May is Mental Health Awareness Month and many of the local shops and businesses within the Arts District offer services for enhancing mental health and whole body, mind, and spiritual wellness.
From therapy and counseling to studios specializing in Reiki, meditation, dance, and language learning, along with unique gyms focused on holistic health rather than just toning—many of the businesses here are united by a vision to help individuals achieve wellness.
Check out many of the local businesses in the Arts District to enhance your Mental Health and Well-Being.
Natalie Walsh
Natalie Walks guides clients to identify and release what’s no longer serving them in order to move forward to live a life filled with passion and purpose, shining their inner light on their own life as well as those around them!
Tip from Natalie Walsh: Through our lives we take on the weight of grief, limiting beliefs, physical, mental, and energetic blocks from traumas, past “versions” of ourselves which we become attached to, even when that version is no longer feeling good or bringing us joy! I help clients to clear that and welcome new abundant energy into their bodies, their energy, their homes, their work, and their relationships so they can live the beautiful, purposeful, peaceful life they were put on earth to live! Learn more about Natalie Walsh.
Mosaic Counseling & Wellness
Mosaic believes that there is room for growth in all of our lives. They understand that the fit between therapist and client is essential to success as healing occurs within relationships. They practice from an insight-oriented, collaborative, and individualized approach to meet the unique needs of clients. They offer services for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Mosaic therapists work with clients to co-create an empathic and accepting space where they can feel safe while also feeling challenged to work towards change.
Tip from Mosaic: Take a moment for yourself today with the gentle art of journaling. Amidst life’s hustle, it’s important to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner world. Carve out some quiet time, grab your favorite notebook, and let your thoughts flow freely onto the page. Nurture your mind, one entry at a time. Learn more about Mosaic.
Purple Sun Arts
“Raise Your Vibration” is the theme at Purple Sun Arts. Visit the shop to see a delightful collection of Cicada inspired paintings, artwork, and jewelry that will inspire and help you raise your vibration. The shop offers an immersive arts experience for those who seek purpose and meaning.
Tip from Purple Sun: Try out Cosmic Smashbooking™ and Cosmic Coaching™ with Dr. Ann Viernes, founder of Purple Sun Arts. Her workshops and transformational life coaching sessions helps clients create more purpose and meaning in their lives.
Fifty First Street Studio
Fifty First Street is a shop and studio for people interested in fostering a creative lifestyle. The studio offers workshops for all ages to learn new visual art skills, find connection with themselves and others, and expand the boundaries of their own creativity.
Tip from Cassie, owner of Fifty First Street: Pop in and check out the ceramics + goods in the store. She encourages you to them in your hands and feel the weight of each piece. These items are meant to be used and loved. Consider a workshop to expand the boundaries of your own creativity! Learn more about Fifty First Street.
Summer is a great time to start learning French or progress from your current level by taking a six-week French class with l’Institut français d’Oak Park! Registration opens on Monday, April 29 for classes that will take place from June 11 through July 17 in the Oak Park Arts District.
Start learning French with Le Débutant or build your French vocabulary, conversational fluency, and comprehension with Le Touriste, Le Globetrotteur, or Le Découvreur. Visit our website for session details and course descriptions.
What’s Blooming on Harrison 2024 – Lineup Announced! 🎶
Get ready to celebrate spring at the annual What’s Blooming on Harrison, happening RAIN OR SHINE on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in the vibrant Oak Park Arts District! From 11 AM to 7 PM, with our Beer Garden and Music Stage jamming out until 9 PM, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Here’s what’s on tap for this year’s festival
Art & Craft Galore: Wander through over 120 booths featuring the best in local art, crafts, and small businesses at our Vendor Fair.
Live Music All Day: Our Music Stage is set with a full lineup of bands and solo acts ready to rock your socks off.
Feast Your Heart Out: Enjoy tasty food from local restaurants, food trucks, and vendors.
Cheers to Local Brews: Sip on craft beers from the renowned Kinslahger brewery in our Beer Garden.
Family Fun: Don’t miss the Kiddie Carnival with beloved rides, fun games, and fabulous prizes for the little ones.
Art Auction Extravaganza: Take part in our Art Auction where you can view and bid on stunning artworks from talented local artists.
Come out to support the Arts, Community, and the Oak Park Arts District. Bring your friends, family, and festive spirits to enjoy a day packed with entertainment, art, and community vibes.
Stage Lineup is Set
Check out the video below to get a feel for this fun and family-friendly fest!
Thank you to our Sponsors who make this Event Possible!
Oak Park’s Largest and Favorite Spring street festival is in Full Bloom!
Since 1999, Harrison Street between Humphrey and Culyer is transformed every May with Booths including an art fair, crafter booths, local business booths, food vendors, children’s carnival rides, an art auction, craft beer garden, and entertainment stage for the WHAT’S BLOOMING STREET FESTIVAL.
Showcase your Art, Talent or Business at the Vendor Fair
Unleash your creativity and shine bright at our Vendor Fair! Whether you’re an artist, maker, or a budding entrepreneur, this is your chance showcase your craft to a vibrant community of enthusiasts. We are now accepting Art Vendors, Food Vendors, Community Booths, and Art Auction Submissions for the What’s Blooming. Complete the form by Saturday, April 6, to be included in all the pre-event promotion.
