The Ridge Historical Society will host a special exhibit this fall/winter.
"Threads of Imagination" – an exhibit exploring the intersection of art and fashion through the creativity of past and current artists on the Ridge – will open for the Art Walk on September 21, 2019, and run through mid-January 2020.
The exhibit will feature a historical look at Madame Alla Ripley (1867-1948), a famous fashion designer who lived on the Ridge in the early 1900s.
The work of four current Ridge artists involved in various aspects of fashion art will be on display.
Judie Anderson will show the fashion illustrations she created for the Chicago American newspaper in the 1960s. This work covers period fashion shows as well as advertisements.
Nicole Burns will display accessories and unique items she creates from vintage fabrics. Her collection of vintage sewing implements will also be on display.
Sandra Leonard will loan us some of her sculptural clothing, costumes she has created for performance art and other events. Photos of her art in use and samples of her hand-painted fabrics will also be on display.
Maggie O'Reilly will share with us her MaggyMay girls' clothing line, and items from her MAYTA collection, her designs created in Peru and Morocco through Fair Trade agreements.
Here are important dates to remember for viewing this show:
– Saturday, Sept. 21 – The Beverly Art Walk
– Fri., Sat., and Sun., Sept. 27, 28, 29 – The Annual RHS Garage and Better Book Sale
– Sat. and Sun., Oct. 19 and 20 – Open House Chicago
– TBD in early December – RHS Open House and Reception- Meet the Artists, who will have items for sale
– TBD, early January – RHS Champagne and Sweets Reception
More dates will be added as open times are arranged.
Since the 1870s, when artists came by train from downtown Chicago to set up their easels for a day's sketching and painting, there has been an arts community on the Ridge. This exhibit looks at one of the most famous "modistes" of the Chicago, indeed the entire U.S.A., fashion scene, who made the Ridge her family's home.The quartet of current fashion artists who live and create on the Ridge contribute to keeping the arts community alive.
Photo: Madame Alla Ripley, 1916. Photo from her great-niece, Lanora King.