Anthony Park Kascak (he/him) is a first generation Korean-American with a BFA in Art Practices and BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder, and an MFA from the University of Arkansas. He has attended residencies and exhibited work in Germany, China, South Korea, and around the United States. Anthony is currently an artist in residence at Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago, IL. His work examines the disorientation of cultural hybridity through narrative vessels, sculptures of dogs, and a reconsideration of historical ceramic forms.

anthonypkascak.com

@anthonykascak_

Aneliya Chalakova is a Chicago-based mixed-media artist specializing in painting, ink work, linogravures, and vibrant tapestries. Her artistic journey began in Bulgaria during her seventh grade, leading to five years of extensive training at the “Dimitar Dobrovich” Fine Art School for Applied Arts, where she acquired skills in contemporary weaving, composition, natural yarn dyeing, and large vertical loom weaving. She later pursued Communication Design at Harrington College of Design in Chicago.

With over 15 years of experience, Aneliya is deeply passionate about creating and facilitating art that celebrates nature, diversity, culture, and collaboration. Her extensive background has equipped her with a versatile skill set and a mature artistic vision that aligns with her core values.

Aneliya’s work often explores themes of human connection, environmental awareness, and mindful parenting. She draws inspiration from nature, contemporary art, her personal experiences, and parenthood. Her distinctive approach to contemporary weaving is particularly evident in her later works.

She has participated in numerous group exhibitions, art fairs, and events. She is a member of Bulgarian Artists Abroad. As a teaching artist, Aneliya has partnered with institutions such as the Adler Planetarium Chicago, Columbia College, Menomonee Club, and various schools and organizations throughout Chicago.

Beyond her individual practice, Aneliya is a mother to two boys, aged eight and two, and enjoys volunteering at the Waters Elementary School community garden. She and her husband own Woboh, an art gifts and collectibles shop in Chicago. Their mission is to offer a curated selection of unique, handmade treasures that inspire joy and connection for art lovers, gift seekers, and collectors. Woboh features exquisite pottery, stunning bronze and brass pieces, captivating carvings, posters, and cherished antiques, all thoughtfully chosen to reflect artistry and sustainability. They are dedicated to supporting eco-friendly practices and local artisans, believing that each purchase should not only bring beauty into one’s life but also contribute to a healthier planet.

Aneliya is currently developing a series of contemporary tapestries woven from natural materials. Through her work, she aims to plant the seeds for a better humanity, a cleaner planet, and more mindful parents.

https://www.bulgarianartabroad.com/aneliya-chalakova

@aneliya_chalakova

Lydia Cash is a multidisciplinary artist based in Chicago. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Lydia moved to Chicago in 2013 after earning a BA in Fine Art and Music from Auburn University.

Lydia’s painting practice is driven by a commitment to exploration, intuition, and emotional expression. Working primarily in abstraction, she focuses on creating unexpected color relationships, playful and instinctive mark-making, and compositions that evolve through a process of discovery. Her approach is shaped in part by her personal experience with OCD and a longstanding desire to create from a place of freedom and self-trust.

In 2016, Lydia left a career in graphic design to pursue painting full time. Since then, she has built a sustainable studio practice while navigating the business side of art as a working professional. As both a painter and singer/songwriter, she is deeply interested in the ways we connect through creative expression, and how vulnerability in art can make space for others to feel seen and understood. She remains dedicated to growing her practice through experimentation, community, and a continued belief in the transformative power of creativity.

www.lydiastudio.com

@lydiastudio

Aaron Eskridge is a recent B.F.A. ceramics graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso. He grew up in El Paso, a border town adjacent to Juarez, Mexico, and has spent much of his life traveling between these two cities to visit family. This cross-border experience has deeply influenced his artwork, allowing him to create narratives and motifs that reflect his cultural heritage and creative process. His work draws inspiration from diverse environments—from rural western lands and ranches to urban street fashion, rap culture, and contemporary art.

@nobleaaron10