Art Odyssey News
Art Odyssey will be sponsoring ongoing fund raising events for the purpose of awarding scholarships to young artists interested in pursuing professional direction. In keeping with our mission we will have student artists exhibiting along with professionals. The professionals will act as mentors in future exhibits. Recently, we have been fortunate to award our first scholarship to Daniel Davidson. Daniel will be attending the University of Wisconsin in Fall 2008.
This year we are building a collaboration with the Chicago Board of Education, Office of Fine Arts. Pending funding, Art Odyssey will create and teach projects inspired by the historic Progressive and WPA Murals located in the Chicago Public Schools.
The Progressive Era lasted from 1904 - 1933 and the WPA from 1933-1943. Besides employing thousands of workers in public projects, the Works Progress Administration also supported artists who created murals, prints, sculptures, plays, music and literature.
One priceless archive of American Art murals, located in the Chicago Public Schools, was restored by the Chicago Conservation Center.
This effort and collection of Art is described in detail in "Art for the People" by Heather Becker. Heather followed Barry Bauman as Director of the Center, and continued his efforts to restore the murals. WPA art exists throughout the United States in post offices, schools, park districts and government buildings, but the most comprehensive collection is in the Chicago Public Schools.
We continue to fundraise for programs inspired by the Progressive and WPA Murals. Thus far, we are working with Sawyer and Tilton Elementary Schools and Kelly and Schurz High Schools. Lookingglass Theatre Company will plan theatre projects for the elementary schools, and John DePinto will work with the high schools.
Recently, Art Odyssey comprised the Fine Arts Panel at Kelly High School Career Night. We hope the young artists present were encouraged by role models and positive career connections and will pursue their talents.
In other news,
We are pleased to welcome our latest Art Odyssey Board Member, Cathy Sorich. Cathy is an artist.
We continue to seek board members who believe in consistent art education as a viable pathway to success in the arts, and who see the arts as a crucial component to a complete education and personal well-being. We have formed an Advisory Council with Carlos Chavarria, Ben Chou, Ron Hill, Jennifer Nickson, Chris Pusateri, and Bill Dolan to support our endeavors.
Art Odyssey is currently involved with Dick Blick Art Supplies and Utrecht Art Supplies in creating Juried Students' Art Exhibits. Exhibiting schools include Evanston District 65 Elementary Schools, ETHS, Mays Academy, CPS, Jones College Prep, Latin School of Chicago, and Catherine Cook School. Please contact us if you know any schools interested in exhibiting student work.
Art Odyssey also sponsors exhibits of professional artists and students. Exhibiting artists include Pat Rose, Joseph Michaels, Inpio Hong, Allan Teske, Judd Siegel, Suvi Konttinen, Julianne Ingles, Bill Dolan, Nick Bridge, Bobberate, Edna Porter, Zia Sadaff, Robert Lait, Makeba Kadeem DuBose, and Eleni Vryza. If you wish to be added to the mailing list, please contact us at artodyssey@comcast.net.
