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 200 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 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 Studio Visits; and the annual CAVA Symposium.
2021 MEMBERS' SHOW OPENING RECEPTION featuring Artist Interviews | May 2, 2021
MEET OUR MEMBERS
FEATURED CAVA ARTIST
BLASE MASINI
Blase Masini is a 1982 graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in printmaking. He pursued an MFA degree before moving to the social sciences. About nine years ago he began painting in earnest under the guidance of his long-time friend and mentor Rebecca Crowell, an abstract painter who works in cold wax. While working with Crowell, Blase discovered cold wax, and found it a medium that lent itself well to his work.
Bronze Vein #1, Oil, cold wax, collage on panel
Blase describes his relationship with cold wax as challenging as well as liberating. “When I first worked with cold wax medium, I created rich organic surfaces that I struggled to manage. By using collage and stencils to mask out areas, I was able to introduce some order to the organic surfaces cold wax medium afforded me. The painting process holds a constant tension between chaos and order. When shapes flatten or lines are too crisp, I feel bored by the result. When shapes or lines dissolve, I am unsettled.”
Ruby Path #1, Oil, cold wax, and collage on panel
Blase has had solo shows in Racine, WI and Evanston, IL. He has exhibited in juried shows across the country, and is a featured artist in the groundbreaking book Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations. His work is on display through June 4 in the Collective Awakenings exhibition at the Beverly Art Center in Chicago, IL; and he will exhibit a stained glass window in the upcoming MULTI-PLICITY show at Tall Grass Gallery in Park Forest, IL (June 18–July 23, 2022).
Grouted #2, Oil, cold wax, and collage on panel
Blase lives and works in Evanston, IL
with his two sons. Click here to find
out more about Blase Masini and
see more of his work.