Open Studios Evanston Makes Evanston 100 List

Touted as a "game changer" for the local arts scene in Evanston, Open Studios Evanston made the Evanston 100 List created by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.

We are thrilled to be in such amazing company and plan on having a fantastic event on June 6, 2015, featuring a bike route for those who don't want to drive to 100 art studios.
Open Studios Evanston is a citywide tour of Evanston art studios and galleries

Interested in participating in this year’s Open Studios Evanston, June 6, 2015, 12 - 6 p.m.?

Here’s what you’ll need to participate:

• Studio/gallery/space address in Evanston
• Digital image of your work (2 is fine)
• Artist bio/statement
• Website/Online portfolio
• Access to your studio space for the general public day of event
• One piece of art to hang in a group show at Noyes Cultural Center (Event partner Alley Gallery will provide framing equipment at discounted prices. That's them in the photo with the parrot.)

Once we have all your information we’ll share it on the event website here.

The City of Evanston and the Evanston Arts Council are providing marketing and event support to help drive traffic to artist studios. As we get closer to the event date we’ll ask you to help promote and share the event news with your friends, collectors, neighbors, alderman, etc.

Below is our Mission Statement and other event information;

Mission Statement

Open Studios Evanston is an initiative that engages the arts community of Evanston and the public through free events showcasing Evanston artists creating work in the City of Evanston.

Goals

• Increase the visibility of visual arts as another component of Evanston’s diverse cultural and economic activity
• Create a sense of community and belonging for Evanston artists
• Support emerging artists by producing events that create exposure and sales of their work

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions and thank you so much for making Evanston a more beautiful place.

Lisa Degliantoni

Open Studios Evanston, Producer

Evanston Arts Council, Co-Chair

openstudiosevanston@gmail.com

Vote for Evanston in the World Wildlife Fund's "We Love Cities" Campaign, Voting Begins Jan. 26

The City of Evanston is proud to announce that it has been selected as a finalist to represent the United States in the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Earth Hour City Challenge, along with Cleveland and Seattle. This year’s challenge encompasses over 40 local governments from countries across the globe, including France, Singapore, South Africa, and Brazil, and focuses on the promotion of renewable energy.

As the international panel of experts in climate policy and sustainable development decide who will move forward in the competition, the WWF has launched an eight-week “We Love Cities” campaign, beginning today, January 26 through Friday, March 27, encouraging community members from each contending location to get involved in the voting process and show the world how much they love their city and why.

To help Evanston’s bid to win, community members are asked to:

• Visit WeLoveEvanston.org to vote and provide feedback on ways Evanston can become more sustainable;
• Follow and tweet @GreenEvanston using the hashtag #WeLoveEvanston;
• Follow and tag @CityofEvanston on Instagram to share photos of your favorite Evanston places, “green ideas,” and more using the hashtag #WeLoveEvanston.

Each time a person votes, tweets, Instagrams and/or shares their suggestions, Evanston becomes one step closer to becoming the world’s most loved city.

Voting on the website is limited to once per person, per day, per city. However, community members are allowed to share multiple suggestions per day on WeLoveEvanston.org, along with #WeLoveEvanston submissions via Twitter and Instagram. Please note that all Twitter and Instagram profiles must be public in order for votes to count.

For more information about the “We Love Cities” campaign, please visit WeLoveEvanston.org or call Sustainability Manager Catherine Hurley at 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents in Evanston can simply dial 3-1-1.

Evanston Style Watch

There are so many elements to this woman's outfit that I love so deeply. She was crossing the street, and I wanted to make sure to feature the back of her hair, which must take an incredibly long time to do.

Really you can have style at any age. 

Cultural Fund Grant applications are due January 30th!

#1 hopefully you have an art project that needs funding 

#2 please send this email to artists in Evanston who might be interested

Evanston Cultural Fund Grant applications are due January 30th

http://www.cityofevanston.org/arts-culture/cultural-fund-grant-program/

All grant submissions are due by 5:00 PM on January 30th.  Applications must be submitted online.  The Cultural Fund now features three grant categories: Grants to Organizations, Special Projects and Programs, and Individual Artist Projects.

There are lots of positive changes including online applications, higher grant award limits, changes to eligibility and more. 

To read more about our Cultural Grant Program or to apply for a grant, click here.

