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Past articles about SHE ART Chicago retail store (now closed). I hope to re-open in the near future..........

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The Newsletter (Buzz Caf'e May 2006 Issue)

Featured Article

It's a Woman's World at She Art

By Eva Zeidner

Eclectic, eccentric, evolving - several words which come to mind when describing She Art and its owner Candy Johnson. One of Harrison Street's newest venues, She Art at 142 Harrison showcases the work of emerging local artists. All but three of the twenty-fiveartists whose works are currently on display are from Illinois. The shop features artwork, antiques and collectibles that depict women from all eras, past and present. "It's not a gallery; it's not a boutique. She Art is a store that depicts women." While the artwork depicts women, women don't necessarily create it. "I don't censor anybody's work, but if it doesn't have a woman in it, on it or about it, I probably won't take it!" states Candy. Her primary goal is to give new artists a place to show their work and clients an opportunity to buy great pieces at good prices.

She Art was formerly located on South Boulevard in Oak Park from June through November 2005. Construction on the new public works building sent Candy Johnson in search of a new location for her business. After much searching, Harrison Street became She Art's new home. Candy Johnson has been an artist her whole life and displays some of her own work including pendants made from old Bingo cards, earrings with an African flair and other eclectic metalwork. Though it's clear the creative process is an important part of her life, Candy claims she's never before been employed in the arts. A veteran business owner (she also owns a commercial sign business), Candy states that opening She Art has been a whole new experience for her. "I don't like to do one specific thing, but I try to create something new every day. Some might say I have artistic ADD. I've always been this way."

With interests in so many areas, one might wonder where the idea for She Art originated? It turns out that Candy and her partner have been collecting art that portrays women for the past ten years. One morning while out to breakfast, they came up with the idea to open a store. "We played around with the idea a bit and came up with the name She Art." As collectors, it was natural to want to include the sale of art in their business plan.

Another of Candy's passions is treasure hunting, i.e., searching antique fairs, rummage sales and estate sales for "treasures." In fact, prior to the invent of the Internet, Candy once had a business in which she would seek out pieces her clients collected. "It's so much fun! I still do it every weekend. Now I'm able to enjoy the search process and relish having the pieces in the store. Then I enjoy selling to clients who will take pleasure in owning the things. It works well with my lifestyle."

The scope of work displayed at She Art is extensive and Candy seems to have a personal connection with many of the artists whose work she is selling. Her definition of art is broad and she is adamant that one should never pigeon hole art as one specific type of thing. She wants to support the creative process and values teaching and inspiring others to both appreciate and create all forms of art.

Some of the shop's most interesting merchandise includes handmade candles in scents such as Sweet Paws (for dogs), sets of blank cards depicting nudes by Steve Radcliffe, whimsical hand sculptures, pins and books - some with a contradictory juxtaposition of color and message - by local artist Brenda Watkins, and wonderful, crazy, eclectic wind chimes created from found objects. (OK, no women in these, but as Candy says, it's her store and she can do what she wants!) Candy's partner creates stained glass pieces that are hanging in the windows. She Art carries two jewelry designers: Carmen Perez who does nudes in sterling silver and Kendra, who reconditions vintage jewelry. There are paintings, fused glass, digital images, bronze sculptures and ceramic pieces, as well as old advertisements from the 1920's and a plethora of other treasures.

While Candy jokes about her inability to focus on only one thing, it's clear she's harnessed her energy to fuel the creation of She Art. "The shop has a constantly evolving collection, and that's my personality too." To make shopping at She Art an adventure for her customers, Candy plans to change the collection every 60 days. She also plans to showcase the work of a different artist each month. Stop in on Friday and Saturday for fresh flowers and on Tuesdays for 10% off all items

She Art will celebrate it's opening on May 20th over the What's Blooming on Harrison weekend. Tribal belly dancers from Forest Park will perform in the courtyard and photographs by Catherine Tully will be featured in the shop. She Art is currently open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM and Saturday from noon until 5:00 PM. Contact Candy at (708) 763-0155 or check out their website at www.sheartchicago.com

The Buzz Caf'e  905 S. Lombard Oak Park  708.570.1484

Oak Leaves June 1st 2005 (Diversions)

Gallery celebrates women BY JENNIFER OLVERA
CONTRIBUTOR

There's a new gallery in town, and she's not like all the others. She's kind of unusual and she hopes to change your concept of what art's parameters are. Her name is She.Art, and she intends to provide Oak Park with a constant, thoughtful collection of art created by both genders to celebrate and contemplate female beauty.

