St. Charles organizations to host inaugural 'Celebrating Veterans Through Art' Nov. 7-14
The St. Charles Arts Council, American Legion Post 342, AMVETS Post 503, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5036, Community Unit District 303, and People for the Arts/East High School announce the inaugural "Celebrating Veterans Through Art" event. It runs from Saturday, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 14 and will feature concerts, an art gallery, a public art installation project, veteran interview videos, and more.
All veterans served our country, whether or not they fought in a war, were drafted, or volunteered. That service deserves our respect and admiration. It also demands that those of us who benefited from that service learn about it, and art plays a crucial role in that education. Art shares veterans' stories of service and sacrifice. Artists are a voice for veterans and provide us all with vehicles for remembrance. The purpose of the event is to give veterans an opportunity to tell their stories of service through the arts - the written and spoken word, visual art and video, and the performing arts - and to give the community a chance to learn more about veterans and their experiences through art.
The St. Charles Arts Council is asking veteran and civilian artist to submit work for the event, which includes a neXt gallery, open from Nov. 7-29, and an artist reception on Saturday, Nov. 7. One hundred percent of the selling price of the work goes to the artist. The galleries are actively promoted in social and print media, and the artwork is insured.
Entries for the gallery can be in any style or medium of visual art, as well as video. Visit www.StCharlesArtsCouncil.org for complete details.
The pop-up gallery is juried with the theme "Stories." Jury fee is $20 and is waived for veterans and for St. Charles Arts Council members. Each piece of art submitted to the gallery must include an artist statement. The artwork does not have to be about war, veterans, service, etc. It must, however, have an artist statement that "tells the story" of the piece, in keeping with the purpose of the event. Deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12.
If you wish to submit an entry, send via email .jpeg images of the artwork that you would like to enter in the gallery/show. Only emailed entries will be accepted. Each image should be 500 KB or less. Any questions about or help with this requirement, please contact the arts council at (630) 443-3794 or ArtistLiaison@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org.
The gallery will be staffed by volunteers and artists. It is not mandatory for artists to staff the gallery, but it is strongly encouraged. The artwork will be in the gallery on consignment. The artist exhibition fee is $40. Exhibition fee will be waived for veterans/active duty servicemen, with proof of service. The St. Charles Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) public charity, and cannot take a commission on artwork sold. The artist will receive 100 percent of the selling price of their work. Illinois state sales tax will be collected, and will be the responsibility of the artist to pay to the state. The arts council has liability insurance to cover the insurance value of the art in the gallery. All artwork must be ready to hang/install. Sculpture pedestals/stands must be provided by the artist. All artwork must be for sale. Delivery and pickup of the artwork will be the artist's responsibility.
There is a comprehensive promotional plan for the event and the gallery that includes a P.R. campaign, a social media campaign, and cross promotional opportunities with local retailers, restaurants, and arts organizations/businesses. Visit neXtgalleryStCharles.org. More information about "Celebrating Veterans Through Art" is on the website. All artists in the show will be included on the neXt gallery website and each artist's name will link to the artists' website or other electronic site.
The St. Charles Arts Council is a 501(c)(3), registered nonprofit Illinois corporation whose mission is to create an organization that serves and promotes the arts and cultural activities in St. Charles, to the mutual benefit of the arts and the community. The arts council is staffed entirely by volunteers. Contact (630) 443-3794 or info@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org.
St. Charles, located in both DuPage and Kane County, is 35 miles west of downtown Chicago. Over 2,100 businesses employ over 34,200 people, consisting of a balanced mix of retailers, restaurants, and manufacturing facilities. The city of St. Charles was recently named one of the "150 Great Places in Illinois" for the combined architectural work of the City Municipal Center, the Main Street Bridge, and the historic Hotel Baker.
The city's recently completed 2014 strategic plan includes the following action plan: Market and promote St. Charles as a friendly, appealing destination, characterized by activities, events, arts, and culture. Capitalize on artistic and cultural resources by supporting local talent and lively venues and activities. Encourage collective civic endeavors to broaden the variety of attractions and events.