PURPOSE AND FUNDING SOURCES

The Evanston Arts Council was established by mandate of the Evanston City Council in 1975 to provide leadership and advocacy for the promotion, development and accessibility of the arts and to create opportunities for artistic excellence in our community. The goal of the Cultural Fund Grant Program is to sustain and advance our community’s arts industry. Evanston’s vision for its Cultural Fund Program is to activate the extraordinary assets of the community to develop Evanston as an arts hub and destination.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. By providing financial assistance to not-for-profit arts organizations, the Cultural Fund supports artistic excellence throughout the community. The Arts Council strongly encourages the development of broader participation by Evanston’s diverse cultural community through collaborative efforts among artists, arts organizations, and the greater community.

** Note: All grant applications must be submitted online.  Paper copies will no longer be accepted.

ELIGIBILITY FOR FUNDING

There are three granting categories in the Cultural Arts Program. Applicants may only apply for one grant and must specify the category. Please be sure that you are filling out the correct application.

The categories and eligibility are as follows:

Grants to Organizations – Funding is awarded to Evanston nonprofit arts organizations for operating support or capacity-building efforts. The maximum grant request is $4000.00, although the actual grant award may be less than that.

Special Programs and Projects – Funding is awarded to nonprofit arts organizations for projects or programs that serve residents in the City of Evanston. The organization may be located outside Evanston, but the organization must clearly demonstrate that the program or project service area is within Evanston’s borders. The maximum grant request is $4000.00, although the actual grant award may be less than that.

Individual Artist Projects – To an Evanston artist for a specific public fine or performing art project. The artist must be a resident of Evanston to be eligible, and the project must occur within Evanston. The maximum grant request is $2000.00, although the actual grant award may be less than that.

If you would like further information on the narrative and fiscal information required for Grants to Organizations and Grants to Special Programs and Projects before starting an application, please review these Grants to Special Programs/Projects and Grants to Organizations Application Outlines. These outlines are meant help organizations decide which one of these two grants is more appropriate for their particular needs. 

Further descriptions and explanations are contained within the applications.  For all other questions and inquiries, please contact Cultural Arts Coordinator Jennifer Lasik at 847-859-7835.

To read more or apply for a Cultural Fund Grant, please click on the appropriate link:

Organizations
Special Programs & Projects
Indvidual Artists
 

Jan. 29 Art After Hours Party at SideTracked Studios

 

Art After Hours January 29, 2015

 

The first Art After Hours event, held in November at Prairie Moon, was a huge success as almost 80 performing and visual artists and arts professionals gathered to network and share.

Join us for our next “Art After Hours” event for an informal networking and “connection” session.

It will be January 29th from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at Sidetracked Studio Gallery, 707 Chicago Avenue. Our hosts are Rory and Lauren Coyne, proprietors of the gallery.

The cost to attend is $7.00, which will cover hors d'oeuvres AND beverages.  Libations will be provided by New Holland. 

Come join us for some peer-to-peer sharing and collaboration!  This is a great time to share stories, resources, ideas and projects with your colleagues.

To RSVP and get your "ticket", click here. Hope to see you there! 

There are only 65 spaces available, so don't wait to RSVP!

 http://sidetrackedstudio.com/home.html

Sidetracked Studio is the storefront studio of artists Lauren Levato Coyne and Rory Coyne. Throughout the year Sidetracked also presents gallery exhibitions of visiting artists, workshops, and lectures. For more information visit our web site or find us on social media.

Sidetracked Studio is ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible.

Art Exhibit: A Family’s Journey North by Jevoid Simmons

An extraordinary art exhibition celebrating Black History month will be on view at the Noyes Cultural Art Center from February 7 through March 5. Artist Jevoid Simmons has meticulously traced his family history in Alabama beginning in the early 20^th century. 

The paintings, that accompany a narrative, depict provocative events that tell the story of A Family’s Journey North. Simmons, a long time Evanston resident, is Director of Employee Relations at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The exhibition is curated by Harvey Pranian, owner of Harvey Art & Antiques and founder of Young Evanston Artists (YEA!). Most recently Harvey, in cooperation with the City of Evanston, curated an exhibition at the Noyes Cultural Art Center of art work by artists with mental and physical disabilities entitled, Expressions from the Heart. Harvey lives and works in Evanston and is active in the arts community.  

A FAMILY’S JOURNEY NORTH

Noyes Cultural Art Center

February 7 – March 5, 2015

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-7. Sunday 10-6

             

Artists’ Opening Reception

Saturday, February 7, 6-9 p.m.

