Dekker: Tinley Park artists hard at work
By Julie Dekker Citizen Journalist/mrsdekker@comcast.net August 30, 2012 11:30AM
Tinley Park Fire Department public education coodinator Bill Proper with the 2011 Fire Safety Poster Contest Grand Award winning poster by Maggie McCullough from Fulton School. | Supplied photo
Updated: October 3, 2012 6:08AM
Local artists will have their work on display this month at Republic Bank, 8420 W. 171st St., in Tinley Park.
Established in 1964, Republic Bank is celebrating its second anniversary at this location.
Tinley Park artists Kelly Johnson, Katie Farrell, Maureen Andrews, Susan Flanagan and myself will have work on display in the lobby from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Each month the bank offers free presentations on a variety of subjects. From 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 18, the Tinley Park American Cancer Society will give a presentation on healthy nutrition and exercise. Reservations can be made by phoning (708) 429-9360 by Sept. 15.
On Oct. 17, the bank will bring Tinley Park Fire Department public education coordinator Bill Proper in for a program geared toward seniors. He will provide safety tips for older adults.
For information on upcoming programs, contact Lynda Brennan at (708) 429-9360.
As the new school year begins, Proper and his public education team are visiting schools to launch the 41st annual Fire Safety Poster Contest. October is Fire Prevention Month but the poster contest begins now.
The theme for 2012 is “Have Two Ways Out.”
The campaign focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. Winners will be chosen from each grade level and overall winners will have their artwork on the 2013 Fire Prevention Calendar and receive a ride to school in a fire engine.
The annual fire department open house is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 13 at the John T. Dunn Public Safety Building, 17355 S. 68th Court.
There will be lots of free activities and demonstrations during the open house. The winning fire prevention posters will be on display.
Speaking of young artists, the newest gallery on Oak Park Avenue, Garden Gallery and Studio, will host a solo exhibit by 9-year-old artist Emma Galzan.
Emma has been drawing and painting most of her young life.
“It is not unusual for Emma to work from drawings she did in first grade to create a painting,” Garden Center gallery director Beth Kopf said. “She is quite accomplished for her young age and we are happy to have her work in the gallery.”
Kopf said Emma is very excited to be having the show and has even picked out the food and music she would like at the reception. The paintings will be on display at the Garden Center Gallery and Studio, 17459 S. Oak Park Ave., Sept. 29, with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m.
I hope you have a chance to get out and support these artists both young and old. It’s wonderful to see that Tinley Park has developed a rich cultural community where even our youngest residents can thrive.
