Call for submissions for West Chicago's 2020 Public Art Banner exhibit
Home, there's no place like it, and the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission hopes the chosen theme evokes emotion and inspires creative expression for the concept, physical structure and/or the larger community in which the artist feels a sense of belonging.
"Home is the place where the heart resides or longs to reside," said Rosemary Mackey, cultural arts commission staff liaison. "Home is a set place for some or a journey for others. Either way, our home contributes to who we are, and the commission is eager to see how this theme resonates with area artists."
All media are welcome, with no limitation to technique or subject matter, as long as it relates to the theme. Each selected design will be reproduced, at the commission's expense, on vinyl street banners which are 60 inches tall and 30 inches wide. Artists selected will receive credit on both the banner and in printed materials related to the exhibit. Additionally, they may submit a brief statement about their inspiration for inclusion in publicity materials.
Banners will hang on Main and West Washington streets in downtown West Chicago from May to September 2020.
A reception honoring the chosen artists will take place during the city's annual Blooming Fest on May 2020.
The original artwork selected for the banner exhibit may also be featured in a City Museum exhibit which will run May to August 2020, giving the artwork greater exposure.
The banners must measure 60 inches high by 30 inches wide, with text, image field measuring approximately: 42 inches high by 30 inches wide.
Before submitting, applicants should make sure that the artwork is reproducible at the specified dimensions and at an adequate resolution, as no exceptions to these specifications will be made, in order to ensure the quality and integrity of the entire exhibit.
The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission will work with artists to obtain proper file sizes for reproduction once juried into the exhibit. However, all submissions should reflect the size specifications in order to be considered.
A submission entry must be comprised of up to 3 JPEG images at 72 dpi measuring 7 inches high by 5 inches wide. All files should be numbered and named with the artist's last name and first name (Ex.: 01Lastname_Firstname.jpg) and submitted via an online form. All entries must be original and created within two years of entry date.
Entries must be received by Feb. 1, 2020.
Judging of submissions will be based on JPEG files only. These files submitted must represent actual work. Submitted and accepted artwork will not be used for any other purpose. An independent juror not affiliated with the City of West Chicago or the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission will select the winning artworks anonymously. The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission reserves the right to refuse to exhibit any work it deems unacceptable due to a significant departure from JPEG representation or inappropriate content.
The exhibition runs from May to September 2020. A reception honoring the selected artists will take place during the annual Blooming Fest on May 2020. At this time, the general public will be invited to vote for an artist/banner to receive the People's Choice Award. The winner of the People's Choice Award will receive their banner free of charge. All other banners may be sold, with the artist receiving the first right of refusal, and proceeds will be used for future art programming.
By submitting artwork for consideration, the artist acknowledges and agrees to the terms of the city's standard photographic waiver, which gives the city permission to use its image for publicity purposes. The waiver can be found at www.westchicago.org.