FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28. 2011

Village of Oak Park’s Community Mini Mural Project Round 2 Begins

Artists are encouraged to present their ideas to transform the railroad retaining walls along the Green Line corridor from dull, blank concrete into canvases – and earn $1,000 in the process.

The Village of Oak Park is seeking four artists to paint separate murals that promote creative expression and provide an enriching visual experience for residents and visitors alike. The long-range goal of the program, officials say, is to intersperse colorful public art where possible along the entire length of the railroad from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard.

Last year, the community mini mural project was launched with eight murals.  The murals are located on the railroad embankments at North and South Boulevards/Oak Park Avenue.  Two additional murals were installed last fall on North Boulevard, east of Harlem.

Each of the four selected artists will receive $500 for materials prior to beginning the project and another $500 upon completion. The murals will range in size from about six-feet-by-eight feet to six-feet-by-eleven feet.

Artists from throughout the area – not just Oak Park – are invited to participate. The winning concepts will be selected by a panel of judges from the Village of Oak Park’s Public Arts Advisory Commission and the local arts community.

Interested artists must submit an application, available at the Oak Park Area Arts Council’s website, or office at 123 Madison St., or the Village of Oak Park’s web site www.oak-park.us.  Applicants must be 18 years old and up.  Each application must include a rendering of the proposed design. Round 2 Guldelines are avialable here.

Deadline to apply is 5 p.m., Monday, April 18. Selected artists will be notified by April 29. The goal is to have the murals on the walls by Day in Our Village, Sun., June 5, 2011, weather permitting.

Concepts will be selected on artistic merit, appropriateness for a public way and originality. Paint is the only medium that may be used and should be of a quality to withstand weather conditions for a reasonable amount of time.

Citizens or businesses interested in sponsoring a mini mural are urged to call the Oak Park Area Arts Council at 708.358.5690 or e-mail info@oakparkareaartscouncil.org.

Oak Park Area Arts Council
P.O. Box 950, Oak Park, IL 60303
Phone (708) 358-5690 • Fascimille (708) 383-6692 • E-mail: info@oakparkareaartscouncil.org.

© Copyright 2002-2010. Oak Park Area Arts Council. All rights reserved.
Website by 3planets. Send comments about this site to: webmaster.