cydart

The Languages of the World

2011-06-28T18:00:00.003-05:00

Cyd Smillie, eager to help out a local school, made a generous donation of 10 hand-painted circus banners to Northside College Prepatory High School. Each banner focused on a single subject taught there, and were then sold at an auction to raise money to support the school. This banner was for the languages program.

2010-08-08T10:02:00.002-05:00

It's happened! Cyd Smillie has opened a fine art gallery in French Lick, Indiana. Housed in the old "Five and Dime" on Maple Street in the historic district, Touching Ground Gallery boasts a collection of fine art paintings and ceramics by mid-west and regional artists. Nearby the beautifully restored French Lick Hotel and the West Baden Hotel offer luxury accommodations and a casino while honoring the 1800's architecture. When in town try a cup of coffee from the new (and wonderful!) French Lick Coffee Shop and step into to the gallery to see new works by Cyd Smillie, Susan Barton, Dede Handon, Nella Spencer and more.

2010-03-01T14:40:00.002-06:00

Who would have thought that a view of the Chicago river would figure into an evening of "Chekhov Shortz" at the theater? Cyd Smillie designs 10 sets-in-one for the St. Sebastian Players presentation of an evening of Chekhov's comedies. Comedies? you say. Chekhov comedies?! Why yes, often silly, sometimes farcical and playing through the second week of March.

Coming Up: "The Return of Birds I have Known" featuring nearly 100 artist created or painted or built or smashed bird houses.

Holiday Show at August House

2009-11-30T20:20:00.002-06:00

Yes it's holiday time and August House Studios is hosting a show and party featuring the work of 14 Chicago area artists including Cyd Smillie, Marya Veeck and Jill Arena to name a few. All original artwork is for sale and can be wrapped for gift giving. Stop in and see some lucious colors and textures like those in "Dragonbreath" featured here.

2009-10-01T15:21:00.003-05:00

October is Artist's Month in Chicago! We're celebrating close to home with a show of local artists. Cyd Smillie will be showing three oil paintings tracing the surrender of the body to the landscape. All artwork will be for sale and is on view for the month of October in the building on the corner of Elston and Berteau. It's free to come by and see 10 different artists' views of the beautiful world we live in.

If you missed the warm and wonderful opening on Friday you can still stop by on week-ends through the month of October to see the show. Art In My Back Yard has invested in better lighting and the space is the best yet. Thanks again to Jackie Kazarian and Liz Mills.

2009-08-18T14:33:00.003-05:00

July 12, 2009 Chicago's own Bach and Beyond performed Mendelsohn's incidental music to Shakespear's, "A Midsummer's Night Dream" in the 6th floor ballroom of the DANK HOUSE. To add color and form to the stunning performance local and international artists including Cyd Smillie presented artwork inspired by the play (see example -"Puck and Oberon Amused by Fools")

The collected artwork continues to be on exhibit in the Scharpenberg Gallery through August. The gallery is open on Saturdays from 11 to 3 or by appointment.

2009-05-03T08:10:00.003-05:00

Is there anything more rejuvenating than the sight of spring flowers? This May the Avram Eisen Gallery gives you a chance to enjoy their life affirming wonder even if your garden hasn't sprouted yet. Cyd Smillie along with 10 other area artists plant their seeds and share their visions of beauty. Come share the experience the first week-end of May, and maybe buy mom a flower that will last for years to come.

2009-02-20T21:31:00.002-06:00

"The Ecstasy" of the moment; of the season; of the day; of the dream. Where will it carry you? For artist Cyd Smillie sketches from life come back to life in new colors, with new feeling, and passion. If you could have an image for your walls, what would you like to see day after day? Something empty? Something that reinforces what you dream it could be? What you could be...Surround yourself with the images you love and will love you back.

2008-12-09T08:49:00.002-06:00

August House Studios in Chicago opened "Blue Plate Special" to a rousing crowd of art enthusiasts and foodies alike. Some came in after seeing Dave Hoekstra's article in the Chicago Suntimes some because they wanted unique gifts for the season but all the guests were treated to a 3 day opening that featured 114 original plates. Cyd Smillie was among the nearly 80 artists who contributed a blue plate for the show along with Nick Bridge, Tom James, Alan Hicks, and many other Chicago favorites. Stop by and enjoy! The show will be up through December.

2008-10-20T14:56:00.002-05:00

October greys.

November awaits its turn,

and art changes too.

In preparation for an unspecified show Cyd Smillie paints with renewed energy. The DANK HAUS show continues through November and the preparations for "The Blue Plate Special" show in December at the AUGUST HOUSE STUDIOS are well under way. "What's on your plate this fall?"

2008-09-17T14:23:00.003-05:00

October is Artist Month in Chicago and Cyd Smillie joins the fun with showings at the DANK HAUS and AVRAM EISEN GALLERY. The DANK HAUS show, "Facing Walls" features work by artists responding to a prompt about walls--emotional and physical. Check out artslant.com for pictures of some of the artwork and furniture. The show opens October 3rd and runs through November 29th.

The special exhibit at the Avram Eisen Gallery features artists who are parents and faculty at Chicago's Bell School. Originally a 3 day celebration, the artwork has been held over for the month. Cyd Smillie will be showing both watercolors and traditional oils all for sale with a portion of the sales benefitting the school.

