Cathy Schmidt explains the beginning steps of making a leather quilt. 
Leather is an environmentally expensive material so I do my best to use it efficiently. In the process of making bags, clothing, etc I generate pounds of scraps that I could not justify dumping into a landfill. 
I have always thought traditional quilts were fascinating with their geometry, symmetry, and use of color. 
So why not combine the two?!? I am in the small stage of building a quilt. 
Step 1: Cut out the pieces
Step 2: punch holes for stitching
Step 3: stitch basic pieces together
​Step 4: Rinse and repeat a gazillion times

Congratulation Madeline Steimle! She has been invited to participate in the exhibit In Line. August 18 to September 29. Reception August 25 from 5-7 pm

Congratulations to Madeline Steimle, Oak Street artist member.
Artspace 304 presents Locality Biennial Exhibition on view July 5 – August 11. In celebration of the rich and diverse talent in Southern Illinois. 48 artists from the region are participating. Reception Friday, July 7 from 5 – 7 pm.
Congrats Madeline!!!

The collective Oak Street Art complete the project of  the mural Creativity, created and designed by Sue Gindlesparger. (for more info click on section "Mural")

Work by Luca Cruzat was accepted to the 30th Cedarhurst Biennial, as well as works of artist friends Rachel Ensor and Martha Briana. Of  219 works of art submitted at the competition, a total of 54 works have been accepted into this year’s exhibition.
The top award winners will be announced during the Opening Reception on Friday, August 4th.   Check the Facebook page for upcoming information or visit the website’s upcoming exhibits gallery link https://cedarhurst.org/upcoming-exhibits/ for further details.  The exhibition will be on display August 5 to October 8, 2023 at the Mitchell Museum’s New Semantics Gallery.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-5 (closed Mondays)

Artists and craftspeople made the event a successful exchange, on the street, between the works and the community. We, the collective Oak Street Art, appreciate all participating artists as well as all visitors. Gifted musicians shared their talents, and thanks to all the support and volunteering we received from family members, friends, the Logan Museum, and the city of Murphysboro.
We can say that on Saturday 29 we had a great 7th edition of our Oak Street Art Fair 2023. Thank you!

Art Education advocacy. A flyer done by art teachers, we support their commitment.

A one-day exhibition The Multiple: works in printmaking was our first show at Logan Gallery, across from Logan Museum. An excellent place to show contemporary work by Southern Illinois artists. Currently Oak Street Art collective is in charge of planning the exhibits and pop-up sales. We will announce the events in this venue as well as in Facebook and Instagram. 
The Multiple: works in printmaking intended to show new work by Martha Briana and Luca Cruzat, both artists/printmakers. Martha presented screenprint works reusing paper and fabric, while Luca's work are collagraphs, variable editions on paper on the theme "The Other".
Here are some photos.
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Darby Ortolano and Madeline Steimle are participating in this exhibit. Congratulations to the two Oak Street artists.
                                                 Art Space 304, Carbondale,  IL
                                                   10 Mar 2023 – 14 Apr 2023
The juror, David Hammond, will determine Best in Show, Second Place, and Third Place, which will be announced at the opening reception on March 10th from 5-7 pm. 

Congratulations to Darby Ortolano for her second place in the Juried exhibition Nature. A member of the collective Oak Street Art. Good job Darby!!!!