Call for artists as Grayslake celebrates 125 years

The Grayslake Arts Alliance, in partnership with the village of Grayslake, seeks an artist or artist team to complete a piece of outdoor public art in honor of Grayslake's 125th anniversary.

A prize of $5,000 will be awarded, and the winning entry will be unveiled within the Grayslake Village Center on Aug. 15.

The piece is intended to celebrate Grayslake turning 125 years old. Grayslake has a long history, beginning with the Potawatomi people who called the area home. Early European settlers arrived in the mid-1800s and took up farming. Then, in 1886, the first subdivision called Grays Lake was platted.

That same year, Wisconsin Central Railroad arrived. A fledgling downtown began to emerge and the railroad helped fuel growth. On May 9, 1895, voters formally approved the creation of the Village of Grays Lake. The name soon changed to Grayslake and a community was born.

A one-room school house became the basis for the first village hall. Today, that structure continues to serve the public as the west wing of the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum.

Artists are encouraged to visit the Heritage Center to learn more about Grayslake history as inspiration for their artwork.

​Project proposals must be received by Jan. 31.

For more information, visit www.grayslakeartsalliance.org/embracingchange2020.html.