Take the Divvy Survey

Tell Divvy planners what you think of proposed Divvy locations

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/divvylocations


Community members are invited to learn and share input on the City’s coming Divvy Bike Share program at a community meeting on Tues., Jan. 13, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in the Morton Civic Center Council Chambers.

The City of Evanston is partnering with the City of Chicago to expand Divvy Bike Share to Evanston in 2015 thanks to a $3 million state investment in the program, which will add 700 new bikes and 70 docking stations in Evanston, Oak Park and Chicago.

At the meeting, City of Evanston staff and Divvy representatives will provide an overview of bike sharing, review the process for station recommendations, and outline program goals and next steps. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and vote on their preferences for the eight initial Evanston station locations.

Meeting presentations and the survey will be made available online following the meeting. For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/divvybike or call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents can also dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.

Indoor Camping Adventure at Evanston Ecology Center

Summer seems so far away with the cold blowing snow but we have a new exciting program that will have a small taste of summer.  We are offering an indoor camping experience here at the Ecology Center.  We will have 4 person tents set up for your family in the multipurpose room.  Games, stories, a nature themed movie and S’mores will round out the night.  All you need to bring is your sleeping pads, sleeping bags, personal items and camping sprit.  A continental breakfast will be provided in the morning.
To register please call 847-448-8256.  Online registration is not available; tent space is limited so call today.
 
Below is the program description and information.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

FAMILY INDOOR CAMPING ADVENTURE

Craving a campout but don’t feel like sleeping out in the cold? Come join us at the Ecology Center for indoor camping! We’ll have s’mores, stories, games, and a nature-themed movie with popcorn.  A light continental breakfast will be provided in the morning. We’ll also provide each family with a four person tent, but please bring your own sleeping pads, sleeping bags and personal items.
Location: Evanston Ecology Center
Age: 5 yrs. & up
Fee: $50 per family ( 4 people )
Class #                 Date            Day     Time
142150A5        Jan 24-25       Sa, Su  7pm-9am

Call for Artists for Open Studios Evanston on June 6, 2015

from openstudiosevanston.blogspot.com

Interested in participating in this year’s Open Studios Evanston, June 6, 2015, 12 - 6 p.m.?

Here’s what you’ll need to participate:

• Studio/gallery/space address in Evanston
• Digital image of your work (2 is suffice)
• Artist bio/statement
• Website/Online portfolio (not mandatory)
• Access to your studio space for the general public day of event
• One piece of art to hang in a group show at Noyes Cultural Center (Event partner Alley Gallery will provide framing equipment at discounted prices. That's them in the photo with the parrot.)

Once we have all your information we’ll share it on the event website here.

The City of Evanston and the Evanston Arts Council are providing marketing and event support to help drive traffic to artist studios. As we get closer to the event date we’ll ask you to help promote and share the event news with your friends, collectors, neighbors, alderman, etc.

Below is our Mission Statement and other event information;

Mission Statement

Open Studios Evanston is an initiative that engages the arts community of Evanston and the public through free events showcasing Evanston artists creating work in the City of Evanston.

Goals

• Increase the visibility of visual arts as another component of Evanston’s diverse cultural and economic activity
• Create a sense of community and belonging for Evanston artists
• Support emerging artists by producing events that create exposure and sales of their work

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions and thank you so much for making Evanston a more beautiful place.

Lisa Degliantoni

Open Studios Evanston, Producer

Evanston Arts Council, Co-Chair

openstudiosevanston@gmail.com

Won't you be my neighbor: Historic Oscar Mayer Mansion Lists for $1.75M

From http://chicago.curbed.com

It may not be the Wienermobile, but here's a chance to own the historic home that once belonged to Oscar G. Mayer Sr., the former chairman of the famous Oscar Mayer company. According to the listing, Mayer lived in the home from 1927 until his death in 1965, however it has sat vacant for many years. Located just steps away from Lake Michigan in suburban Evanston, the home certainly can use some TLC to get it back to its stately old charm. Interestingly enough, the home is being sold by court order, the listing hints. Unfortunately there are no interior shots, but it's pretty clear to see from the outside that the interior is likely in a very dilapidated state. Having sat vacant for so long, the old mansion has become the home to wild squatters — for instance this little fox who was caught burrowing under the front porch. The nearly 7,500 square foot six bedroom mansion hits the market this week for $1.75 million.

FOX News Chicago tours the house, see inside!

 

See more photos here