The gallery is the brainchild of Chicago resident Candy Johnson who, with her partner Mercedes Corona, wants to support emerging local artists.

"I've always been a collector of antiques," Johnson said. "When I was 3, my grandpa took me to my first thrift store. It was about that time I began collecting skeleton keys. By 5, I was writing little books, and by the time I was 8 I was making clothes out of my mom's old tablecloths."

Even as a child, Johnson saw art in everything around her. She hand-painted clogs and did macramé in the '70s. She moved on to metal-smithing and writing plays. She's even completed two children's books that are yet unpublished.

"My house is eclectic and full of color," Johnson said. "I wanted my store to reflect that kind of diversity."

Divided into two parts, the gallery features antiques, art and collectibles from eras past and present in front. In back, a gallery showcases an emerging artist each month. This June, it will be Forest Park resident Jill LoBianco, who paints with acrylic on canvas.

"As an artist, I never limited myself to one medium," said LoBianco, a Columbia College photography grad. "I often use mixed media in my work because it adds texture and brings the pieces to life."

LoBianco will show 21 of her pieces during the gallery's opening month, including: "Luna," a painting of a woman holding a fabric moon surrounded by glitter and Spanish dictionary pages; and "Eve," a sort-of self-portrait that incorporates a fake apple and some rope. LoBianco also will have some digital prints on display, including one titled "Voyeurism" which features an out-of-focus woman surrounded by hands.

"Jill's work is very vibrant," Johnson said. "It's whimsical and fun, and I thought she represented the opening of the store -- and what it's all about -- beautifully."

Everything in the store is for sale, from figural statues to Victorian trays to handmade cards, jewelry and homemade journals. The connection? It's all about the ladies, of course.

"The whole idea of the store, what brings everything together, is it all has a woman 'theme,'" Johnson said. "But it's not only about including women artists."

When people come to the shop, Johnson said she actually wants them to feel a little overwhelmed.

"There's so much to look at," she said. "I want people not to be sure where to look first. This isn't the kind of store you can just breeze through. You have to spend some time."

Johnson went on to say that she hopes people will really look at the pieces and realize the concept of what art is can be much wider than they might have realized.

"Art is about form, narrative and color, not just paint," Johnson said. "My goal is to have She.Art show that everything we touch and see is art too."

She.Art

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

An artist's reception for Jill LoBianco will be held 8-10p.m. June 10

Located at 223 South Blvd., Oak Park

(708) 763-0155

She.Art Chicago: Making Women 1st
2005-06-15 Windy City Times, Chicago

BY ANDREW DAVIS

Photos by Andrew Davis

One’s mood cannot help but brighten upon entering She.Art chicago ( which, despite its name, is actually in Oak Park ) . Vibrant paintings, intriguing sculptures, and shimmering accessories—all celebrating the essence of women—greet customers.

Windy City Times recently visited the store ( which opened June 1 ) and spoke with effusive owner Candy Johnson, whose personality is in step with the art that surrounds her. The confident Johnson describes herself as “multitalented” and is a self-described “writer, artist, metalsmith ... you name it.” She spent some time talking about everything from the support of her partner to why men are so important ( for business ) .

Windy City Times: Even though the store is called She.Art, it’s not exclusively for women, right?

Candy Johnson: My God, are you kidding? Men are certainly welcome! I was thinking there would be more men buying than women; there are more male collectors than female. I don’t want it to be a women’s store. I want it to be for ...

WCT: Everyone.