Summer Classes a Great Sucess: Looking Forward to Adult Classes in the Fall

2008-09-14T19:30:00.008-05:00

This past summer of 2008, Cyd Smillie and AUGUST HOUSE STUDIOS teamed up again to present a two week long summer camp experience in two parts. In session one, "If I Ran The Zoo" young artists from the Chicago area experienced block printing, pastel life drawings, watercolor, and many art related games. The camp culminated with the creation of "Artemis" the wonderful creature designed, executed, and painted by the students, complete with the zoo backdrop of his natural habitat.

Week two's theme was "Joining The Circus". All the campers started the session by developing their "circus character", notably "The Amazing Psychic" and "Duck Man". Cyd's focus was to have the kids play and have fun throughout the experience while exposing them to some new and unexplored art territory. The final circus performance included a parade of animals (hobby horses with paper-mache details), and performances by the circus stars. Cyd, the acting ringmaster, introduced all the campers, from the "tightrope walker" who walked on a jump rope on the ground, to the magnificent "tumbling triplets" who all showed off their fantastic gymnastics skills. Without a real Circus Tent for shelter, when the performance was over, thunder rolled and the audience and performers all rushed inside to keep from getting too wet in the celebratory rain.

Images to Carry With You

2008-05-08T13:25:00.002-05:00

Pause: A Visual Intermezzo at The Dank in Chicago is available for viewing before the opening in June at any of the music and film events. This art show includes works by Ed Ott, Cyd Smillie Lothar Speer, Anwar Sheikh Susan Barton and Eva Rossi-Kivimaki. With nearly 50 images to savor in the beautiful Scharpenberg Gallery there is good reason to visit.

2008-04-14T12:40:00.002-05:00

With sping in the air and winter feasting behind us, Cyd Smillie adds two small paintings to an art show, "Studios Revealed" curated by Jackie Kazarian, the hot Chicago artist whose name appears everywhere these days from Alfedena Gallery to Chicago's big ARTROPOLIS event. "Studios Revealed" will be Opening April 24-May 31st at 3955 N. Irving Park Road, Chicago, right off the expressway, near the corner of Pulaski and Irving Park. So instead of fighting the Eden's construction back-up, come by for a visit and see a different view.

2008 Welcomes the Old and The New!

2008-01-23T10:29:00.001-06:00

The New Year Starts with exploring the old. Cyd Smillie works on portraits in the old Venetian Style, while her students at August House Studios in Chicago prepare for a show in February. More than twenty 6-12 year old students will be showing their talents at block printing, mono-printing, pastels and charcoal starting Friday February 15th through the end of the month. This block print is by 9 year old student Elli G. who is showing her art for the first time.

End of Show/Looking Ahead

2007-11-09T14:11:00.000-06:00

November marks the end of GERMANS IN MIND at the DANK-HAUS in Chicago. It's a beautiful show with over 170 pieces of art,sculpture and furniture in three newly renovated galleries. In the Scharpenberg and Rough Space galleries you can see rooms of art designed to please and interest. The end-of-show party is November 17th so please come before it's all gone.
November also finds the end of the first block of children's art classes taught by Cyd Smillie at August House Studios in Chicago. There has been some amazing and beautiful work and a show is being planned for the new year--too many holiday shows already in the works!

Chicago is now colored in the flat stark light of winter. Carmels and orchres are creeping into the palette of unfinished works. Obsidian waits for the rain. Grab a book, find your slippers and settle in.

2007-10-23T22:26:00.001-05:00

Germans In Mind

2007-10-23T10:29:00.001-05:00

DANK-HAUS PRESENTS PREMIER ART EXHIBITION GERMANS IN MIND

DANK-HAUS, German Cultural Center, presents a premier exhibition, "Germans in Mind; A Celebration of German Thought Through Art", October 13th-November 17th in both the Scharpenberg and Rough Space Galleries. Featuring the work of 23 international and local artists, the exhibition focuses on unique and original visual perspectives inspired by prominent German philosophical themes, prose and iconic figures. Chicago artist, Cyd Smillie, presents over 15 paintings inspired by German artists and german culture.

The Scharpenberg and Rough Space Galleries are located on the 4th floor of the historic DANK-HAUS, German Cultural Center, 4740 North Western Avenue, in the heart of Lincoln Square. The venue is free and open to public, Saturdays, from 11-3pm, with additional viewing times available by appointment.

DANK-HAUS, German Cultural Center is part of Chicago Artists Month, the twelfth annual celebration of Chicago's vibrant visual art community. In October, more than 200 exhibitions of emerging and established artists, openings, demonstrations, tours, open studios and neighborhood art walks take place at galleries, cultural centers and arts buildings though out the city. For further information, call 312/744-6630 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/CulturalAffairs, or www.chicagoartistmonth.org
Chicago Artists Month is coordinated by the Chicago Department of Tourism with additional support from 3Arts. This project is partially supported by a City Arts Program I grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Art Council, a state agency.

Amidah: Is Art an Act of Devotion?

2007-10-23T10:10:00.000-05:00

Shaare Tikvah B'nai Zion presents a fine art exhibition featuring the art of 12 local Chicago artists responding to the question, "Is Art an act of Devotion?". Cyd Smillie curator and artist offers 6 paintings of her own which express the patience and quiet of devotion.