Members of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission are so enthusiastic about the submissions they have received thus far in their call for art for Take Flight that they have decided to extend the deadline for submissions to Monday, February 22, 2021 and to expand the exhibit to accommodate more artists who wish to enter the juried show.
Take Flight will be installed in historic downtown West Chicago for the spring and summer months. The street banners have become a highly anticipated element of the City’s streetscape and have received acclaim from residents and visitors every year since the public art project started in 2009.
Take Flight offers a tremendous opportunity for artists wishing to make a statement on what the theme means to them. Whether literally or figuratively, the words ‘take flight’ are intended to generate a host of ideas from aviation and space to concepts of rising above the unique challenges of 2020, breaking barriers or experiencing the joy and exhilaration of a successful endeavor, just to name a few. The Commission hopes the result to be a richly varied exhibit of art that takes the annual public art project to new heights of creative expression.
Details for Art Submissions
All media are welcome, with no limitation to technique or subject matter, as long as it relates to the theme, Take Flight. Each selected design will be reproduced, at the Commission’s expense, on (h) 60 x (w) 30″ vinyl street banners. Artists selected will receive credit on both the banner and in printed materials related to the exhibit. Additionally, applicants are asked to submit a brief statement about their inspiration for inclusion in publicity materials.
Banners will hang on Main Street and West Washington Street in downtown West Chicago from May – September 2021.
Banner Specifications
Banners measure: (h) 60” x (w) 30” with text, image field measuring approximately: (h) 42” x (w) 30”. Before submitting, applicants should make sure that the art work is reproducible at the specified dimensions and at an adequate resolution, as no exceptions to these specifications will be made, in order to ensure the quality and integrity of the entire exhibit.
The WCCAC will work with artists to obtain proper file sizes for reproduction once juried into the exhibit. However, all submissions should reflect the size specifications in order to be considered.
Submission Specifications
An entry is comprised of up to 3 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 an online form. All entries must be original and created within two years of entry date. Entries must be received by February 22, 2021.
Judging
Judging of submissions will be based on JPEG files only. JPEG files submitted must represent actual work. 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. The WCCAC reserves the right to refuse to exhibit any work it deems unacceptable due to significant departure from JPEG representation or inappropriate content.
People’s Choice Award
The exhibition runs from May – September 2021. During the course of the exhibit, the general public will be invited to vote for an artist/banner to receive the People’s Choice Award. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive their banner free of charge. All other banners may be sold, with the artist receiving the first right of refusal, and proceeds will be used for future art programming.
Required Waiver for Participation
By submitting artwork for consideration, the artist must acknowledge and agree to the terms of the City’s standard Photographic Waiver by checking a box on the submission form, which gives the City permission to identify the artist and use the image in its publicity efforts.
Agreement for Transfer/Licensing of Photographic Image and to Indemnify and Hold Harmless – .pdf 12 kb
Acuerdo de Transferencia/Licendia De Imagen Fotografica Y De Indemnifcar y Mantener Inofensivo – .pdf 67 kb
