The Art Institute of Chicago has .pdf's of most of the catalogues from the Chicago & Vicinity shows that started in 1897. These were prestigious exhibitions for local artists. The museum stopped doing them in 1985, but they still have a glorious reputation among the local artists. Evanston Art Center hosts a biennial now that refers back to these shows. I have a piece in the current one.
I'm a nerd and I downloaded every catalogue they had from here: https://www.artic.edu/search/exhibitions?q=Chicago%20and%20Vicinity This is a trove of Chicago history and art history. On a more personal level, the last show in 1985 featured artists that I have met, are famous, or that taught me in art school. Michiko Itatani, Martyl, Eleanor Spiess-Ferris, Lee Grantham are standouts. Itatani, Spiess-Ferris, and Grantham are still active today. Some of the organizers and trustees of the earliest shows have names like Palmer, Potter, Burnham, Ryerson, Field and Wicker. The name, "Marshall Field," was continuous through the years. In year two, I saw Laredo Taft and Ivan Albright's father, A. E. One of the coolest trivia from the second catalogue is that the artists' addresses were listed! One lady had a studio in the tower of the Auditorium Theater! So. Jealous. Next, I'm going to dip into a postwar show during one of the golden ages of the arts in Chicago. Mies van der Rohe was developing the International Style in Chicago. Maholy Nagy immigrated with his designs influenced by the Bauhaus...1952... The catalogue doesn't have that many images. Vera Berdich is the only person I can recall hearing about. Now, I'm going to jump ahead a generation to 1971 and see who's showing. Oh my god! "Sam Gilliam, Artist" is listed as one of the jurors! Wow. Roger Brown, William Conger, and lots of interesting sculptors with Rauschenberg-type assemblages and a pop minimalist. Neato. Next, let's go back to the WWII era and see what's happening. 1944...Ha! The cover features a painting of happy servicemen returning to their friends and family at a port or something. Wait. There is one lady isolated in the middle of the painting holding two small children she looks very unhappy. Featured artists include Gertrude Abercrombie! Ivan Albright! Martyl. Oh, shit! Joan Mitchell showed a piece called Accordian Player. If that is The Joan Mitchell she was only 19 years old. Louise Dunn Yochim was in this show. She was one of the grand dames of Chicago art. I have one of her books. A very good year. I'll continue exploring these catalogues in my off time and learning more about Chicago art and artists.
0 Comments
I am very grateful to the curators for the opportunity to exhibit with so many artists that I've admired for years and to get to know the work of artists that are new to me. I saw their excellent exhibit space prior to installation when I dropped off Arctic Ice Sheet this morning. I am really excited to see the show! Come check it out. If you are planning to attend the opening, RSVP at the link below.
On view: August 26 – October 1, 2023 Opening Reception Sunday, August 27, 1-4 pm RSVP Our Biennial is one of the Midwest’s largest and most prestigious juried exhibitions, offering artists an opportunity to have their work viewed by three talented curators: Chantal Healey, Executive Director, Chicago Public Art Group Denny Mwaura, Assistant Director, Gallery 400, UIC Erica Warren, PhD, Art Historian, Curator, Editor, Craft Quarterly The following artists were selected by the jurors to exhibit their work in EAC’s Biennial: Alice Rebechini, Ann Blaas, Audrey Barcio, Beth Herman Adler, Brian Petrone, Carolyn Cronin Hughes, CoCo Ree, Delaina Doshi, Emma Rose Gudewicz, Erika Mulvenna, Gretchen Jankowski, Indira Johnson, Italav Langmar, Jacqueline Kott-Wolle, Jeanne Reilly, Jennifer Bock Nelson, Jerry Bleem, Jihyun Ra, Juliann Wang, Julie Mars, June Ahleman, Karen Perl, Katheran Lampert, Kevin Lyle, Kim Laurel, Liang He, Lorraine Peltz, Malika Jackson, Marco Bendin, Mariko Ventura, Mary Fedorowski, Mia Capodilupo, Michael Gallagher, Nelson Armour, Nikki Anderson, Peter Mudd, Ramin Takloo-Bighash, Raul Ortiz, Riva Lehrer, Robert Frankel, Robert Tanner, Ruth Lantz, Ruth Poor, Sarah Kaiser , Shelley Brucar, Steven Turner, Susan Bennett, Susan Marx, Tim Lowly, Vanessa Filley, Vivian Visser, William Weidner, Yiwei Wang, and Yvette Kaiser Smith. GALLERY HOURS & VISITOR INFORMATION This exhibition will be held in the First Floor Gallery of the Evanston Art Center (EAC). Masks are optional but strongly recommended for students, visitors and staff. Gallery Hours Monday–Thursday: 9am–6pm Friday: 9am–5pm Saturday–Sunday: 9am–4pm HOW TO PURCHASE ARTWORK Artwork sale proceeds benefit both the artist and the Evanston Art Center. If you are interested in purchasing artwork on display, please contact Emma Rose Gudewicz, Director of Development and Exhibition Manager, at [email protected] or (847) 475-5300 x 102. Elemental ImpactChicago Sculpture International Juried Exhibition at the Epiphany Center for the Arts
