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INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

20th anniversary for ‘Real People’

By Staff Report NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

“Real People,” a national juried fine art exhibition, will observe its 20th anniversary with a show through Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Old Courthouse Arts Center in Woodstock.

An artists’ reception gala is scheduled this coming Saturday.

According to a news release, the show celebrates the arts through faces and figures. It is open to all artists (18 and older) and media (photography, lithography, block-printing, bronze casting, etc.). Submitted work

Brookdale Conservation Area in Woodstock has a new 1.5-mile multiuse trail extension.

The McHenry County Conservation District announced the trail extension was made possible with a grant from the Recreational Trails Program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

According to a news release, the money enabled staff to improve on the first phase of the existing multiuse trail must be original art that depicts the human form or face in some manner that is recognizable. All work will be for sale.

“Real People,” debuted in 2000 at the Old Courthouse Arts Center, “has become a much-anticipated area event that enjoys excellent media coverage and exposure,” the release said.

Primary judge for this year’s show is Joyce Polance, who is primarily known for her figurative oil paintings – both expressionistic portraits and large, painterly groups of nude women that explore emotion and relationships. Polance, who has exhibited internationally, has received multiple grants and awards, including six Chicago CAAP grants, a George Sugarman Foundation grant, two Judith Dawn Memorial grants, and a Cliff Dwellers Artist in Residence award.

Cash prizes totaling $1,500 will be awarded for first, second, third place, a Gallery Award, and Three Artistic Merit Awards, among others.

Questions about the show may be emailed to realpeople2019@naac4art. org. Visit oldcourthouseartscenter. com for more information on the arts center and building.

and to build a new horse trailer parking lot. The Paulson Road entrance trail network now offers a four-loop hiking or horseback riding trail totaling 6.15 miles.

That horse trail parking lot opened to the public last summer. Since then, district staff have continued to evaluate the remaining land within the Brookdale Conservation Area for more recreational trail use. The entire Brookdale multiuse trail network was a result of a partnership between a countywide Equestrian Coalition, the conservation district and the McHenry County Conservation Foundation.

The district also announced the opening of a new nine-hole disc golf course expansion at Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area in Cary.

Near the east entrance, this course consists of a variety of 3- and 4-par holes. The nine eastern holes of the course are primarily across a mowed area, while thenewly added nine holes are in the wooded area to the west.

For more information, see the course on the district’s website at MCCD.me/ DiscGolf.

Area artists are invited to submit works that are inspired by the local landscape for the 12th annual Art of the Land art show and fundraiser of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

The event, which will be online this year, will take place over 10 days, from Thursday, Nov. 5, through Saturday, Nov. 14.

Since 2009, the event has raised more than $145,000 to support TLC’s land preservation work in McHenry County. Thirty percent of sales is retained by TLC.

Works must follow the theme of “art that reflects and is inspired by the local landscape and all that it provides.” Accepted mediums include original artwork, painting, drawing and other hanging art, photography, limited edition prints, ceramics, glass, sculptural pieces, basketry, fiber, paper, metal and wood. The Best of Show award is $250, while second and third places are $100 each.

A jury fee of $25 covers up to five pieces of work. Artwork will be judged based on the best representation of the theme of the event. Entries will be selected from digital images sent to TLC.

The deadline to submit work is Sunday, Oct. 4. Registration is available online at ArtoftheLand.org, with full rules and guidelines.

Gizzae will perform its unique blend of Roots Reggae in a free concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in the Park in the Square.

The Woodstock Opera House arranged the concert with the band that has recorded and played professionally with such acts as Ziggy Marley, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen.

Gizzae has played for crowds across the nation for 35 years, the music having won Grammy and Chicago Music awards, according to a news release.