URGENT UPDATE: The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook is set to host its highly anticipated Lapidary Day on November 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free event promises a full day of exciting demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages, led by experts from the West Suburban Lapidary Club.
This is a unique opportunity for rock enthusiasts and curious visitors alike to engage with the art of lapidary, where nature’s beauty meets human craftsmanship. Attendees can witness live demonstrations, including rock cutting, polishing, and faceting, as well as interactive projects designed for children.
Members of the West Suburban Lapidary Club will showcase their skills, with 10 to 15 club members expected to participate. Mary Prosek, the club’s school director, emphasized the excitement, stating, “We have a guy that’s going to be doing faceting. We have a lady that works with wire. Someone that likes beads.” A special highlight includes a younger member selling her handcrafted jewelry, adding a personal touch to the event.
As Prosek explained, many attendees may be unfamiliar with lapidary art, making this event crucial for raising awareness. “A lot of people don’t know what the lapidary is and what we do as a club,” she noted. Visitors will have the chance to talk to club members and even try their hand at various lapidary skills.
For the young attendees, there will be craft projects and a delightful surprise: “One of our instructors, Jose Ponce, always brings real soft rock that’s cut quickly and he makes little hearts for little girls,” Prosek shared. This initiative aims to inspire a new generation of rockhounds.
The Lizzadro Museum, which relocated to its modern and accessible facility in Oak Brook in November 2019, is committed to educating the public about this fascinating art form. Museum educator Sara Kurth stated, “It’s a way to provide for the general population a chance to see lapidary in action. It gets people in the door.”
Kyle Brill, the museum’s executive director, highlighted the significance of Lapidary Day, explaining that it showcases the intricate skills involved in this ancient art. “It’s a very difficult art if you’re not initiated into how all these pieces in our museum are created,” Brill said. “Most of our collection is either created naturally by Mother Earth or from materials that were already beautiful but were then shaped by human hands into something even more spectacular.”
Lapidary is one of the oldest art forms in the world, with roots tracing back to the Stone Age. Brill noted, “In a world where everything is digital and transitory, when you’re dealing with lapidary, you have something solid and real in your hands making it into something more beautiful.”
Don’t miss this chance to explore the captivating world of lapidary art at the Lizzadro Museum. For more information, visit the museum’s website at lizzadromuseum.org or call 630-833-1616.
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