November 17, 2023 to January 13, 2024Entry deadline: September 9, 2023 Sculptors are invited to enter up to three works in the Chicago Sculpture International Juried Exhibition at the Epiphany Center for Arts Chicago, IL. Call for sculpture submissions for Elemental Impact at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago. This exhibition takes interest in the parts that make up the whole, and how a single element can impact the world at large. Much like a single choice in material or form can change an entire piece, each work in a collective can change and impact the whole by proximity. The works chosen for this exhibition will have a strong sense of material choice and presence that is both able to stand on its own while also engaging with its environment and the works around it in a way that fundamentally changes the experience of the space. The exhibit is being curated by Kaylee Fowler. If selected for the exhibition, artists must be a current CSI member or sign-up for membership. www.chicagosculpture.org/become-a-member An artist statement will be required for the accepted piece. About the gallery: Epiphany Center for the Arts 201 S. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 421-4600 Entry Requirements All entries will be submitted as digital images; jpeg for still sculpture, MP4 for kinetic works. Applications must include a sculpture information in the following form: .docx version | PDF version Contact information: artist’s name, email, website, and cell Example: FirstNameLastName_SublimeSculpture_3 materials, H x W x D inches and year completed. Please also include value of the piece for insurance purposes. Each entry must be saved as a jpeg with the file name in the following format: Artist’s name, title of work, and number of the entry, separated by underscore. Example: FirstNameLastName_SublimeSculpture_3 Please format jpegs to 300 dpi at 4”x 5” or 72 dpi at 1024 pixels in longest dimension. Limit length of MP4 files to 60 seconds max. Place application form along with images into a .zip compressed folder and email to: [email protected] Works must be under 7 feet tall to fit into the space. Any works over 60 pounds the artist must provide assistance/arrangements for moving works in and out of the space. Works can be suspended from the ceiling if under 40 pounds and provided that the hanging specifications are included in the proposal, so that the install team can advise if there needs to be any changes to the layout of the works. If the artist would like the work to be listed for sale for the duration of the exhibition, please include a retail price; Epiphany will take a 30% off of this price for any sales. Calendar Exhibition dates: November 17, 2023 to January 13, 2024 Opening Reception: Friday, November, 17th, 2023, 6-9pm Entry deadline: September 9, 2023, by 6 pm Email notification of acceptance: October 15, 2023 Delivery of Accepted Work: Saturday, November 11, 2023, 12-5pm and Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 12-5pm Pick-up of work: January 16 - 18, 11AM - 3PM Shipping address: Artists who choose to ship their work are responsible for shipping costs to and from the gallery on the given dates. Email [email protected] to coordinate shipping information and arrangements. Additional arrangements can be made for drop-off and pick-up. Contact the gallery at: [email protected] For general information about the exhibit: [email protected] In case I have to restock some of these beads, I am posting this bead order here so I don't lose it. Order #HAR-34222
YM210006/069019 Seed Bead #2100 6/0 69019 Aqua Transparent Copper Lined Iris (1/2 Kilo) - CLEARANCE YM210006/059439 Seed Bead #2100 6/0 59439 Peridot Transparent Copper Lined Iris (1/2 Kilo) - CLEARANCE YM210006/039039 Seed Bead #2100 6/0 39039 Light Sapphire Transparent Copper Lined Iris (1/2 Kilo) - CLEARANCE YM210011/002090-L Seed Bead #2100 11/0 02090 Alabaster Opal (1/2 Kilo) (LOOSE) - CLEARANCE YM210011/005051-L Seed Bead #2100 11/0 05051 White Satin (1/2 Kilo) (LOOSE) - CLEARANCE YM210010/002090-L Seed Bead #2100 10/0 02090 Alabaster Opal Transparent (1/2 Kilo) (LOOSE) - CLEARANCE YM210009/038649-L Seed Bead #2100 9/0 38649 Crystal Transparent Black Lined (1/2 Kilo) (LOOSE) - CLEARANCE YM210012/058205 Seed Bead #2100 12/0 58205 Crystal Transparent Iris (1/2 Kilo) - CLEARANCE YM210011/058205M Seed Bead #2100 11/0 58205M Crystal Transparent Matt Iris (1/2 Kilo) - CLEARANCE YM210010/058205-L Seed Bead #2100 10/0 58205 Crystal Transparent Iris (1/2 Kilo) (LOOSE) - CLEARANCE YM210008/002090 Seed Bead #2100 8/0 02090 Alabaster Opal Transparent (1/2 Kilo) YM210007/002090 Seed Bead #2100 7/0 02090 Alabaster Opal (1/2 Kilo) - CLEARANCE YM210008/032010 Seed Bead #2100 8/0 32010 Blue Opal Transparent (1/2 Kilo) - CLEARANCE Art-in-Architecture Program