Save the date and gather your friends and neighbors for What’s Blooming
Get ready to enjoy the Oak Park Arts District’s signature event with over 5000 people expected to attend. What’s Blooming is a day filled with amazing artisans and makers tents, fun, food, music, and good neighborhood vibes from 11 am to 7 pm.
As the sun goes down, the tunes crank up, and our craft beer garden keeps the good times flowing until 9 pm.
The Arts District was buzzing with YELLOW on Saturday as shoppers visited the many women-owned businesses in celebration of our 7th annual WOW event.
Celebrating Women’s History and Unique Women-Owned Businesses
Each year in March, the Oak Park Arts District celebrates Women’s History Month with their WOW! Women Owned Works event. Gail Coughlin, owner of Elevate Creative (321 Harrison Street) was inspired to start the event in 2017 after the Women’s March.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity to celebrate all the women-owned businesses in the arts district—the most of any business district in Oak Park,” said Gail. “It was not a happy time and I wanted to bring something positive to the neighborhood.” Yellow was chosen as the signature color for the event. “It’s happy and cheerful. It’s bright and attention-grabbing,” said Gail.
Event Highlights
Below are some highlights from the event that were captured by the Village of Oak Park and PickOakPark.
Bead in Hand Specialty Shop
Ceramics at Fifty Fifty-First Street Studio
Creative Art Therapists at Mosaic
Fine Art at Expressions Graphics
Arts and Jewelry at Purple Moon Studio
Delicious Pies at Happy Apple Pie Shop
Colorful Crafting at Dye Hard Yarns
Girl Scout Cookies at Laura Maychruk Real Estate
Create and Meditate at Natalie Walsh Design Studio
By Kelly Pollock, feature writer for The Buzz Cafe
What’s Blooming on Harrison has become Oak Park’s largest street festival. This year’s event is on Saturday, May 20, and runs from 11am to 7pm. The Craft Beer Garden and Main Stage will operate until 9pm. Presenting sponsors Byline Bank, Mosaic Counseling & Wellness, Oak Park Apartments, and Oak Park Bank will help ensure the festival’s success.
Started in 1999, the festival has grown and now includes an art fair, entertainment stage, craft beer garden, kiddie carnival, and silent auction. Over 100 booths will line Harrison Street from Humphrey to Highland. Among the vendors are several Oak Park Arts District businesses as well as other local artists, non-profit organizations, and commercial businesses.
Carey Carlock, the co-founder of presenting sponsor Mosaic Counseling & Wellness, had this to say about the event, “We will have members of our team meeting and greeting and chatting up mental wellness. We will have face painting and mental health awareness bracelets, stickers, and stress balls. … As an integrated therapy practice, we fervently believe in healing through the arts. We are proud to have four art therapists and two dance movement therapists on our team.”
The festival’s Main Stage will have various groups performing throughout the day. Described as a “wildflower bouquet of local musicians,” the stage will have family programming from 11am-2pm, followed by the School of Rock Show Team, Dozen Buzzin’ Cousins, David Singer, Summer Drive, and then headliner The Crombies at 7:45pm. “Get your dancing shoes on!” said Annette Coffee, the Oak Park Arts District Marketing Coordinator.
This year’s Beer Garden will have craft beer from Kinslahger Brewing Company. “We are thrilled to have Kinslahger beers at What’s Blooming this year. It’s awesome to have such an amazing brewery that is such a great neighbor!” said Trevor Toppen, festival committee member and owner of Val’s halla Records.
Food vendors will include Oak Park Arts District favorites Buzz Café, Mora Oak Park, Taco Mucho, The Happy Apple Pie Shop, and Trattoria 225. Other food options will be available too, including Babygold Barbecue and Candycopia.
For families, the kiddie carnival rides won’t disappoint. Tickets are $1.25 each or a book of 20 will be available for $22. Each ride costs three tickets. Although tickets are cash only, there will be an ATM available.
New this year is a silent auction that will be set up in the Oak Park Arts District Business Association tent. Items available include artwork from Steve Fischer, Karen Schuman, Janice Elkins, Kim Humphrey, Marion Sirefman, Ann Viernes, Ken Reif, and Mimi Comerford.
This year’s What’s Blooming poster features a rendering of an original piece called “Surrounded by Grace” by local artist Annette Zwierzchowski Donlin. The painting is a very personal one by Donlin that she created after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I turned to my art to help heal not only my body but also my spirit. [The painting] helped me understand that life is about moments and trying to really be present in the moment we are in. … I thought about all my ancestors, our Creator, all the positive energy I have around me. It was a creation of prayer for me; a meditation of optimism, beauty, and God’s grace … inviting all into my soul to help me heal,”said Donlin.
Festival committee member and local resident Mimi Comerford was thankful for the help of their volunteers, “So much goes into making this festival happen and we are grateful for all the help we get from our community. Without our volunteers we could never make this happen.”
Admission is free. For more information about What’s Blooming on Harrison, visit the Oak Park Arts District website at www.oakparkartsdistrict.com.
