South Loop Artist Exhibiting at Open Studios Event

South Loop resident, Dobrila Pintar will be part of the Open Studios event at Bridgeport Art Center October 21 – 23, 2011. The Bridgeport Art Center is located at 1200 W. 35th St. (entry at 34th Pl. and Racine).

40 Artists Open Their Studios
Dobrila is one of 40 artists opening their doors in celebration of Chicago Artist Month. The exhibition opening and reception, “Creative Cornerstones,” is Friday, October 21 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. On Saturday, October 22, there is a panel discussion on the 5th floor from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. From 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. the EastBank Building 100th Anniversary Party will feature a performance by Chicago’s own, Scarlet Monk at 9 p.m. On Sunday, October 23, Open Studio hours are 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. with an “Artful Brunch” at 12 p.m. on the 3rd floor.

Spiegel was founded in 1865.

Former Spiegel Complex
Built 100 years ago as part of the Spiegel complex, the Bridgeport Art Center is now home to over 40 artists. These artist will be opening their doors during Chicago Artist Month and hosting exhibitions, panel discussions, and music performances.

Dobrila Pintar is an artist and custom jewelry maker. She is skilled in the ancient art of lampworking. In lampworking, glass rods are heated and manipulated over a flame or torch that uses propane or natural gas mixed with oxygen. Dobrila uses this technique at her Eleven Eleven Jewelry studio to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces and glass figurines. As an Artist in Residence at LillStreet Art Center, she shares her skill and expertise, teaching students how to create beautiful artwork from glass. 

Meet Jewelry Maker and South Loop Resident, Dobrila Pintar

Dobrila Pintar

Dreaming in the South Loop

Twenty-one years ago, Dobrila Pintar came to the United States from Croatia, formerly part of Yugoslavia. She didn’t speak English, but Dobrila studied hard and learned it quickly. In her native country, Dobrila had earned an art degree with a focus on painting. Once she had settled in Chicago, specifically, the South Loop, Dobrila set about fulfilling a dream. She wants to bring more art and culture to the Southside of the city.

Jewelry Maker

About five years ago, Dobrila became interested in making jewelry. That interest lead her to rent a studio in the Bridgeport Art Center at 1200 W. 35th St. where she designs and makes original creations for her business, Eleven Eleven Jewelry. Dobrila’s jewelry work involves glass sculpting. In glass sculpting, glass rods are heated and molded. It’s a precise and painstaking process, but the results are extraordinary. By carefully heating the glass rods, you can create vibrant colors and patterns in the molded glass. Dobrila makes glass beads that are incorporated in jewelry pieces that may include silver and other metals that she forges herself.

One of Dobrila’s original pieces

Artist in Residence

Dobrila’s interest in glass work took off after she enrolled in a class at Lillstreet Art Center at 4401 N. Ravenswood Ave. Now she is a teaching artist in residence there, sharing her expertise in glass flameworking and fusing. Dobrila loves teaching students, especially teens. “My goal and dream is to show and teach students what they can do with jewelry.” Another dream she has is to see more artistic and cultural opportunities available in the South Loop. As Dobrila says, “Why should everything only be on the Northside?”