West Chicago Community Art Banner Project Exhibition
May 1 - September 1, 2008

West Chicago, Illinois - May 6, 2008 - Over the winter, the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission invited artists with a West Chicago connection to submit original flower-themed artwork for consideration for the new Community Art Banner Project. The sixty plus entries were anonymous when judged by Jesse Felix, Superintendent of Parks at the West Chicago Park District; Anni Holm, West Chicago based, internationally exhibited artist and Director at Orleans Street Gallery; and former West Chicago Museum Registrar Brian Reis, now Assistant Curator at the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. Ten unique pieces were selected and reproduced and are being exhibited on the lampposts on Main Street in downtown West Chicago through September 2008.

Featured artists include: Carrie Auwaerter of St. Charles, Catie Barron of West Chicago, Grant Clifford of Wheaton, Nino Despota of West Chicago, John Rakow of West Chicago, Mandy Rakow of West Chicago, James A. Schnaitman of West Chicago, Kathy Steere of West Chicago, Samantha Weibler of West Chicago and Joe Weibler of West Chicago. The West Chicago Community Art Banner Project reception honoring the ten artists and featuring the ten original works of art will take place on May 17, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Gallery 200, in conjunction with West Chicago's annual Blooming Fest. At this time, the general public will be able to vote for an artist/banner to receive the People's Choice Award.

Ballots and application information for next year's Faces themed Community Art Banner Project, will be available at Gallery 200 and the West Chicago City Museum, which are located on Main Street. For more information please contact the City Museum, 132 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois 60185; by telephone at (630) 231-3376; or by e-mail to lbombard@westchicago.org.