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
Spring has Sprung Video Captures Pride and Positivity of West Chicago Residents
West Chicago’s strong gardening community rallied to the call for photographs of their own spring blooms or those admired around town, for a City-sponsored campaign called Spring has Sprung that was heavily promoted through social media and other resident communications. Over 100 photographs were received and a six-minute slideshow was produced. “The City thanks everyone […]
New Butterfly Gardens at Reed-Keppler and Don Earley Parks will Delight, Educate and Inspire
Attention all West Chicago butterfly lovers, and there are many. Two new public gardens are being designed and installed through a collaboration between the West Chicago Park District, the City of West Chicago, and resident and Master Naturalist Judith Horsley, who applied and received a grant on the Park District’s behalf from the North American […]
Images of Lost and Found: An Exhibit of Art by West Chicago’s ESL Students
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 […]
West Chicago Community High School Art Students Demonstrate Technical Skill, Creativity & Imagination
West Chicago Community High School students created an exceptional exhibit of original art which was scheduled for display at Gallery 200 during the month of April. Unfortunately, due to the rapidly evolving events of COVID-19, installation of the exhibit made it impossible Throughout the school year, art students have grown in their mastery of materials, […]
Community Comes Together and Gets Creative During COVID-19
Excerpt courtesy of Merle Burleigh, whose column appears weekly on the City’s website.
Here is more upbeat news in our community. The West Chicago Lions Club hosted a Blood Drive by Versiti-Blood Center of Illinois Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at West Chicago Social Club. Eighteen donors registered; three were deferred. Fifteen units were collected. Camille Piazza, Versiti Account Representative, said, “Because of you and the generous community — up to 45 lives were saved.”
A Bunny and a carrot, walking around a neighborhood on the north side and keeping a safe distance, brought forth some smiling faces. While walking, persons see many examples of the chalk sidewalk art and welcoming signs of Spring.
City Cancels Blooming Fest Event Due to COVID-19
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to cause cancellations of public gatherings across the country, the City of West Chicago has announced that in the interest of public health and safety it is cancelling Blooming Fest, the downtown garden festival scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020. “We have been monitoring the situation closely, following the […]
Small Business Resources During COVID-19
The following information has been provided by the office of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker: Small Business Administration Loan Application Front Line Staff Information for Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus Webinar Material from the Small Business Administration
CANCELLED – Encore Showing of The Guardians at Gallery 200
DUE TO CONCERNS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AMID THE CORONAVIRUS SITUATION, THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE. FREE EVENT The GuardiansThursday, March 26, 20207:00 p.m.Gallery 200103 West Washington Street Since Mayor Ruben Pineda signed the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge in 2017, West Chicago’s advocacy efforts for the Monarch butterfly have landed […]
Art is the Heart of the City at Gallery 200 in March
The eighth annual Art is the Heart of the City is the exhibit for the month of March at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. On display is the artwork of students in grades first through eighth at West Chicago Elementary School District 33 schools. There is a variety of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional media, […]
Extending the Natural World at Gallery 200 All Month
Artist Joanne Barsanti is February’s Featured Artist though her Opening Reception is scheduled for January 31, 2010 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. After she retired from a career in technology, Joanne re-directed her energies towards art. What began as a photography-based hobby slowly morphed into an Encore Career. […]
Art Banner Deadline Extended to February 21
Following requests from artists requesting a deadline extension for submitting their artwork for the annual juried Art Banner Exhibit, the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission has agreed to extend the deadline to Friday, February 21, 2020. An online submission application may be found at https://form.jotform.com/92166762392161. All media are welcome, with no limitation to technique or […]
An Exhibit of Botanical Watercolors by Artist Kathi Kuchler at City Hall
Spring has come early to West Chicago’s City Hall at 475 Main Street through a display of fine art by Kathi Kuchler, a Gallery 200 member artist and People’s Choice Award winner of the 2019 Art Banner Exhibit. The collection of botanical watercolor paintings adds a touch of hope that warmer days, sunnier skies, and […]
