Meet the Geneva Arts Fair Judges

Designed as an interactive gallery, this year’s juried Geneva Arts Fair show will provide visitors with the opportunity to peruse multiple mediums and talk directly with the artists about their stunning displays. As they stroll down Third Street in Geneva, guests can enjoy art “en plein aire” without the unforgiving chill of a museum and, best of all, for free.

Kids can use their originality and imagination to create and transform thousands of hangers from blank canvases into one-of-a-kind artwork. Admire how nature becomes a showplace for these masterpieces.

Four awards of excellence will be awarded in the 2-D category and the 3-D category. Geneva Chamber of Commerce is honored to have Len Bielefeldt and James Kearns as judges for the 2012 Geneva Arts Fair.

Bielefeldt has been creating paintings for more than 40 years. Self-taught, he sold his first watercolor at age 10. Setting up an easel in a rented space and hanging a few paintings developed into Len’s Geneva business, . An art supply store, gallery, professional artist studio and school. Len enjoys teaching his philosophy to aspiring artists. The feeling of complete, utter joy and happiness you feel when you create and give. Working in a variety of medium’s and painting just about anything, Len never stops exploring and finding beauty in all art.

James Kearns has studied 3-D art extensively, earning two bachelors of fine arts degrees in 2003 and 2004 from University of Illinois in glass and ceramics, and a master of fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007.  James started his career in art as the Ceramics Coordinator at Waubonsee Community College where he still teaches various subjects as an adjunct professor in the Fine Arts department on occasion.  He also taught ceramics at McHenry County College for several years. James is a full-time instructor of ceramics at Northern Illinois University. He is an active artist, as well, and has exhibited extensively in both juried and invitational shows throughout the United States.

The 2012 Geneva Arts Fair is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28 and 29, on Third Street in Geneva. For more information, visit genevachamber.com/artfair.html or call 630-232-6060. Click here to view a video of a past Geneva Art Fair.