Call for Artists: CAC Paint-A-Thon

The Chicago Artists's Coalition will hold its first ever PAINT-A-THON at FLATFILE GALLERIES on JUNE 10, 2007.

Styled like a walk-a-thon, donors sponsor individual artists in painting before the public and the public has the opportunity to bid on the artwork. Unlike many art auctions, the individual artist will receive 25% of the highest collected bid for their artwork, with the remaining 75% going to support the CAC.

For more information, visit Paint-A-Thon.

Grants and Awards to Individual Artists

A quick tip: check out our del.icio.us page for tons of links pertaining to individual artist awards and grants - dgartist/individualartistgrants. The majority of these awards are unrestricted awards based on artistic merit and/or financial need. Some grants are by nomination only and others allow for an open application process. These are mostly national awards - check your local state or city art council for artist grants such as Chicago's CAAP grant. Please reply to this post with other foundations, websites, and online resources.

Chicago Artists' Month Deadline May 15

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs invites you to participate in Chicago Artists Month 2007, the annual celebration of Chicago's vibrant visual arts community during the month of October. 250 exhibitions of emerging and established artists, demonstrations, tours, open studios and neighborhood art walks take place at galleries, parks, neighborhood art centers, artists studio buildings and other locations throughout the city. To find out more and to fill out the online participation form, go to www.chicagoartistsmonth.org. Deadline: May 15, 2007.

View overview and participation guidelines>>

Fashion Show & Trade Show (Chicago) - Now Accepting Applications

Sewing Rebellion
Labor Trade Show & Fashion Show– Call for Submissions
Sunday May 6, 2-5pm
Mess Hall
7027 North Glenwood Ave.
Chicago IL 60626

The Sewing Rebellion is a cultural revolution where participants are invited to emancipate themselves from the global garment industry by learning the skills to produce your own garments. Frau Fiber artist, activist and former textile worker hosts free weekly workshops where she shares her knowledge of the garment industry, pattern making, and sewing, encouraging the reuse, renovation and recycling of existing garments and textiles in the creation of unique garments tailored to individual tastes and body shapes.

The Sewing Rebellion will host a celebration of labor practices and invites you to contribute by exhibiting your labor practice within the context of a "trade show". The Labor Trade Show will be held in conjunction with a fashion show of garments produced in the Sewing Rebellion and a performance of the Synchronized Sewing Squad.

Frau Fiber is also seeking participants for the Synchronized Sewing Squad. The Synchronized Sewing Squad performs garment production. Unskilled and skilled textile laborers are invited to particpate in a 20-30 minute performance where we will piece together simple garments
such as a table cloth circle skirt or hunters hat before a live audience If you are interested in participating please send the following by April 1, 2007:

Statement about your labor practice
5 digital images
Proposal for your trade show booth
Notification April 10, 2007.

Mail to: Mess Hall
7027 North Glenwood Ave.
Chicago IL 60626
Email to: FrauFiber@gmail.com

Friday April 6 or Saturday April 7, 8pm at Links hall and then again May 6, 2pm for the Labor Trade show and Fashion Show. If interested contact Frau Fiber @ FrauFiber@gmail.com

Call for Vendors: Indoor/Outdoor Earth Day Fest

Artists working in recycled materials are invited to participate in a new indoor/outdoor Earth Day fest. There is no fee for participation, but 10% of sale proceeds will benefit CASE (Community for Alternative Sources of Energy). Additional information available on Metromix.

The Community for Alternative Sources of Energy (CASE) is a student run not-for-profit organization at Northside College Prep, the state's top ranked public high school. CASE is committed to decreasing dependency on fossil fuels by identifying and using practical
alternative energy sources. CASE's goal is to make Northside an example of total sustainability and with the cooperation of the Chicago Public Schools, is currently in the process of installing
solar thermal panels on the building's roof.

In celebration of Earth Day, CASE is holding their first annual Green Scene on Saturday, April 21, 2007 on Northside's grounds along the Chicago River (5501 N. Kedzie). The indoor/outdoor festival is dedicated to raising community awareness about available eco-friendly practices. The fest is open to the public from 12-5 p.m. rain or shine. Admission is free. Ample parking is available for participants and guests.

In addition to providing a showcase for area green organizations, the event's unique focus is to present environmentalism in a way that is accessible and demonstrable to visitors of all ages. The intent is to provide practical ideas that each visitor can integrate into everyday life.

The event features vendors, informational booths, and hands-on activities that highlight all the different aspects of leading an environmentally friendly life style, such as organic food, fair-trade products, green energy sources, and recycling and conservation programs. With the help of an experienced public relations team, CASE expects to heavily promote the event in local media.

Interested organizations may participate either as vendors or as informational booths. All participants should provide their own booths and equipment. There is no set-up fee to participate, but 10% of sale proceeds will benefit CASE. Informational booths should also provide an activity or demonstration to engage festival goers. For additional information call (312) 952-6736 or email greensceneinfo@gmail.com. To learn more about CASE visit www.caseproject.org.

