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 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.
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LINKS to more info
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NEW CAVA artist interviews!
FEATURED CAVA ARTIST
DARLENE BOCK earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has used her talents and education to create illustrations as well as fine art landscapes and portraits in pastel and pencil.
Her style can be referred to as “painterly realism,” encompassing a variety of subject matter, but focusing on the human form. “Life drawing is an important part of my practice," she says. "I love portraying people, especially those caught in the midst of life.” She works in various media, but has found pastels to be her true calling.
South Side Ladies Lunch, pastel, 2023
“The moment I tried pastel, it was love at first touch," says Darlene. “My passion for drawing is now imbued with expression in color. When painting, I expand on what I see, keeping my strokes visible, allowing the viewer to 'see my hand,' and better experience my process as well as the interaction of color." Darlene enjoys experimenting with different types of paper surfaces for her artwork “The various papers I use have a rough texture (sometimes sanded), to hold the pure pastel pigment. The surface allows me to layer colors that stay where I put them, without disturbing those underneath.”
Forgotten, pastel, 2026
In her most recent work, Darlene has returned to capturing landscapes and sunsets. “I'm at heart an outdoors person, so plein air painting and connecting with nature really appeals to me,” she says. “Working in natural light is the best way to see color that a camera cannot capture. I find joy in transforming the commonplace into something unexpected. It's a feeling I try to share through my art.”
Evening Drama, pastel, 2026
Darlene is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and the Chicago Pastel Painters. Her award-winning work has been juried into many national and international exhibitions, and is in many private and public collections throughout the U.S. To find out more about Darlene, and see more of her work, CLICK HERE and follow her on Instagram at darlene_bock