Arts and Drafts 2019 brings together quality crafts
Similar to the craft beer and handmade creations at the focus of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Arts and Drafts event, this year’s event focused on quality over quantity.
The third annual event took place Sept. 28 at Orland Park Crossing.
For the first time, Arts and Drafts was a one-day event, which allowed the chamber to bring higher quality vendors and entertainment, said Joyce Bibeau, vice president of the chamber.
“This year, we focused all of our efforts onto one day,” she said. “I think it’s better for the vendors and brewers. We’re also able to have a bigger band because it’s one day.”
The chamber’s annual Arts and Drafts festival brings together local brewers as well as arts and crafts vendors, highlighting local culture and businesses.
“It’s local craft beer and local craft arts brought together and showcased to the community,” said Kyle Treglown, chamber board member and co-chairperson of the Arts and Drafts committee.
This year, the event paired beer and art even further, with several vendors offered beer-related crafts.
For example, Joliet-based cousins Megan and Michele Galbraith debuted their Bibbity Bobbity Beer & Things line on Sept. 29. The collection features beer-inspired household items, such as houseplants in beer cans, key chains and magnets made with beer bottle tops, totes and more.
“We’re cousins who craft,” Michele said. “We’re hoping to get some experience and sell a few things.”
Megan added, “This specific craft show is also a beer-tasting event, so this is the perfect place to debut our collection. ... I’m excited for everybody to see everything we’ve been working so hard on for the past three months, and I hope everybody is as excited about it as we are.”
Lemont’s Kate Quinn, owner of Soaps by Abby and More, was another beer-influenced crafter, offering craft soaps made with beer.
“I love beer, and I figured since it’s a craft show people would appreciate the quality of what I have to offer,” she said. “The beer adds a little creaminess [to the soaps]; it’s not just a novelty.”
Despite the schedule change, Arts and Drafts grows with each passing year, and this year was no different. The 2019 event featured a total of 48 beer, craft and food vendors, which compares with 2018’s 33 vendors.
“Each year, we’re growing with more and more artists and brewers,” said Kurt Lindemann, chamber board member and co-chairperson of the Arts and Drafts committee.
Lindemann and Treglown are colleagues, friends and beer enthusiasts. As such, in planning the event, they focused on showcasing high-quality craft brewers.
“This year, we have 13 breweries serving 23 unique beers,” Lindemann said. “Kyle and I are beer nerds. We know what beers are popular and what’s not.”
Tinley Park’s Hailstorm Brewing Company has participated in Arts and Drafts every year. Bartenders Dan DeCola and Jon Rodeck said the brewery likes to be present at community events to interact with both regular customers and new acquaintances.
“It’s a fun way to get away from the brewery and see people out and about,” said DeCola. “It’s a chance to meet the friends we haven’t made yet.”
Rodeck added that the brewery also supports local arts, which makes Arts and Drafts even more appealing for them.
Although most brewers are within a 10-mile radius of Orland Park, Lindemann and Treglown were excited to welcome Michigan-based brewery Arclight Brewing Company for the first time this year.
Dave Coyle, owner of Arclight, said that the company does business in the area despite being based in Michigan. So, the event not only gives the company exposure to potential new customers but also gives Coyle a chance to meet his current Illinois-based clientele.
“Kurt’s a regular fan, and comes up to the brewery when he can,” Coyle said. “He called me up and said he’s doing this event and there’s going to be a small number of brewers but good brewers, and they are. They are top-notch.”
Orland Park residents Ian Dziallo and his mother Paula Dziallo attended Arts and Drafts last year and had been anticipating its return. While Ian said he likes to taste the beers from different breweries, Paula is less of a beer-drinker who likes to browse the arts-and-crafts booths.
Ian said he particularly enjoyed the opportunity to sample craft beers from breweries he has not had the chance to visit.
“There are quite a few here that I have heard about but haven’t tried,” he said. “And there’s the one from Michigan that I wouldn’t normally be able to try.”
Patty added that even though she is not a beer fan she has been impressed by the variety of beers offered.
“I’m more of a wine drinker,” she said. “I like perusing the art booths, but I’ve found beers here I like that I didn’t think I would like.”
Unlike the Dziallos, Crestwood residents Christa McDonough and Jim Sullivan did not know what Arts and Drafts was until they were driving past the shopping center the afternoon of the event.
“We were on our way to get lunch and saw the sign and decided to pull in,” McDonough said.
It was a decision they said they did not regret.
“I like craft beers, and Two Acres is the only one here that I’ve ever heard of, so it’s cool to try new beers,” Sullivan said.
McDonough added, “It’s so much fun.”