Call for Artists: The Spring Show at Architectural Artifacts

THE SPRING SHOW

Date: April 29, 2007
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: Architectural Artifacts - 4325 N. Ravenswood Chicago, IL 60613
Description: The Spring Show is a juried art and craft sale held in conjunction with Architectural Artifact's annual sale. The event also includes a silent auction to benefit the sculpture fund for Holstein Park in Bucktown.
Open To: Fine art and craft artists
Booth Fee: $100 for 10 x 10 booth; donation to silent auction required
Contact: Maria at mariam{at}enteract.com or 773.263.5882

<<DOWNLOAD APPLICATION>>

Chicago Artists Buy/Sell Supplies and Equipment

Parts and Labor Artist Resource
check out this new resource page for Chicago artists - myspace.com/laborpartsresource

"The Parts and Labor Collective, the Chicago-based alternative space art group has started this page as a resource for Chicago artists and creatives. Consider it your forum for spreading the word about time and money saving secrets, great local craftsman, sales on art materials, or as a place to donate or sell art equipment or materials within the arts community. We hope to update it regularly and make it a place that brings the art community together to help each other, donate their talents, and showcase their services directly to the online Chicago art world. Can't find what or who you need? Consider this starting point. We'll be posting blogs on all the subjects of art-making. There are also plans to hold Summer Artist Yard Sales out of our space as a weekend venue for reselling art making materials, supplies, and equipment back to the art community."

Free Tuition at Berea College

Thanks to loyal reader and freelance writer Catherine Arnold, we recently discovered Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. In addition to its mission to serve communities of Appalachia, the college has an interesting history of blending learning with labor. For years Berea operated as a self-sustaining community, complete with a College-operated farm, dairy, hospital and fire department. Today, students work 10-20 hours/week in lieu of paying tuition. While a diverse range of jobs are available, many students fulfill this requirement by producing traditional crafts for the retail market. Check out Berea's online store of College Crafts here. Prospective students can find additional information here.

Catherine Arnold is a freelance writer available to assist the creative community with press releases, bios, and more. Always interested in hearing about a good feature for an upcoming media pitch, you can find additional information on her blogs - It Worked for Us and Bitter Orange.

Call for Chicago Fashion Designers

The City has joined forces with CS to present a Spring Fashion Show to showcase Chicago area designers' Fall Collections, on March 29th 2007. CS is also celebrating their annual Spring Fashion issue and the Men’s Book. Location is TBD.
Gen Art has been contracted to be the producers of the show - thus why you are getting an email from me.

We have put together a selection committee that will be holding a 3 hour session to view your Fall Collections to choose 8 (two accessory, six apparel) designers to be a part of this show. Should you be chosen, we will be highlighting your designs in both a runway show and/or fashion installation at this event. Gen Art will handle the production, models, fittings, etc - so all we need are your designs and your creative input.

We are holding a call on Tuesday the 20th of February at the Cultural Center, from 9AM-12PM, for Designers who have been in business a minimum of three years and sell to at least one retail store.

Please note that should you be chosen, we will need you to have 10 looks for the runway. It is preferable that you have options of more, so we can choose the strongest pieces to showcase. This will be a factor in our decision.

Please bring with you:
Press Kit
Photos of past collections
Photos of this upcoming Fall Collection
At least (3) pieces of the Fall Collection

Thank you. Please contact me with any questions with this process. Please also feel free to pass this along to designers you think might be interested.

Best,
Amanda Nosal

REGIONAL EVENT DIRECTOR l GEN ART CHICAGO

311 N ABERDEEN SUITE 300B l CHICAGO IL 60607 l 312 229 1701

Opportunities: January 28, 2007

Clay: Applied Art vs. Fine Art

A call for entries for ceramic artists worldwide

A call for entries for ceramic artists worldwide for an art exhibition: “Clay: Applied Art vs. Fine Art?” The artist’s work must exemplify clay as applied art or clay as fine art or clay as both applied and fine art. Application Deadline March 9, 2007. Work must be received by March 23, 2007. Exhibition Dates: March 28 until May 26, 2007. For prospectus send a SASE to Gloria Kennedy Gallery 111 Front Street Gallery 222, Brooklyn, NY 11201 or online at www.gkgart.com (submissions).

From Nonstarvingartists.com

Chicago Gallery Looking for Full-Time Director

(E-mail date January 9, 2007) KN Gallery is a prestigious art gallery specializing in 20th century art. We are interviewing for a full-time gallery manager, a critical member of the staff who participates in the overall management of the gallery.

Candidates should submit cover letter and resume to:
Lara Niemira
KN Gallery
875 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
lniemira@kngallery.com | 312.640.5550
www.kngallery.com

Installation Opportunity for Artists

contact Linda Dorman - linda{at}unclefreddys.com

Call for Vendors: Nashville Craft Mafia's Urban Craft Extravaganza

Calling all crafters! The Nashville branch of the national Craft Mafia is currently accepting application for the first-annual Urban Craft Extravaganza, a one-day indie craft fair on March 3, 2007. Download the application online. Looking for exposure for your indie-friendly business? Consider sponsorship opportunities with Nashville Craft Mafia.

Mohop Shoes and Indie Finds Website

At the last Renegade Craft Fair, we were talking to Annie of Mohop(handmade wooden shoes) about the advertising co-op she joined, Indie Finds. It's a great idea and while they are not currently accepting new members, it's definitely a website to keep on your radar. Also while you're there, check out their holiday gift guide. For other indie gift suggestions, check out Trunkt's easy to navigate gift suggestions.