What Happens When Artists Take Over Phase Three?
- John E. Streetz
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Saturday, June 27, 2026
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Phase Three Brewing
932 Donata Court
Lake Zurich, Illinois
by John E. Streetz
What happens when you combine over thirty talented artists, a brewery known for exceptional beer, a kitchen serving up delicious food, a stack of vinyl records, fantasy novels, tarot readings, handcrafted goods, and a little midsummer magic?
We're about to find out.
On Saturday, June 27th, the Streetz Artz Alliance returns to Phase Three Brewing with the Midsummer Artisan Market, an event that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, community, and all of the unexpected discoveries that happen when artists gather under one roof.
Actually, this year they won't all be under one roof.
For the first time at this location, we'll be expanding beyond the brewery walls and bringing a select group of artists outdoors as well. Visitors will be able to wander between indoor and outdoor artists, explore dozens of unique booths, sip a beer, grab lunch, crack open a geode, discover a new favorite artist, find the perfect gift, or simply spend a summer afternoon surrounded by creativity.
The Midsummer Artisan Market wasn't originally supposed to be a summer event at all.
Earlier this year, this show was planned as a spring market. After a scheduling conflict forced us to move the date, we decided not to fight it. Instead, we embraced the season and transformed the event into something that felt right for late June. The result is a market inspired by the spirit of midsummer—full of art, imagination, nature, fantasy, community, and a little bit of magic.
That theme couldn't have found a better home than Phase Three Brewing.
Over the last several years, Phase Three has become one of our favorite brewery partners. Together we've hosted everything from the Be Mine Bazaar and Winterhaus Holiday Market to Fright Market at Camp Lake Zurich. Every time we return, the brewery's welcoming atmosphere, incredible beer selection, and growing food menu create the perfect backdrop for artists and patrons alike.
This year's event may be our most eclectic yet.
One of the artists I am personally most excited about is AR1588, the artistic project of Alycia Rosemin.
Alycia's participation is special for me because it connects directly to the history of Streetz Artz Alliance. Back in 2017, before Streetz Artz Alliance existed in its current form, Stephanie Wheatley and I organized our very first artisan market at Metal Monkey Brewing. Alycia was one of the artists in that first event. Since then, her work has been exhibited throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond, and her distinctive abstract and mixed-media paintings have earned a devoted following.
I may be a little biased because I own several pieces of her artwork myself.
As Alycia explains, "I started painting in 2015. Couldn't hold a pencil or needle nose with seven stitches in my finger, a paint brush was all I could manage to hold so I ran with it. Next thing I knew I was showing in Chicago, Wisconsin and the east coast. I make it personal when it comes to the canvas, from pushing to pulling paint. Layer over layer it ends up teaching me when to let things go and when to keep going. Life's a trip, painting is my means of transportation."
We're thrilled to have her back at one of our events.
Belonio Doodles returns as another artist many attendees will recognize. Known for his playful illustrations, comic-inspired artwork, and Chicago-themed doodles, Belonio has been featured in Chicago Magazine, Downers Grove Magazine, Fox News Chicago, WGN Morning News, and numerous other media outlets. He has created logos for schools, businesses, and sports organizations and has become one of the most recognizable artists in our events.
His artwork combines humor, nostalgia, and pop culture in a way that almost always leaves people smiling.
For music lovers and vinyl collectors, Roczilla Records will be making their debut at Phase Three Brewing.
This will be the first time we've had a dedicated vinyl vendor at this particular event, and they're bringing a large collection of new and used records. Roczilla has built a strong reputation throughout the Chicago suburban and Northern Illinois music community for their carefully curated selection of records spanning classic rock, modern releases, collector favorites, and hidden gems.
If you're the type of person who can spend an hour digging through crates searching for the perfect album, you'll definitely want to stop by their booth.
Another artist bringing something truly unique is Reflections with Kate.
Katherine Einhorn is a multimedia artist whose work centers around trees, nature, crystal art, and vibrant rainbow-inspired designs. She creates crystal trees, pyrography, canvas art, dreamcatchers, suncatchers, flower crowns, bracelets, and more. One of the things that makes her booth particularly interesting is that nearly everything can be customized.
She also teaches art classes throughout the Chicagoland area and regularly appears at events across the region.
For visitors looking for a little extra midsummer magic, Primtentions should be near the top of your list.
Created by Navy Veteran Jeannette, Primtentions grew out of a personal healing journey and now focuses on intention-based creations, crystals, candles, and energy-focused artwork. Their booth will feature crystal bead bracelets, wire-wrapped jewelry, intention candles, crystal art, and other unique creations.
Perhaps the most exciting part?
