Elmhurst residents find new ways to bring art and culture to the city

By Anna Hughes

There’s always something to do in Elmhurst.

There are phenomenal food and drink options, abundant shopping opportunities, and a range of community events spanning interests and age levels.

But there’s always room for more: more music, more art, and more culture.

Elmhurst residents (and longtime friends) James Kruml and Sergio Farfán are bringing exactly that to the community.

Kruml, an entrepreneur with a hands-on, creative approach, moved from Chicago to Elmhurst four years ago with his wife, Liz. He oversees brand marketing and sales for RoboToaster, a content creation house he co-founded while actively working as their director of photography. Farfán is an artist and muralist who also owns an art direction company, Rozes Creatives. He’s been searching for ways to enhance the art scene in Elmhurst since he moved here in 2019.

Both have witnessed firsthand how powerful and transformative art can be in a community, and they had a desire to bring the vibrant art scene they admired in Chicago and other places to their hometown. So, they formed the Elmhurst Art Collective. Their mission is to bring artists, music, and art experiences to Elmhurst by attracting visitors through events, installations, and brand partnerships.

“Elmhurst is fortunate to have an art museum, but there’s potential to beautify the town further with murals and other art forms,” Kruml said. “Our goal is to curate exceptional art experiences that benefit the city and its residents. With Elmhurst’s growing population and the influx of newcomers from larger cities, there’s a fantastic opportunity to offer unique artistic experiences.”

Farfán added that the presence of a contemporary art museum indicates a genuine interest in the arts among local residents. This, along with the receptive and supportive attitude of the community, is ideal for the art initiatives they envision.

Their inaugural event, “Artist Walls,” took place on June 30 at The Vyne of Haven, with support from The Club Shot and its beer garden. The event featured live painting by four artists – AJ Ainscough, Oscar Joyo, Andrew Jesernig, Shayne Taylor – and attracted a diverse crowd. Kruml said the event was a great success, and Farfán agreed, saying it exceeded expectations.

“Providing a platform for local artists fosters connections and learning opportunities,” Farfán said. “As an artist, I’ve benefited immensely from interacting with artists from different regions. Collaboration and shared experiences are crucial for artistic growth.”

For future events, they aim to feature both established and emerging artists. In past curations, Farfán said he has always included a mix to expose up-and-coming artists to larger audiences. The Elmhurst Art Collective will be the ideal opportunity for these artists to share their work with new eyes and potential clientele.

Their goal for the Elmhurst Art Collective goes beyond business; it’s about passion, culture, and inspiration.

“My passion stems from the lack of artistic exposure I experienced growing up,” Farfán recalled. “As a child who loved art, I had limited access beyond school art classes. I want to inspire the new generation by showing that an artistic career is attainable and worthwhile. Witnessing a thriving community of artists would have significantly impacted my career aspirations.”

With the support of local business owners and City Hall, they have big plans to develop a vibrant art district featuring murals and galleries. Their next venture into the community will be a gallery show in a vacant downtown storefront, showcasing the work of 10-20 artists across various mediums. Through this and all of their future work, they aim to curate thoughtful and unique experiences while fostering a positive connection to art.

Founders of the Elmhurst Art Collective James Kruml (top) and Sergio Farfán (bottom)

The group’s inaugural event, “Artist Walls,” took place in late June at The Vyne of Haven and featured artists Oscar Joyo (top) and Shayne Taylor (above).