In an ongoing effort to engage the local arts community, Andersonville’s Swedish American Museum, in collaboration with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, is seeking artists to create an original work of art in any medium inspired by an object from the Museum’s permanent collection. Interested artists must fill out an application outlining their interest in the project and provide samples of previous work. Entries will be evaluated by a jury committee and 10-12 will be selected to create pieces for display at the Museum during the sixth annual Andersonville Arts Weekend, Oct. 3-5, 2008. One completed piece will be selected for use as the visual artwork for all promotional materials related to Andersonville Arts Weekend, part of Chicago Artists Month. In addition, at least one artist will be submitted to the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs as a candidate to be a featured artist for the Chicago Artists Month event in October 2008. Featured artists receive a wide array of exposure through the promotion of the event and at special events throughout the month.

Completed applications with samples of previous work are due by Friday, May 16. The jury will convene in late May at which time the participating artists will be selected. On the evening of Thursday, May 29, the Museum will host an informational event for the participating artists to introduce the Museum, select an object from their collection on which to base the artwork, and take promotional photos which will be displayed at the Museum during the annual Midsommarfest street festival June 14-15. To be considered for the Andersonville Arts Weekend cover art, completed pieces will be due by Friday, Aug. 22. Otherwise all completed pieces will need to be into the Museum by Friday, Sept. 26. The pieces will be on display from Andersonville Arts Weekend through Oct. 31.

For a detailed information sheet and application form, please click here. You can also contact Jason at the Andersonville Chamber at 773-728-2995 or email him This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it