Artwork featured in empty Hoffman Estates storefronts

Three shopping centers in the Village of Hoffman Estates are currently displaying artwork by student from Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 and from Northwest Suburban High School District 214.

The artwork includes paintings, sculptures and photography. Art teachers from the schools took photos of the artwork, and the images were transferred to large vinyl sheets and hung by a local sign company in vacant storefronts.

The works are at Fountain Crossing at Barrington Road and Lakewood Boulevard, Hoffman Plaza on the east side of Roselle Road between Golf and Higgins roads, and Golf Center on the west side of Roselle Road between Golf and Higgins roads.

Three groups benefit from this new initiative:

Ÿ Schools: talented student artists get exposure and recognition for their art and for their school. The public can purchase an 8- by 10-inch print for $30 from Divine Signs. The money from the sale of the artwork goes into a student art scholarship, less production and handling costs.

Ÿ Shopping centers: beautiful artwork, which is lighted in the early evening at Hoffman Plaza and Golf Center, is featured in vacant storefront windows instead of a dark and empty space. Plus, relatives of student artists coming to view the artwork may shop.

Ÿ Customers: the hidden talent of the youth in the community is on display. Customers don’t need to spend a day in Chicago to appreciate art — they can experience it on their way to pick up eggs and ice cream. As one customer recently said, “This is great for the stores. Art makes me happy, and I like to shop when I’m happy.”

If you would like to see student artwork in your shopping center, ask the center management to contact the village’s Economic Development Division at (847) 781-2662.