Ruixin ZhangVisual journalist
PHOTOJOURNALISMHIDDEN GEMS

Photos: Hidden gems at Art & Big Fork Festival

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Mako Ichikawa and her husband, Ken Friedenberg, head to the Amazon rainforest every year to pick up fallen seeds from Tagua palm trees. Each seed is then hand sliced to the desired shape and size by Friedenberg, and the white powder left from the slice is fed to birds. After being dyed, each piece is assembled by hand, becoming a unique La Tagua jewelry piece.

For 29 years, Ichikawa and Friedenberg have been following this process, which was started as an eco-friendly alternative to expensive pre-Columbian gold jewelry. The products can substitute for ivory and cow horn, helping to mitigate animal poaching.

La Tagua is one of 150 artist stalls at the Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival this weekend in downtown Evanston. The festival, continuing Sunday, features paintings, sculpture, jewelry, mixed media, photography, food trucks, live music, face painting and more. Check out photos from the festival on Saturday below.

Mako Ichikawa said she and her husband, Ken Friedenberg, go to the Amazon rainforest every year to pick up Tagua palm nuts that they turn into jewelry.
Mako Ichikawa said she and her husband, Ken Friedenberg, go to the Amazon rainforest every year to pick up Tagua palm nuts that they turn into jewelry.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Colombian-born sculptor Ancizar Marin said his artworks are inspired by the concept of “goal-achieving.” Fiberglass, volcanic ash and motocycle paint are used to make the pieces, he said.
Colombian-born sculptor Ancizar Marin said his artworks are inspired by the concept of “goal-achieving.” Fiberglass, volcanic ash and motocycle paint are used to make the pieces, he said.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Northwestern rising senior Aidan Klineman said he stumbled across the event with his friend on a Target run. He said he was browsing Igor Menaker’s architectural photograph collections for dorm decor.
Northwestern rising senior Aidan Klineman said he stumbled across the event with his friend on a Target run. He said he was browsing Igor Menaker’s architectural photograph collections for dorm decor.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
None of Heather Hambrecht’s handmade leather bags are the same.
None of Heather Hambrecht’s handmade leather bags are the same.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
A surreal ceramic avocado on display at Ficus Ceramica, a porcelain slipcasting studio owned by Kate Clarke, who is based in New Orleans.
A surreal ceramic avocado on display at Ficus Ceramica, a porcelain slipcasting studio owned by Kate Clarke, who is based in New Orleans.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Evan Britchkow said he was in Evanston visiting family. Rosa Chavez’s artworks were his “favorite one yet.”
Evan Britchkow said he was in Evanston visiting family. Rosa Chavez’s artworks were his “favorite one yet.”Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Passersby check out Peter Rujawa’s stone sculptures made out of serpentine stone. All are tribal art named after his Shona tribe of Zimbabwe.
Passersby check out Peter Rujawa’s stone sculptures made out of serpentine stone. All are tribal art named after his Shona tribe of Zimbabwe.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Luba Abramov said she spends hours picking “bags and bags” of sea glass at the beach for her art.
Luba Abramov said she spends hours picking “bags and bags” of sea glass at the beach for her art.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Rob O’Brien browses through Chinese paintings on silk by Yuemin Xin. O’Brien said Xin has the same Chinese name as her daughter.
Rob O’Brien browses through Chinese paintings on silk by Yuemin Xin. O’Brien said Xin has the same Chinese name as her daughter.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Handmade magnetic bookmarks made by Elizabeth and Robert Fontenot on display.
Handmade magnetic bookmarks made by Elizabeth and Robert Fontenot on display.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Lauren Mosele, who came with her mom, searches through artworks to help decorate her classroom. It will be her first year as a teacher this academic year.
Lauren Mosele, who came with her mom, searches through artworks to help decorate her classroom. It will be her first year as a teacher this academic year.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Attendee Karl Remien appreciates a large landscape photograph.
Attendee Karl Remien appreciates a large landscape photograph.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
May Xiong crafts each air-dry clay piece petal by petal. The material allows her to preserve the permanence of nature.
May Xiong crafts each air-dry clay piece petal by petal. The material allows her to preserve the permanence of nature.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Marla Abramson takes time perusing vintage clothing pieces from Stephanie Nugent, owner of indyvin.
Marla Abramson takes time perusing vintage clothing pieces from Stephanie Nugent, owner of indyvin.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable
Cindy Wright-Smith, who was working on a portraiture piece by her stall, pauses to talk with a curious festival attendee.
Cindy Wright-Smith, who was working on a portraiture piece by her stall, pauses to talk with a curious festival attendee.Ruixin Zhang / Evanston RoundTable