Park Art Center embarks on crowdfunding campaign
Park Art Center in Villa Park has launched a Generosity by Indigogo crowdfunding campaign to enable the center to continue to provide art to the greater DuPage County community of all ages and cultures.
Started three years ago, the nonprofit art center and gallery developed from the vision of several local artists and community members who share a passion for art and the creative process. Their dream to create a nonprofit community center is flourishing at Park Art Center, 9 E. Park Blvd., Villa Park. At the center, anyone from the artistically curious to the established artist can enjoy, create, study, exhibit, discuss or engage with art.
The center does not charge admission for gallery exhibits, speakers or film showings, and must rely on individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants and the new crowd funding campaign.
Park Art Center has hosted free events including speakers and films, local artists from Studio 630 and the work of photographers Vivian Maier, Paul Elledge and Marc Hauser. The current exhibit, "Local Boys Done Good: The Works of Tony Fitzpatrick and Kirk Kerndl," is a collaborative showing of Tony Fitzpatrick's etchings and Kirk Kerndl's landscape paintings.
A committed team of volunteers and community members renovated and refurbished the storefront location that serves as a gallery space and classroom for a variety of activities: oil, acrylic and watercolor painting; sculpture; mixed media; ceramics; jewelry making; and sewing.
The center is now embarking on a fundraising goal of $170,000 to:
• Solidify the current location; the center is required to sign an annual lease and have cash reserves in place to cover rent and utilities for the upcoming year.
• Secure contracts with artists with enough lead time to plan and market their exhibits, related programs, and schedule art classes.
• Cover operating expenses that keep the center running on a day-to-day basis including insurance, professional fees, art supplies, marketing costs, office expenses and costs required to maintain a website and online presence.
The center has done a lot on a shoestring, relying on the volunteer efforts of a small, dedicated team to plan, coordinate and execute programs. Volunteer time this year is expected to exceed 3,500 hours. Organizers would like to begin paying salaries for a few key positions to maintain responsibilities and the continuity of Park Art Center.
"I believe that art has the power to create beyond the sketch pad - it creates a vibrancy and sense of character for a community, encouraging creativity and collaboration between all ages, which then, in turn, spurs economic growth," said Paulina Jimenez, president of Park Art Center. "I am so excited to see that the current Villa Park Comprehensive Plan recognizes the link between arts and culture and community. Our community can only benefit and grow from the infusion of the arts."
In addition to programs and exhibits at its gallery, the center also offers off-site classes and after-school programs to nearby schools. The center's website, parkartcenter.org, and Facebook page, facebook.com/parkartcenter, feature livestreaming of exhibit-related activities as well as information and links to prior exhibits and programming. The center is also available for rental for private parties and gatherings for adults and children.
To donate, visit parkartcenter.org and click on the Generosity link.
Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The center is closed Sundays and Mondays. All events are free and open to the public. For information, contact hello@parkartcenter.org or (630) 501-1455.