08/23/2026
A Day We Will Never Forget
Gurnee Art Festival
We truly don’t have enough words to describe how amazing our day at the Gurnee Art Festival was! ❤️🎨
Ksenia was chosen as one of only 20 artists to showcase her art at the festival. It was such a special experience to be surrounded by a small group of truly sophisticated and talented artists.
The beautiful setting around Gurnee Community Church, the convenient parking, and the excellent organization made everything so easy for the artists. Setting up the tent, bringing the artwork, tables, chairs, and everything else is usually the hardest part, but this time the organization was absolutely wonderful.
Of all the people walking around the tents, it felt like 98% of them stopped to say hello to Ksenia, encourage her, and wish her the best. One lady was so touched by Ksenia’s artwork that she hugged her. ❤️ I will share that beautiful picture later.
The organizers and members of the City of Gurnee also stopped by to see Ksenia’s work and share their impressions.
But some of the most special memories will be the conversations with other artists. Several artists carefully looked at Ksenia’s work and encouraged her with such beautiful words:
“One day, you will be a great artist. Keep going.”
One very dear lady , the artist, Renee, bought Ksenia’s picture “Fr. Philotei’s Garden.” We shared the story behind the artwork—how it was inspired by Fr. Philotei’s garden and his love and care for us.
She explained that although Ksenia’s work is created with markers and, to the untrained eye, might look like typical children’s artwork, Ksenia has something very rare—even something difficult for many older artists to achieve: perspective, depth, space, and delicate lines. She even compared some of Ksenia’s work to Van Gogh.
She pointed to Ksenia’s lines and said again:
“You will be a great artist one day.”
She also told me that my role as Ksenia’s mother is simply to help her understand that art is part of her life and to encourage her to follow the talent that God gave her. Those words touched my heart deeply. ❤️
Even some parents of my music students came to visit us and show their support. We felt surrounded by wonderful people and amazing artists.
By the end of the day, it was honestly hard to say goodbye—not because of sales, but because there was so much to talk about, share, discuss, and learn from one another.
Dandelion Gallery in Waukegan even invited Ksenia to have a regular exhibition there whenever she feels ready. 🎨
My dear friend Janelle Rominski , who works with public communications and business networks for the City of Gurnee, also gifted Ksenia with a short photo session. What a beautiful surprise! ❤️
Thank you, Gurnee Art Commission, for creating such a beautiful day and giving Ksenia this wonderful opportunity!
And this is only the beginning. ✨
Ksenia will also perform and showcase her artwork at the Russian Ann Arbor Festival in Michigan. She is planning to create a collection of St. Seraphim graphic artworks, cards, and other pieces. If she receives the blessing to do so, all donations will be sent directly through Zelle to support the new church very close to our home , Mission of St. Faith, Love, Hope, and Their Mother Sophia.
A day filled with art, kindness, encouragement, faith, and beautiful people.
We are so grateful. ❤️🎨✨
