CALL FOR PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS!
April 29, 2023
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park, IL
The WSCAE Art Expo is a showcase of exceptional student artwork from 15 high-performing West Suburban School Districts. The Art Expo celebrates the hard work, creativity and ingenuity of outstanding student artists!
We are looking for professional artists and art educators to provide feedback and inspiration for our student artists. There will be no formal judging of the artwork at the show, rather we will provide “fan-mail” postcards to provide written feedback to the students. We are also asking for professional artists and art educators to engage with our student artists, asking questions and sharing information about their work and experiences.
The Art Expo will be on display throughout the day and visiting artists are welcome any time. We are not asking for a specific time commitment, it could be an hour or all day. We appreciate any time art professionals are willing to give!
In return, at the Art Expo check-in station, we will provide a special badge identifying the professional artist-volunteers. Artist names will be included in the event program and artwork will be featured on the Art Expo Website.
If you are interested in participating in this exciting event or would like more information, please contact Longfellow Elementary School Art teacher Jenny Raia at jraia@op97.org. Thank you on behalf of all of our aspiring, young artists!
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park, IL
The WSCAE Art Expo is a showcase of exceptional student artwork from 15 high-performing West Suburban School Districts. The Art Expo celebrates the hard work, creativity and ingenuity of outstanding student artists!
We are looking for professional artists and art educators to provide feedback and inspiration for our student artists. There will be no formal judging of the artwork at the show, rather we will provide “fan-mail” postcards to provide written feedback to the students. We are also asking for professional artists and art educators to engage with our student artists, asking questions and sharing information about their work and experiences.
The Art Expo will be on display throughout the day and visiting artists are welcome any time. We are not asking for a specific time commitment, it could be an hour or all day. We appreciate any time art professionals are willing to give!
In return, at the Art Expo check-in station, we will provide a special badge identifying the professional artist-volunteers. Artist names will be included in the event program and artwork will be featured on the Art Expo Website.
If you are interested in participating in this exciting event or would like more information, please contact Longfellow Elementary School Art teacher Jenny Raia at jraia@op97.org. Thank you on behalf of all of our aspiring, young artists!
Questions and Answers for Professional Artists Attending the Art Show
1. What is the WSCAE Art Show?
The WSCAE includes high performing West Suburban School Districts that combine efforts to advance academic excellence among member districts. For the first time ever, the WSCAE has decided to conduct an art show to showcase artwork from all elementary and middle schools. There are 15 public school districts participating. The artwork of approximately 500 students in kindergarten through grade 8 will be on display from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cheney Mansion located in Oak Park.
2. Who is organizing the WSCAE Art Fair?
Art teachers and superintendents from the 15 participating school districts are organizing the event. The 500 art pieces will be set up at the Cheney Mansion by the art teachers on Friday, April 28th. The actual show begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends by 2:00 p.m. on April 29th.
3. Why are professional artists being recruited to attend the event?
Professional artists are being recruited to attend the event to interact with the students who will be presenting their art. The artists will be requested to provide verbal and written feedback to students about their art. The artists may also wish to share information about their own careers and backgrounds. There will be no formal judging of art pieces. Rather, verbal and written feedback will be provided on an individual basis. There will be templates available at the show for written feedback that will be deposited in each child’s mailbox. Interactions with artists will be educational and aspiring to the young artists.
4. What types of professional artists are being recruited?
We are looking for a broad range of artists that may include painters, sculptors, graphic, media, designers, etc. Anyone who has conducted full or part-time professional work as an artist, designer, or art teacher is most welcome.
5. What would be the role of visiting artists at the art show?
The role of visiting artists is simply to circulate among the students displaying their art providing both verbal and written feedback. There will be art displayed throughout the first floor of the Mansion, in the green house, and in a tent to be pitched in the back yard. There will be a lot of room for artists to spread out.
6. Are visiting artists expected to attend the show from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.?
No. Visiting artists may attend anytime between 10:00 and 2:00 p.m. It is the hope of the organizing committee that artists will stay for at least one hour but there is no specific time requirement.
7. How will professional artists attending the art show be recognized?
All professional artists attending the fair will be given a special badge that will identify them as professional artists. Students and parents will be able to identify them as professional artists by their badge. In addition, visiting artists will have their names included in the event program. Finally, visiting artists or art schools may distribute promotional information at the art show.
