West Chicago Art
West Chicago is proud of its public art collection, which serves to beautify the community and inspire its imagination. Many of the installations in various locations throughout the City are the result of the hard work and dedication of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission. West Chicago's Public Art tells the community's many stories, serves to document the past and present, and creates a sense of place that is uniquely West Chicago.
The Shell
A partnership effort between the West Chicago Park District and the City Of West Chicago to foster the arts in the community founded by a concerted vision by former West Chicago Mayor, Michael Kwasman and community members.
The Shell officially opened in 2017.
Public Art
West Chicago is proud of its public art collection, which serves to beautify the community and inspire its imagination.
Many of the installations in various locations throughout the City are the result of the hard work and dedication of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission. West Chicago's Public Art tells the community's many stories, serves to document the past and present, and creates a sense of place that is uniquely West Chicago.
Gallery 200
Gallery 200, an artist co-op, is a creative oasis in downtown West Chicago featuring the work of local artists for sale at affordable prices. It is a division of People Made Visible, an arts not for profit, with support from the City of West Chicago.
People Made Visible
People Made Visible, Inc. (PMV) is a non-for-profit organization with a mission to facilitate community while fulfilling the artistic, social, educational and cultural needs of the community through an innovative physical and web-based presence.
Artist in Residence
The Artist-in-Residency Program was established in 2008 and is run in collaboration with People Made Visible and the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission.
Since 2008, fourteen artists have visited West Chicago from Chicago, Denmark, Germany, Mexico and Spain.
Gallery Theater
The Gallery Theater fills a creative niche for residents and visitors on both sides of the curtain. Growing and nurturing talent for the performing arts, community theater gives many aspiring actors their first taste of the stage, while more seasoned actors enjoy performing in the intimate setting of their own hometown amongst friends, family and neighbors.
Local Music Night
Local Music Night is a free monthly event, where local artists can share their musical talents in a coffee house-type atmosphere. It has featured over 50 different performers and groups since its first event in October 2009.
Recent News about West Chicago Art
Exhibit Featuring West Chicago Artist Begins Feb. 10
The Mexican Cultural Center DuPage is hosting an exhibit by West Chicago artist Giovanni Arellano, better known as Fiendsco, at Gallery 200, (103 W. Washington Street) beginning Thursday, Feb. 10. The exhibit is free to attend, and face masks must be worn in the gallery space at all times. A special artist opening reception will […]
Mural by Juan Chawuk
Juan Chawuk, internationally acclaimed Mayan artist from Chiapas, Mexico, has created a mural that will be installed on the southwest side of the Supermercado Tampico building at 516 Main Street. This location will provide excellent visibility of the artwork for the countless number of commuters of Metra, as well as for the pedestrian traffic on the walking trail and Main Street.
September 2021: Botanical Watercolorist Kathi Kuchler
Kathi Kuchler’s artwork was featured at Gallery 200 in September 2021. Kuchler began painting at the age of 14 in oils and then turned to watercolors because, “I love the fact that I can take my small round paint palette wherever I go.” She received her certification in 2015 as a Botanical Watercolorist and Illustrator […]
August 2021: Botanical Oil Painter Marge Hall
Marge Hall’s artwork was featured at Gallery 200 in August 2021 Marge Hall creates nature-inspired paintings. She admits to painting for as long as she can remember. “When asked if I would like to teach at the DuPage Art League in Wheaton in 1971, I said yes, and have been teaching oil painting ever since. […]
Spring 2021: Series ‘Art in Full Bloom’
The ‘Art in Full Bloom’ series was featured at Gallery 200 in April and May of 2021 Artists celebrated in April and May of 2021 with an exhibit series called Art in Full Bloom, bringing the full spectrum of work created to stir the imagination. Painting, photography, glasswork and jewelry were just some of the […]
West Chicago Renews Commitment to Monarch Butterflies
A call for West Chicago residents and City staff to take steps to continue and increase the planting of milkweed and nectar plants to preserve and strengthen the monarch butterfly population is included in a Proclamation declaring March 31, 2021 as “Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Day” in West Chicago. The Proclamation will be read at the […]
DuPage Monarch Project Releases Video Featuring West Chicago Among Other Cities
Last summer, Mayor Ruben Pineda contributed to a video produced by the DuPage Monarch Project, which was just released. In it, Mayor Pineda speaks about his signing the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge in 2017, and the momentum it created for monarch conservation in West Chicago. Since signing the Pledge, West Chicago residents and community organizations have […]
Fall 2021: Fiber Artists Series
Sharon Malec and Patty Koenigsaeker’s artwork was featured at Gallery 200 in September and October of 2021 Fiber artists Sharon Malec and Patty Koenigsaeker had numerous works of art featured at Gallery 200 during the fall of 2021. Sharon began quilting in 1992, making traditional pieced quilts, but gradually turned to making contemporary art quilts. […]
A Walk in the Kruse House Gardens
The July meeting of the West Chicago Garden Club brought members to the Kruse House Gardens, located at 527 Main Street, for an evening of beauty and fellowship. The garden aficionados were not disappointed as the plants and shrubs throughout the property were at their peak and created a lovely backdrop for a leisurely stroll. […]
April 2020: Community High School Exhibit
Photograph by Ignacio Leaving home is never easy. However, as small children we adapt pretty quickly. Our parents make those transitions more seamless since they tend to be the center of our universe. In a sense, we take our homes with us as children. As adults, we usually choose to leave our homes. It seems […]
WCCHS Art Students Present Month-long Exhibit at Gallery 200
West Chicago Community High School students will be displaying their exceptional artwork at Gallery 200 during the month of April. Throughout the school year, students have grown in their mastery of materials, tools, techniques, and concepts. The students’ artwork is not only a demonstration of their technical skills, but also an invitation to explore the […]
Remembering 9/11
Location:Reed-Keppler Park250 West National Street I Love My Country, part of the Randolph Rose Collection, is a detailed bronze statue of children holding the American flag. It measures 39” x 60” x 81”H. The beautiful bronze patina sets off the red, white and blue of the American Flag for an inspiring and patriotic tribute to […]