West Chicago preparing for 2015 banner contest
The outdoor gallery created by the 12 original banners displayed from May through September on Main Street in West Chicago for the community's annual Banner Art Project captured the attention of downtown visitors and sparked enthusiasm for the project.
One eye-catching banner in particular, created by Elgin artist and Gallery 200 member nicknamed jrr, was chosen as the 2014 People's Choice winner.
Going For It (Cycle Moon) originally was created as a mixed media piece - chalk, ink and collage on paper. Jrr, one of two artists who make up First Star Art, later developed the work into an acrylic painting on canvas called "Cycle," which has since been sold to a private collector.
A photographic image of Going For It (Cycle Moon) was transferred to the 30-by-60-inch vinyl banner and displayed for the five-month period in historic downtown West Chicago.
The banner's vibrant color palette and whimsical interpretation of the theme (Bi)Cycle of Life, chosen by the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, collected the most votes of all who participated in the People's Choice Award voting.
Artist jrr said her motivation in creating Going For It (Cycle Moon) was simple: "I was thinking of hopes, ambitions and dreams coming true with effort, hard work - with action - putting 'one's back into it,' so to speak."
Earlier this year, the commission announced details for the 2015 project, and encouraged emerging and accomplished artists to get involved by submitting up to three .jpg images at 72 ppi. There is still time to enter.
All files should be numbered and named with the artist's last name and first name. All media are welcome, with no limitation to technique or subject matter, as long as the theme revolves around "A Picture of Health," which is a direct tie-in with the citywide wellness initiative, Healthy West Chicago.
An independent juror not affiliated with the city of West Chicago or the Cultural Arts Commission will select the works of art anonymously.
The chosen artwork will be transferred to vinyl banners that will be placed on street poles along Main Street in downtown West Chicago from May through September 2015, creating a vibrant display of public art for residents and visitors to the community.
The commission hosts an artists' reception, produces a walking tour guide that maps the location of each banner and sponsors a People's Choice Award for all banners selected.
Next year the winner of the People's Choice Award will be presented with their banner as their award at the conclusion of the display.
The deadline for art submissions is Dec. 12. This is earlier than in the past, and organizers are hoping for a healthy number of entries and a bigger display for next year.
The online submission form is available at www.westchicago.org under Residents/Forms. Anyone living in the region is invited to apply. For questions about the 2015 Banner Art Project, contact the West Chicago City Museum at (630) 231-3376 or museum@westchicago.org.