Mary Lynn Polano presents her exhibit A Teddy Bear Christmas at Artists on Elgin for the month of December.
The opening reception takes place Dec. 3 from 1-4 p.m.
A Teddy Bear Christmas showcases the whimsy and skill of Polano in handmade bears, bunnies and other characters fashioned from previously loved fur coats.
Her creations take about 40 hours to bring to life. From choosing the fabrics and the pattern, to giving the bears moveable limbs and dressing them up, each stage contributes to the development of the furry companion’s character.
“Each bear comes into existence, during its creation, with its own unique personality,” Polano said. “While I imagine the general end result of each bear, it is the bear itself who shows me his or her personality.”
Polano lives in Lively. She grew up watching the generations of women in her family create various arts and crafts and learned to sew as a young child. Creating handmade, one-of-a-kind toys provides her a retreat from a hectic world. Polano is member of Artists on Elgin.
Artists on Elgin is located at 168 Elgin Street, and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
