Arlington Heights honors presidential portrait artist Chambers
The Arlington Heights Arts Commission recently honored local portrait artist William Chambers as the 2015 winner of the commission's fifth annual Cultural Arts Award. Chambers was presented with the award during the village board meeting on Monday, Dec. 21, at the Arlington Heights village hall.
The award was given in recognition for Chambers' substantial and exceptional portrait paintings and the many ways he has given back to the community. His works are featured in public and private collections throughout the United States. His commissions include portraits of Illinois Governors James R. Thompson and Jim Edgar, and most recently, President Bill Clinton as well as numerous CEOs and Fortune 500 corporate figures.
Prior to his career as a portrait painter, Chambers was a successful illustrator and often exhibited in the prestigious Annual of the New York Society of Illustrators.
His awards from the International Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition include the Grand Prize and the Peoples' Choice Award in 1999. In that same competition in 2008, he placed in the top 10 out of 1,300 entries.
For the last three years he has been selected by The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library to paint portraits of Bill Clinton and Steven Spielberg for the Abraham Lincoln Leadership Award. For last year's award, he painted a group portrait of "The Little Rock Nine." All three portraits are part of the library's permanent collection in Springfield.
Over the years, Bill Chambers has given back to the community as well. He's been a faithful server at Our Lady of the Wayside PADS center and often provides artistic support to various organizations within the village.
In presenting the award, Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said, "Congratulations, Bill for not just your art work but for all of your volunteer work in the community. You're a great example for others to follow. We appreciate all the efforts of our Arts Commission and our artists within Arlington Heights and all who contribute to our cultural diversity. Bill Chambers is no stranger to that."
Chambers thanked the Arts Commission and stated, "I'm honored to be the recipient of this award. I've known gentlemen in the past who I respect who have been recipients. But I'm also proud to be a resident of Arlington Heights. It's a great town."
The annual Village of Arlington Heights Cultural Arts award is based on a candidate's past or present relationship with the Arlington Heights Community; his or her resume; accomplished local and regional artistic achievements and in some instances national and international.
To nominate a candidate for the 2016 Cultural Arts Award, contact Arts Commission liaison, Derek Mach at dmach@vah.com or call (847) 368-5232.
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