Tall Grass Arts Association was preparing for Beaux Arts Ball, its biggest annual fundraiser, when venues had to close to comply with restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The Roaring Twenties-themed event originally set for March 28 at Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor was rescheduled for July 31, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker limiting gatherings to 50 people or fewer during Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan prompted changing the in-person event into a virtual silent auction.
“One challenge was converting from having an in-person experience where you see art to online,” said Cody Ziebell, executive director of Tall Grass Arts Association, about Beaux Arts Ball taking place from July 18-31 on the organization’s website.
“It’s not the same as actually touching a piece and seeing if you want it especially seeing how jewelry pieces look on you. We had to think about how we could bring the pieces to people without having to touch them.
“We had a photographer take high-quality pictures so you can see the details.”
A number of the nearly 100 items up for bid were photographed by Ned Rissky, who uses the professional moniker Ned the Photographer, of Lansing.
In addition to art, the auction offers gift cards for shopping, gift certificates for dinners at restaurants including Club Lago in Chicago, golf outings, a home concert by folk singer and Park Forest native Buddy Mondlock, a home concert by internationally famed harpist Lisa Tannebaum and a safari in South Africa.
“We have a lot of wine to give people something you can do to relax,” said Ziebell, who noted that items that would have been part of baskets for a raffle at the in-person Beaux Arts Ball were separated and placed into the online auction.
“You have the opportunity to win something. We have items worth $10 all the way to $1,500 but we have multiple lower-bid items that people can spend not a lot of money for but still get a great value.”
Although Tall Grass Arts Association had to close to the public in March to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, the Symmetry exhibit of more than 80 works that were on display in the gallery were made viewable via a virtual gallery online.
“You were in the house all day seven days a week unless you were going out for a walk. You needed something beautiful to look at so we wanted to bring the exhibit to our regular people that come in on a regular basis and wouldn’t get that opportunity,” said Ziebell of New Lenox.
“People reached out and said they were just so thankful that they were able to see it online.”
Tall Grass Arts Association reopened to the public June 19 and the Hot Wheels exhibit of more than 60 drawings, glass pieces, mixed media, paintings, photographs and sculptures officially launched the next day.
On display to July 25, the show features the work of more than 20 artists including residents of Chicago Heights; Crete; Frankfort; Joliet; Lemont; Oak Forest; Park Forest; Peotone; Richton Park; Kankakee; Oak Park; Merrillville and Munster, Indiana; and Wisconsin.
“It’s mostly images of old cars, hot rods, motorcycles and stuff you would see at classic car shows. Some of them are so well-drawn that they almost look like pictures,” Ziebell said.
“We love the colors involved. We’re hoping that people who were down and obviously not feeling happy with the situation can come alive and be happy. When you see these pieces some of them really pop out at you.
“We’re following the guidelines. We have signs that say masks are required. We actually provide masks. We also provide hand sanitizer at the door as well.”
Next to open will be Tall Grass Arts Association’s art school, which temporarily closed in March.
“We’re starting back up in July with social distancing, students wearing masks and tables wiped down between classes,” said Ziebell, who added that donations of supplies for the school or to the association’s artists are welcome.”
Funds raised from Beaux Arts Ball will be used to upgrade the gallery and provide scholarships for people who do not have money to pay for classes.
“Showing high-quality art is our main focus,” Ziebell said.
Hot Wheels
When: to July 25; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; closed Sundays-Mondays
Where: Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
Tickets: free
Information: 708-748-3377; tallgrassarts.org
Beaux Arts Ball
When: July 18-31
Where: tallgrassarts.org/beaux-arts-festival
Tickets: free to bid but donations are welcome
Information: 708-748-3377; tallgrassarts.org
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