CJ: Yes. I carry items from eras past and present. The collection is so eclectic that I’m hoping that people will come in looking for one [ type of art ] and find something that he or she likes.

WCT: How do you go about collecting pieces?

CJ: A lot of different ways—I go to flea markets, rummage sales, garage sales, auctions, estate sales. Sometimes I go find sales on back roads, even.

I still collect every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I make a list of [ destinations ] and I start at 8 o’clock; that’s why I won’t open until 11 a.m.

WCT: What’s been the best deal you’ve gotten?

CJ: All my freebies. [ Smiles. ] Once, I went to see some friends in North Hollywood and saw this table with these great legs. I jumped in this blue dumpster, took off the tabletop, threw [ the legs ] in my bag and left my clothes in L.A. I loved them so much. I call them the Three Graces. I consider myself a professional treasure hunter.

WCT: What types of art do you collect?

CJ: I collect all different types of art. [ Note: The Web site states that the store sells figurines, stained glass, carvings, paintings, photographs, prints, metal, photos, folk art and sculptures. ] I want the store to represent my personality and how diverse I am. I’m not a person who is stale. I constantly move and go on new adventures. I was born like that. When I was a kid, I collected keys.

Actually, I met Mercedes [ Corona, her partner ] about 10 years ago. She was collecting nude female art, so we both started collecting those. We were going to open a store and call it Eclectic Nudes, but because we felt that Oak Park is a residential area that we thought we’d broaden it to [ something that incorporated ] eclectic women’s art.

WCT: How’d you come up with the name?

CJ: Well, we were having breakfast in Andersonville one day. I wanted a name that was really simple. We came up with “her art,” but when we saw “She.Art,” that was it.

WCT: You can’t help but notice that “heart” is a big part of the name ...

CJ: [ Excited. ] I know—right? We put the period there because I kept seeing “S-Heart.”

WCT: I like that it’s there. Having “heart” there reflects the passion you have for art.

CJ: Exactly. I like the way it looks because, even though the period is there, you can still see the heart in it.

WCT: Let’s talk a bit about local artists.

CJ: Every month we’ll showcase a different local artist. He or she will get a front window display and two walls in the back. [ The store is divided into a front area that sells various collectibles and a back room that houses paintings. ] We’re strictly looking for local artists—with “local” meaning Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. I’ve actually received entries from New York and Paris. We also have ongoing featured artists; they have 90-day contracts.

WCT: You also showcase male artists.

CJ: Yes. We have one coming up in September. It’s not about the artist; it’s about the art. The art, however, has to center around women.

WCT: What’s the price range for items?

CJ: Cards are two dollars and the most expensive painting is about $850.

WCT: I see where you offer unique discounts ...

CJ: I do! It’s going to change each month. For example, it may be that if you wear pink in the store or tell me a joke, you get 10 percent off. I want people to look at the Web site [ www.sheartchicago.com ] each month and find out what the next [ offer ] will be.

WCT: Can people bring in items to sell?

CJ: Absolutely. We accept consignment pieces and I have contracts ready. I’m accepting pieces of furniture and all women-related art, of course. With artists, I work at a very low commission rate. I’m not here to make money off of them but to help them [ establish ] a following.

WCT: How hard is it to part with some of these items? Don’t you fall in love with some of them?

CJ: Yes, I really do. Like everything else, things have to evolve and change. I figure that, once I sell an item, I can find something to replace it. The hardest thing, though, is pricing an item.

WCT: Is there any other thing you wish to say about She.Art?

CJ: It’s not like a store where you walk and browse around, you know? I want people to come in, sit down, have a bottle of water and just absorb. I want [ shopping here ] to be a fun experience. Also, it will hopefully inspire people to buy new and different things.

Also, Mercedes is the best. I couldn’t have done this without her. She’s been so supportive of my venture. She stands by everything I do. No matter what I do, she always right there saying, “Go for it.”

She.Art chicago is located at 223 S. Blvd., Oak Park; the phone is ( 708 ) 763-0155. The store is open from 11-8, Tuesday through Friday and 11-6 Saturday.