Displaying items by tag: Art of the Land
Meet TLC Volunteer Mary Mariutto
The best ideas surface when friends meet new friends over coffee. In 2008, Rene Dankert invited me to meet Lisa Haderlein and Linda Balek for coffee and brainstorming to develop a fundraiser for TLC, and Art of the Land was born.
The thrill and outpouring of support from our first Art of the Land event, 11 years ago, has grown into TLC’s major annual fundraiser. I’ve enjoyed volunteering to gather artists, helping hang the exhibition at the Starline Factory, and being able to show and sell my own paintings to support TLC. It amazes me to reflect on the size and attendance of the early events compared to how much it has grown and elevated in recent years. I’m proud to have been a part of this beautiful fundraiser, which has benefitted our community for so long.
Another friendship developed through TLC is in my own backyard. I’m lucky to live behind Randy and Nancy Schietzelt, who maintain the Wingate Property. Upon moving to Crystal Lake from Portland in 2002, Nancy explained how their property is held in trust to remain protected by TLC in perpetuity.
My family and I have benefitted being adjacent to this lovely acreage because their special prairie plants and flowers have spread to our property! Randy taught my husband, Paolo, about warding off garlic mustard and other invasive species, so I feel our yard reflects the same care and value as the Wingate Property.
As an artist, I am grateful to TLC to be able to gather inspiration through the beauty in my own backyard.
Art of the Land Call for Artists, Photographers, Volunteers & Sponsors
TLC's Fourth Annual “Art of the Land” Art Show and Benefit for The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will take place at the Starline Building in Harvard September 21-22, 2012. Since 2009, TLC has worked with area artists and amateur photographers to produce a celebration of the land and all it provides. The show features artists from throughout Northeastern Illinois, music, storytelling, original video and local food. For the second year, storyteller Jim May of Alden will produce a special “Voices of the Land” feature on the first night of the event.
TLC is taking applications from artists who are interested in participating in Art of the Land. There is no fee to submit work for consideration, but artists agree to donate 30% of all sales to the Conservancy as a way of supporting the organization’s land preservation mission, and the artwork must help connect viewers with the land. The deadline for applying to participate is June 1st. Contact Cheryl at 815-337-9502 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application.
Amateur photographers are invited to participate in a photo contest with a top prize of $100. Photographers are matched with specific properties throughout McHenry County that TLC has helped preserve. The photographs will be displayed at the show, and winning photographs will be announced Saturday night, September 22, as will a People’s Choice winner. Please contact Cheryl for details, a Contest Application, and to be assigned a property. Photographers are encouraged to register early and to visit their property several times during different seasons.Those interested in helping to plan the event, or who would like to volunteer at the event, are encouraged to contact TLC for more information on volunteer opportunities and the time and location of up-coming planning team meetings. Over 300 volunteer hours were donated last year by individuals who helped set up the space, install lighting, hang artwork, paint walls, serve food at the event, bartend and other similar jobs.
Finally, businesses are sought as sponsors for the event. Sponsors receive recognition in all advertising for the event, on the invitations, at the event itself, and through TLC’s website and newsletter. Please contact Cheryl at 815-337-9502 for details.
Thank you!
