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
Cultural Arts Commission Seeks Community Input
What type of art should be included in West Chicago’s Public Art Master Plan? As cities across the country have learned, the addition of public art in communities offers many benefits. West Chicago residents responded with strong agreement to some of these benefits, and added several others of their own, in a survey administered by […]
Public Art Survey Results – Who Does Public Art Benefit?
In response to a survey conducted by the City of West Chicago’s Cultural Arts Commission for community feedback in a multi-step survey process to create a Public Art Master Plan, the following charts will provide the results of Question #2, Who Does Public Art Benefit? Below the charts are additional comments made by respondents: The […]
Warrenville Artist Nick Gurley to Show Work in West Chicago’s Celebration of Art
The month of January brings Celebration of Art to Gallery 200 at 103 W. Washington Street, with an Opening Reception scheduled for Friday, January 17, 2020 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The art show and sale is sponsored by People Made Visible, of which Gallery 200 is a division. Artists known to the community through […]
Local Business Owner and Arts Advocate Announced as 2020 Art Banner Juror
Online Submission Form A familiar face for many in the West Chicago community, Ryan Hammer, co-owner of Kindred Coffee, has been announced as the art juror for the 2020 Art Banner Exhibit, Home. All media are welcome, with no limitation to technique or subject matter, as long as it relates to the theme. Each selected […]
Gallery Theater to Present Skylight in February
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Gallery Theater presents a play about the one who got away. Skylight, by David Hare, is directed by Justin Schaller. On a chilly, fall evening in London, restaurateur Tom Sergeant visits an old flame, Kyra Hollis, after having lost his wife to cancer. He hopes that he can rekindle […]
Student Talent Sparkles as Frosty Fest Approaches, Contest Winners Announced
For more than ten years, elementary school children in West Chicago have been invited to participate in a project that connects them to the City in a special way for the holidays. A student essay contest that rewards three winners in each grade category with a classroom visit, ride in the Mayor’s horse-drawn Frosty Fest […]
Students and Businesses Work Together on Storefront Windows for Frosty Fest
Members of the West Chicago Community High School National Honor Society worked with seven downtown businesses or organizations to add holiday cheer to storefront windows in time for Frosty Fest, which is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2019, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. in downtown West Chicago. Among the participating businesses/organizations are Rite Way Auto, […]
Let the Countdown Begin: Official Tree-lighting to Take Place this Saturday at Frosty Fest
Lights, check. Ornaments, check. Butterflies, check. The official tree is ready to turn on the magic of Frosty Fest this Saturday, December 7, 2019, immediately following the Frosty Procession which steps off at 4:00 p.m. and includes the West Chicago Police Department and Honor Guard, the West Chicago Fire Protection District, Frosty, West Chicago Community […]
Night of Recognition at City Council Meeting
It was a night for recognition at the top of the agenda at the City Council meeting of Monday, December 3, 2019. First up was the IHSA Class 3A State Champions Varsity Boys Soccer Team. The team received a standing ovation from Mayor Ruben Pineda, City Council and others in attendance. Following the reading of […]
“Home” is Chosen Theme for West Chicago’s 2020 Public Art Banner Exhibit
Calling all artists.Submissions now being accepted online.Deadline: February 1, 2020. Home, there’s no place like it, and the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission (WCCAC) hopes the chosen theme evokes emotion and inspires creative expression for the concept, physical structure and/or larger community in which the artist feels a sense of belonging. “Home is the place […]
Winter Butterflies to Adorn Community Tree
West Chicago’s Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street, was aflutter with activity last Friday. Community members were invited to join staff from Kramer Tree Specialists, a West Chicago business which for the past ten years has generously donated their services to decorate the official tree for Frosty Fest, for a very special activity that was […]
Frosty Fest Butterfly Ornaments to Close Out The Year of the Butterfly
West Chicago closes out The Year of the Butterfly with an inspiring project for the 2019 Frosty Fest Tree Lighting. Kramer Tree Specialists, which generously decorates the community tree at the Fox Community Center every year, has agreed to incorporate 20 hand-painted butterfly ornaments on the tree this year. A smaller version of the wooden […]