401 South Spring Street, 3rd Floor Springfield, IL 62706 July 13, 2023 Subject: Letter of Intent for Request for Qualifications - Project 250-000-022 Dear Art-in-Architecture Program Administrators, I am writing to ask that you review my RFQ application materials on file for Project 250-000-022, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield, IL. I am eager to contribute my skills, expertise, and artistic vision to this initiative, specifically for either of the following sites:
Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to refining upcycled items into thoughtful artworks. My commitment to environmental awareness and sustainability aligns perfectly with the goals of Project 250-000-022. By integrating environmentally conscious themes and recycled materials into my artworks, I aim to create visually stunning pieces that convey a powerful message about protecting our natural resources. I am confident in my ability to collaborate effectively with professionals involved in this project to ensure a harmonious integration of art and architecture. I appreciate the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable public art landscape. I believe that my artistic vision, combined with my dedication to environmental stewardship, make me an ideal candidate for Project 250-000-022. Thank you for considering my application. We’d like to congratulate you on your acceptance into the 2023 Evanston + Vicinity Biennial!
The following piece has been accepted: Arctic Ice Sheet We encourage you to help us promote this event. We will email you an announcement card including the exhibition website link. Spread the word to family, friends, and acquaintances, or add an announcement to local bulletin boards throughout your community. Please note the following dates: August 16 – 20: Artwork delivered to Evanston Art Center (Mon-Thu 9am-6pm, Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm) August 21 – 25: Installation Sunday, August 27, 1 – 4pm: Opening Reception October 1: Biennial Exhibition closes October 2 – 3: De-Install and Artwork Pick Up Evanston Art Center reserves the right to refuse any work that differs from the submitted images. All accepted entries will be considered temporary loans to the EAC. The EAC will assume insurance responsibility for the exhibited object upon receipt and inspection and during the exhibition. The EAC loan form is attached. The following materials are due by Friday, July 27. Please email all materials to [email protected] - Completed Loan Agreement Form (form attached below) - Artist Bio - Artist Statement - High resolution image of artwork (300 dpi, 2000 pixels on the longest edge) I had to submit an artist statement for this show. I wrestled with chatgpt to temper the florid beast it spit out. It's still pretty over the top. With chatgpt you have to take a machete to the grandiose adjectives and adverbs. Artist Statement: Arctic Ice Sheet, Julie Mars Arctic Ice Sheet, a glass and acrylic bead mosaic, integrates my recent artistic exploration and environmental concern. Motivated by the urgent necessity to safeguard our planet’s vital climate, this piece captures the ethereal and diminishing ice cycles of the Arctic. The use of glass and reflective acrylic beads in Arctic Ice Sheet allows me to convey a dynamic interplay of light and texture, evoking the shimmering translucency of ice formations and the optical effects found in nature. Through the design of this artwork, I invite viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between human actions and the environment. Arctic Ice Sheet serves as a metaphorical mirror, reflecting our individual and collective responsibility to protect and preserve our planet's fragile ecosystems. As viewers engage with this mosaic, I hope to evoke a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world. The lustrous tones and intricate patterns invite contemplation, encouraging viewers to reflect on our species’ dependence on a temperate environment. Arctic Ice Sheet is a testament to the belief that art can serve as a catalyst for change. It is my hope that through this artwork, I can inspire others to embrace a more mindful and eco-conscious approach to both art and consumption. Together, let us recognize the profound beauty of our planet and take meaningful action to preserve it for generations to come. Julie Mars
GenderPop (left) will be in this show.
