Update: International Artist Bodo Gsedl Named Juror of Community Banner Art Exhibit
The year was 1962 when artist Andy Warhol used his creative genius to produce a series of iconic works of art from inspiration found in an ordinary object of popular culture and well-stocked kitchen pantries – Campbell’s soup cans. His 32 canvases, each measuring 20” x 16”, depict one of each variety of canned soup that the company made at that time, and now hang in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
While the pop art movement began forming in Britain during the mid-1950s, Warhol was a major contributor in the United States and his name is synonymous with the art form.
The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission is hoping artists from West Chicago, Chicagoland and the metropolitan area will channel their “inner Andy Warhol” and submit their original pop art for the 9th Annual Community Art Banner Exhibit, a juried exhibit which will be installed on Main Street in the spring of 2018.
Each chosen design will be reproduced and featured on a (h) 60” x (w) 30” vinyl street banner. Artists selected will receive credit on both banner and in printed materials related to the exhibit. Additionally, they will be asked to submit a brief statement about the inspiration for the selected piece for press use. A reception honoring the artists will take place during the City’s widely attended annual Blooming Fest in May, and banners will hang on Main Street from May through September 2018.
All media are welcome, with no limitation to technique or subject matter, as long as the theme revolves around Pop Art. The deadline for artwork is February 2, 2018. An independent juror, to be named at a later date, will select the final works of art anonymously.
To Apply: Online Submission Form
A People’s Choice Award will be presented to the artist who receives the most votes from the public. The award will consist of the artist’s banner following its removal at the conclusion of the display in September.
“The invitation is out and the Commission is ready to receive submissions of artwork for consideration of the 2018 project,” said Rosemary Mackey, City of West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission staff liaison. An online submission form, with complete instructions, on the City’s website makes the process easy.
To view a retrospective of all past banner art exhibits and learn about the artists, click here.
The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission is charged with enriching the lives of all West Chicago residents through the support of cultural arts activities. It sponsors art shows, special events and public art projects. The Commission meets the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, and currently has one vacancy. Those interested in serving on this this volunteer Commission, please contact Rosemary Mackey at mailto:rmackey@westchicago.orgor (630) 293-2200 x139.
