Juried Competition Begins: Chicago Artists’ Coalition Seeks 20 Artists

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For artists living and working in Chicago—or anywhere really—it is crucial in this contemporary climate that we have the knowledge and the capacity to determine the trajectory of our own careers into ones in which our livelihoods can be supported, or more importantly, can flourish. The Chicago Artists’ Coalition, through its vast array of services and programming, is committed to helping to provide the tools necessary for art careers that are not only proficient in the craft and concepts of the studio and the gallery, but also in real-life experience and professional confidence. With the CAC offices and the Coalition Gallery newly in the same Wicker Park building, the focus on, and the availability of the gallery have expanded in time for the Second Annual CAC Coalition Gallery program.

Meredith Dytch, "Ashland Alley"

A competitive, juried competition, the CAC Coalition Gallery program is a selection of twenty artists who will be the sole exhibitors in the 1100 square foot space for the entire year. Artists chosen will be responsible for being present in the space during gallery hours to interact with audiences, and also prepare and maintain the space along with very small monthly dues. But the artists are hardly alone in managing their exhibitions. The CAC provides support all along the way, including guest curators and the (always essential) marketing of the shows; access to the huge network of the CAC guarantees audiences of artists, art professionals, and art buyers. Coalition Gallery artist Allison Svoboda, whose exhibition at the space with Diane Huff entitled “Organic Matter” just ended, explains that exhibiting with the gallery “has been pivotal in [her] career as an emerging artist,” and that even though she has been exhibiting throughout the city, through her experience at the gallery she has “made many contacts and gained a deeper understanding of the art world.” Svoboda also says that she and her fellow artists were able to be a part of “opportunities such as Pop-Up Art Loop, an initiative of the Chicago Loop Alliance, and exposure at River East Art Center and the Prudential Plaza.”

“Friday Night, Meredith Dytch

The deadline for the Coalition Gallery application is June 30, 2010, and it is free for members to apply. Also, you must become a member to apply, which is quick and easy, and also guarantees that (chosen for the Coalition Gallery program or not) you will have the benefit of being involved with all the professional programming and exhibitions offered by the CAC, including very exciting upcoming events and opportunities to be announced this summer.

Austin Office Building, Juliette Herwitt

To get a feel for Chicago Artists’ Coalition as well as the Coalition Gallery space and programming, “Urban Eyes,” work by Meredith Dytch and Juliette Herwitt, curated by Susan Aurinko, is on display now through July 17, 2010 at Coalition Gallery, and also has an open house with an Artists’ Talk scheduled for July 11. Dytch, a licensed architect-turned-painter, displays oil paintings based on the reality of living in the city of Chicago. Sometimes the imagery of Dytch’s works are of what we know to be the iconic parts of the city, like downtown bridges, while many others are the things that we don’t quite realize are a part of our everyday landscape, like lonely, dirty loading docks, or empty alleyways. In contrast to the drab realities of Dytch, Herwitt’s paintings thrive on contrast and drama. With an emphasis on the artificial light of the urban environment, Herwitt blurs faces and places, but through their cropping that mimics the urban pedestrians’ range of vision, they become so very familiar.

The deadline for Coalition Gallery application is June 30, 2010. The First Round of Finalists is notified July 9 and the final selection is chosen July 30 to begin their tenure September 1, 2010. See the Coalition Gallery website for more detailed information. To become a member, visit http://chicagoartistscoalition.org/join. “Urban Eyes” in on display June 17 through July 17, 2010 at Coalition Gallery, 2010 W. Pierce Street, Chicago. The Open House for this exhibition is July 11, 2010 from 2-5 pm.