artists
Austin Cantu | A Cantu -Photography
Austin Cantu is a photographer from Waukegan, Illinois. Austin is a recent graduate of Waukegan High School and the head organizer of ArtPark -Waukegan. His work primarily focuses on capturing Waukegan in the present day and emphasizing the things that aren't normally spotted. Although having Waukegan as the primary focus he does have work from Chicago, New York City, and Laredo, Texas. Austin has been apart of the ArtPark team since 2016.
Jessica Méndez | Mend Easy
Jessica Méndez is an artist and creative individual from Waukegan, Illinois. In May of 2018, Gisela completed an Associate’s Degree in Digital Media and Design from College of Lake County. Jessica's work is highly conceptual while incorporating exceptional use of technical skill. Her work spans sculpture, digital photography, graphic design, videography, embroidery, and painting. Jessica has been part of the ArtPark team since 2018.
Maritza Alis
Maritza Alis is a body artist from Waukegan, Illinois. Her work includes intricate henna tattoos, face and body painting, and beauty makeup. Maritza has been apart of the ArtPark team since 2018.
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Adam McCormack | McCormack Landscaping
Adam McCormack was born and raised in Waukegan IL. He attended Waukegan public schools his whole educational career. He’s now the owner of McCormack Landscaping. Adam uses his time to help others any way he can in and out of the landscape business. He has a wide range of expertise in landscape maintenance and garden design & maintenance. His art form is seasonal color using decorations and annual plants, and greenery throughout all four seasons.
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Gerardo Gordillo | Ravine Atelier
Gerardo Gordillo was born, raised, and currently living in Waukegan. Even though they're banned from the Facebook group with the same name. Since then they have been finding places to trust, and then try to trust it for a while. This has led them into various galleries, basements, studios, theatres, and ravines. Among pulling everything out of their mentors, they hope their colleagues to pull everything out of them. What started off as booking DIY shows in a small town bakery has lead to the discovery that people value community. They believe that the emptiness of Waukegan does us a favor, as it allows us to fill the space with anything we can imagine. They're an elected official with an interest in arts and culture. As an outsider artist with a degree in art history, they are excited to rejuvenate the downtown area with businesses that Waukegan wants. Gerardo has been apart of the ArtPark team since 2019.
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Jesus Ortega
Jesus Ortega is an aspiring traditional realist artist. He moved to Waukegan IL at a young age when his family emigrated from their hometown of Uriangato Gto, Mexico. His art primarily focuses on portraiture, figure drawing, landscape painting and the occasional pet portrait. His mediums of choice vary from chalk pastel to oil paint and charcoal / graphite. Jesus has been a part of the ArtPark team since 2020.
Josie Messner
Josie Messner is an artist you cannot forget! Josie makes the most beautiful jewelry, while also working to create safe and humane communities by inspiring positive relations between people and animals.. Josie has been a volunteer/partner of more than 6 animal-rescue based organizations. Three of those include, WAGS (Waukegan Animals Getting Save, North Chicago Animal Control, and Chicago Animal Care and Control. Josie has been a part of the ArtPark team since 2019.