Chicago Alliance
of Visual Artists
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Connect with and follow us!
CAVA is a volunteer not-for-profit organization founded in 1988 to serve artists aged 50+. We're dedicated to giving our over 375 members throughout the greater Chicago area the opportunity to exhibit artwork in at least four exhibits annually in such notable venues as the Chicago Cultural Center,
MANA Contemporary, Evanston Art Center, Bridgeport Art Center, Art Center Highland Park, and 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 our juried exhibitions, including the annual 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 Critique Events; Artists' Studio Visits; and the annual CAVA Symposium.
FEATURED CAVA ARTIST
Laura LaRue received her BA in Art Education in 1992 with a concentration in ceramics, but didn’t really begin making artwork for herself until 15 years later, when she discovered encaustic painting. “I jumped right into my
career as high school art teacher after finishing my degree, and just retired this past May,” says Laura. “I'm so excited
to transition into being a full-time artist, and to start teaching my own workshops.”
Gladys Wants To See Them All Burn
mixed media: encaustic, oil paint,
pan pastel, pigment powder, gold leaf
“When I first began working with encaustic, I was very interested in collaging/mixed media, using wax as a vehicle for my drawings, and learning how it interacted with alternative media and materials. That period of experimentation eventually led to complete abstraction in my painting, and exploring the expressive possibilities of wax on its own, without the collage materials.”
Lucy Owns A Pool Maintenance Company And Doesn’t Understand Why They Can’t Figure It Out
mixed media: encaustic, oil paint, pan pastel, graphite, pigment powder, silver leaf
Her latest series, Little Old Ladies, honors the important women in our lives. “It's been exciting to channel the character/disposition of other women in order to expand my own voice,” says Laura. “With names like Betty and Stella, I find I can visually represent fond memories and infuse pieces of their personalities through the intuitive application of colors, shapes, and marks.”
Mabel Wants You To Enjoy This Hit Of Dopamine
mixed media: encaustic, Flashe, oil paint,
pan pastel, graphite
Laura has watched as the Ladies have found their voices, speaking through the words scrawled beneath layers of paint and through the titles themselves, giving viewers a stronger connection to the story beneath the surface. “As a result of these ladies getting louder,” notes Laura, “my palette has also gotten much bolder, incorporating more fluorescent colors. This new palette is not the Ladies attempting to assert themselves by appearing 'loud.' Rather, they're representing a newfound unapologetic stance, exploring vulnerability through visibility.”
Norma Needs To Delete Her Social Media
to Maintain Her Sanity
mixed media: encaustic, oil paint,
pan pastel, graphite
To find out more about Laura, and see more of her work, CLICK HERE to visit her website, and follow her on instagram at @laruela_art