Call for Art Goes Out for 2016 Community Banner Art Project
West Chicago, Illinois: August 19, 2015 - For those who haven't gotten to see the 2015 Community Banner Art Project in downtown West Chicago, time is running out; and that, according to Rosemary Mackey of the City of West Chicago, "would be a shame to miss." The display, which is a public art project of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, is scheduled to come down in the first week of September. The theme of the sixteen original art banners depicts A Picture of Health, and coincides with the 2015 launch of the citywide Healthy West Chicago initiative.
Mayor Ruben Pineda, who is one of the champions of the Healthy West Chicago movement, views the display of banner art as a way to bring community awareness to the importance of improved nutrition and physical activity. "Our creative community has embraced the theme of health and put together a display that reinforces the message of vitality of body, mind and spirit through their art and what it depicts." The artwork is the product of community members and those with a connection to West Chicago through work or school. Also, a limited number of artists from the Chicagoland area are invited to participate each year.
Call for 2016 Art
Sandy McLain Banner Art Template.gifThis week, the new call for art has gone out for the 2016 Community Banner Art Project, and Commission members are excited about the prospect of increasing the number of banners in the exhibit for next year through the involvement of more artists. "The Commission's hope is that the chosen theme, Patterns - Patterns - Patterns, will capture the imagination and inspire a desire to participate," said Mackey. "Patterns exist literally, in found and functional objects everywhere; as well as more abstractly, in actions and behaviors. It will be very interesting to see what results in works submitted." The deadline for art is February 1, 2016.
Banner & Submission Specifications
Deadline for Art: February 1, 2016
All media are welcome for jurying, with no limitation to technique or subject matter, as long as the theme revolves around Patterns - Patterns - Patterns.
Jurying of submissions will be based on JPEG files only. JPEG files submitted must represent the actual work. The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission reserves the right to refuse to exhibit any work it deems unacceptable due to significant departure from JPEG representation or inappropriate content. 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 art works anonymously.
Each chosen design will be reproduced and featured in the 2016 West Chicago Banner Exhibition. Artists selected will receive credit on both banner and in printed materials related to the exhibition. Additionally, they will be asked to submit a brief statement about the inspiration for the select piece for press use. A reception honoring the selected artists will take place during the annual Blooming Fest on May 21, 2016. Selected artists' work will also be featured in a City Museum exhibit which will be on display May - August, 2016.
Banners measure: (h)60" x (w)30" with text, image field measures approximately: (h)42" x (w)30", (see example above right). Before submitting, please ensure that your art work is reproducible at the specified dimensions at an adequate resolution, no exceptions. The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission will work with artists to obtain proper file sizes for reproduction if selected. However, all submissions should reflect the size specifications to be considered or they will automatically be rejected. The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission is responsible for banner printing cost and banner installation.
An entry is comprised of up to 3 (three) JPEG images at 72 dpi measuring (h)7" x (w)5". All files should be numbered and named with the artist's last name and first name. Ex.: 01Lastname_Firstname.jpg and submitted via a special form at www.westchicago.org under Residents/Forms and Applications. Please note that no additional support materials will be accepted at this time. All entries must be original and executed within two years of entry date. Entries must be received by February 1, 2016. Incomplete and/or late entries will not be reviewed.
The exhibition runs from May 1 - mid-September, 2016. A reception honoring the selected artists will take place during the annual Blooming Fest on May 21, 2016. For any questions, please email Rosemary Mackey at rmackey@westchicago.org.