Chicago Alliance
of Visual Artists
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CAVA is a volunteer not-for-profit organization founded in 1988 to serve artists aged 50+. We're dedicated to giving our over 300 members throughout Chicagoland the opportunity to exhibit artwork in at least three exhibits annually in such notable venues as the Chicago Cultural Center, Evanston Art Center, Bridgeport Art Center, Beverly Arts Center, and the Leslie Wolfe Gallery in Old Town.
Creating art can be a solitary occupation—CAVA organizes and presents events for older artists to come together through its exhibitions, salons, member luncheons, workshops, annual Symposium, and special events. For more information, visit our CONTACT page, and sign up for our e-newsletter.
CAVA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:
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Exhibit in the Annual Members Show;
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Enter the juried Later Impressions exhibition;
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Engage in various group and media-focused exhibitions
we organize throughout the Chicago area; -
Participate in membership social and educational programs, including our Salon/Critique Events; CAVA's Intergenerational Projects; Artist Studio Visits; and the annual CAVA Symposium.
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FEATURED CAVA ARTIST
LESLIE ARMSTRONG spent most of her childhood with a musical instrument in her hand—she learned to play the guitar at age 5, clarinet at 9, and took up the bass guitar and bassoon in high school, earning a music scholarship to Millikin University in Decatur, IL. After freshman year, she discovered the world of art, and quickly found her place in it. She took up photography, printmaking, and excelled at computer graphics, earning an Outstanding Senior Artist award shortly before graduation. She received her BFA from Millikin with an emphasis in commercial art and computer graphics. Leslie began her career working at a video post-production house in Chicago, then moved into the corporate arena as a graphic designer.
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Woman Adorned, mixed media-pendant and ink
Following her corporate days, Leslie worked in the tech department at the local school district her children attended. She initially worked writing code for their website, eventually becoming the district’s first Communications Coordinator, developing graphics, photographing events, and creating social media and community outreach programs. In 2020, when the global pandemic shuttered schools, Leslie found herself needing a creative outlet, and strung her first beaded bracelet. From there, a rekindled childhood love of the lapidary arts and an insatiable drive led her to learn to wire wrap gemstones and weave crystal and gemstone beads into intricate necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
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Copper Moon, sodalite and moonstone pendant
As interest in Leslie’s jewelry grew, she wanted to create a way to display the pieces so they could be enjoyed on multiple levels. She created her project Pendant and Inks to show pieces at art festivals and galleries. She creates mandala-inspired, hand-drawn ink backgrounds in response to a specific pendant. The original pendant hangs in a shadow box frame centered on the ink drawing. This unique combination elevates the necklace from being only a wearable piece of jewelry into an art piece to be exhibited and enjoyed— "jewelry without boundaries."
Reaching for the Trees, pendant and ink
"I really enjoy the creative process, says Leslie. "Nothing is planned; each gemstone cabochon has an energy and story I feel compelled to share through the creation of the pendant and the subsequent ink drawing designs." Leslie has been invited to show at many juried and curated exhibits in the past few years. She won Best of Show in the Wearables category at the September 2025 Mundelein Fine Arts Festival.
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Reaching for the Trees II, ink and colored pencil
Leslie shares her day-to-day creative process on social media as @leslieamediagroup on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.
CLICK HERE to find out more about Leslie and see more of her art.