenced in the Illinois Guide by the Federal Writer’s Project.…”No Man’s Land offers a brief and sharp contrast to the remainder of the North Shore. Brightly colored stucco buildings with Spanish names provide commercial recreation–dancing, drinking, dining and movies.”
As a kid in the 50s and 60s, it’s the movies and Teatro del Lago that I remember.
from "No Man's Land to Plaza del Lago" by Robert Shea
There is a very cool web site that highlights these treasures of the past called, Bright Lights Dim Beauty of Chicago. In a series inspired by Robert Shea’s interesting book From No Man’s Land to Plaza del Lago, I found this ad from the 1947 Wilmette Life. Back in the day, the Teatro del Lago was hopping!
Plaza de Lago is still a pretty sweet spot, and still across the street from our inland sea.
