Soft pastel artist and instructor Tiffani Williams has been selected as one of just 20 artists participating in the inaugural Gurnee Arts Festival on the Plaza, taking place Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Welton Plaza, 4343 Old Grand Avenue in Gurnee.
Williams will exhibit a selection of original soft pastel paintings along with a collection of framed and unframed fine art prints. Festival visitors will also have the opportunity to watch her create artwork during a live soft pastel demonstration at 2:00 p.m. in the festival’s demonstration tent.
“I’m honored to be one of the artists selected for Gurnee’s first Arts Festival on the Plaza,” Williams said. “Soft pastel is such a vibrant and expressive medium, and I’m excited to share the process with visitors who may never have seen a pastel painting created in person.”
Hosted by the Gurnee Arts Commission, the free outdoor festival will celebrate local creativity through original artwork, live entertainment, interactive art experiences and food vendors.
Williams is a soft pastel artist, instructor, and founder of The Pastel Growth Studio, a guided online learning community that helps pastel artists strengthen their skills and paint with greater confidence. She also teaches pastel classes at the Antioch Art Center and exhibits her paintings in various exhibitions and local galleries. Her work is known for its expressive mark-making, rich color and emphasis on light, atmosphere and emotion.
Admission to the Gurnee Arts Festival on the Plaza is free.
Event Details
Gurnee Arts Festival on the Plaza
Saturday, August 22, 2026
11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Welton Plaza
4343 Old Grand Avenue
Gurnee, Illinois 60031
Tiffani Williams Soft Pastel Demonstration: 2:00 p.m. in the demonstration tent
For additional event information, visit the Visit Lake County website.