They're planning to crack geodes live during the event.
There's something unexpectedly satisfying about breaking open a plain-looking rock and discovering the crystal formations hidden inside. Whether you're a crystal enthusiast or simply curious, it's a fun and interactive experience that fits perfectly with the midsummer theme.
Speaking of midsummer magic, Melanie Klegerman Fersko may be one of the most on-theme artists in the entire event.
Melanie is both an artist and author whose work focuses heavily on fantasy themes, faeries, magical worlds, and imaginative storytelling. She is the author and illustrator of The Lost Book of Faerie Magic as well as the fully illustrated Aeaura Saga trilogy. Alongside her books and artwork, she also creates handmade jewelry, bookmarks, keychains, and accessories inspired by her artistic designs.
If midsummer folklore and faerie tales are your thing, her booth is a must-visit.
Kulay Illustrations continues to impress audiences with creature-focused artwork featuring everything from dragons to capybaras. Artist Alexis Abesamis-Appl has recently found tremendous success creating hand-painted Pokémon card alters, and visitors may even get the chance to see live painting demonstrations during the event.
Left to right: Work in progress Pokemon card alter from Kulay Illustrations, a previous display showing some of the Pokemon alters from the same artist
Another unique offering comes from Angelic Celestial Whispers.
Ren Simon is a third-generation Evidential Spiritual Medium who will be offering tarot readings and mediumship services during the event. As the sole tarot reader participating in the market, visitors interested in receiving guidance, insight, or simply experiencing something different will want to stop by and see what special event offerings are available.
We're also excited to welcome A Smalltown Baroness to Phase Three Brewing for the first time.
This Mundelein-based artist specializes in giving forgotten materials a second life. Through upcycling baskets, fabrics, ribbons, and yarn, they create beautiful decorative baskets, braided rugs, wall hangings, and other home décor pieces. Their work has appeared at prestigious events including the One of a Kind Show, making their debut at Phase Three Brewing especially exciting.
Beyond these featured artists, visitors will discover an incredible lineup of talented creators throughout the brewery.
Current participating artists include:
A Smalltown Baroness
Amanda's Customs
Angelic Celestial Whispers
AR1588
Bea-Hooked
Belonio Doodles
BlackCraft Arts
Boho Living
Bookish Business
Burn This Candle
Crafted Laserworks
Critter Conscious
DK Custom Woodwork Co.
EZ Angel Creations
Gigawatt Coffee Roasters
izziebeescraftsandprints
Jen Watson Art
KP's Candy Factory
Kulay Illustrations
megandowntherabbithole
Melanie Klegerman Fersko – Author and Artist
Primtentions
Reflections with Kate
Roczilla Records
Sew-Kerry Embroidered Creations
Snowingstars
The Daydreamers Shop
Wanna Pickle Gourmet Foods
Westport Charm Handmade Jewelry
Wolf Den Gaming
...More to be added as we get closer
Of course, no visit to Phase Three Brewing would be complete without enjoying what the brewery itself has to offer.
Their rotating draft lineup regularly includes hazy IPAs, West Coast IPAs, lagers, wheat beers, fruited sours, stouts, seasonal releases, and hard seltzers. The brewery's kitchen has also significantly expanded its food offerings and currently features favorites such as Pulled Chicken Nachos, Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites, Brisket Grilled Cheese, French Onion Dippers, Chopped Italian sandwiches, Truffalo Chicken Wraps, Gochujang Grilled Cheese sandwiches, Vegetarian Tortas, Beer Mac & Cheese, and more.
Their creative Dirty Soda Pop Shop beverages have also become a favorite among patrons, combining seltzers with specialty syrups, sodas, ice cream, whipped cream, and other fun ingredients to create unique summertime drinks.
While the lineup is already incredibly strong, we still have a limited number of spaces available and are actively seeking artists who bring something different to the event. We'd especially love to hear from makers working in pottery, stained glass, metalwork, leather goods, bath and body products, soaps, pet products, plants and succulents, specialty baked goods, weaving, quilting, photography, handcrafted apparel, or any other unique category not already represented.
If you're an artist and don't see your craft represented, we'd love to hear from you.
The Midsummer Artisan Market takes place Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Phase Three Brewing, 932 Donata Court in Lake Zurich.
The event is free to attend, family friendly, and no tickets are required. Plenty of nearby parking is available.
Because food is served inside the brewery, pets are not permitted indoors. Pets are welcome on the outdoor beer garden patio, and service animals are permitted inside.
For event details, visit:
Artists interested in applying can do so here:
To learn more about Streetz Artz Alliance and future events, visit:
Come sip and shop with us! Here are some other pictures from artists.