Inspired by Warhol JUNE 11 – JULY 28, 2023 The Elmhurst Artists’ Guild will exhibit artworks that reference Warhol’s work while also honoring each artist’s own aesthetic. This opportunity is open to both Elmhurst Artists’ Guild members and non-members. Artists are invited to create and submit up to two original artworks for exhibit consideration. Based on a review of the digital images and associated essays submitted, 54 pieces will be chosen by a jury panel to be displayed in the gallery.
The entire Floe series is home for a little while. I retrofitted some so they hang better on exhibition cables or acrylic sticks. In this video I was giving them a permanent space on the wall all together instead of just hanging around on the floor or leaning on the art ledge. I have one more 36 x 36" convex mirror. After I finish that, I'll be moving onto something else.
I'm not complaining. I'm just communicating the pitfalls involved in working with diverse post-consumer materials.
When I first conceived of the Floe series, I wanted to make the individual pieces so they could float, if I had the opportunity to exhibit them that way. Unfortunately, that became problematic when it comes to the many venues that hang shows on exhibition rods or from one point with a wire. Many of my mirrors came from a surplus stash from someone who used to owned an auto supply company. They were stored in such a way that there was some mildew growth on the masonite backing, and they had to be removed. I thought this was a plus anyway, because I was hoping to float the pieces at some point and that reduced the weight. Unfortunately, removing the backing made the mirrors much more likely to distort slightly on the wall if not hung as I intended. Reader, they often were not. Distorted installs bugged me so much that I've abandoned the possibility of floating this series. I may propose a commission for a floating piece in the future, but these have to be presented well now. I collaborated for some retrofitting ideas with ChatGPT and settled on this solution as fairly reliable, lightweight, and cheap. ChatGPT suggested that I epoxy a support ring of wood just under the diameter of the mirror but I had a smaller one that was 2/3 of the diameter on hand and tried it with that. I liked the results. It supports the piece well, reducing warping and holds wired D-ring strap hangers for installation on one hook, if necessary. I enjoyed the process of brainstorming retrofit ideas with ChatGPT. I usually avoid epoxy, but I needed something reliable that would hold the support to the mirror. It did feed me very bad ideas when I kept asking it for more extreme solutions like a more lightweight option. I have read how AIs can come up with some innovative solutions to games and other problems that people have not. I was testing it to see if it could blow my little mind with something unheard of. But no. I have added support rings and wired all of the 36x36 convex mirrors that didn't still have their original backings. They seem to be holding okay for now. The series feels more consistent and polished. I am applying to the EAC's Evanston & Vicinity Biennal and they are asking for an artist bio AND an artist statement, which seems redundant, but okay. (I *think* my suburban town qualifies as in the Evanston vicinity, but I'm not sure.)
I'm still on a Chat GPT tear. Me and the AI baked this confection from cutting and pasting my entire About Me page into the chatbot and asking it for a short elegant artist bio. This was after asking it for a "casual" artist bio that returned some hokey bullshit that sounded like it was from the deep South and then signed off with a "Cheers!" Bless its cold, hallucinating AI heart. A lot of this text came from pre chat AI copy so the result is relevant, plus, I've already tweaked it. "Julie Mars is a visionary artist with a profound dedication to environmentalism and upcycling. For over 30 years, she has cultivated a remarkable career as a creator, promoter, and entrepreneur in the arts. Her artistic journey revolves around the creation of unique woven bead mosaics on convex mirrors, vessels, and other objects. In the 90s, Mars found inspiration in environmentalism and upcycling, leading her to craft vibrant bottle tree fruits by embellishing single-serving juice bottles. Since then, her passion for repurposing and sustainable art has driven her to scour thrift stores, flea markets, and online platforms like eBay for large-scale items to transform into extraordinary bead mosaic artworks. Mars's profound appreciation for glass and reflective acrylic beads arises from their diverse colors, lusters, translucencies, and captivating optical effects. Continuously pushing the boundaries of her chosen medium, she has recently delved into installations and a captivating series of woven bead mosaics on convex mirrors, exploring new possibilities and expanding the horizons of her art. As a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Mars brings over 30 years of experience as an artist, gallerist, and museum administrator to her creative endeavors. Currently, she serves as the Director of Communications at the Addison Center for the Arts, where she passionately fosters and promotes the arts in the western suburbs. Driven by a deep passion for environmentalism and prioritizing the repurposing of post-consumer items, Mars endeavors to create pieces that not only bring aesthetic pleasure through innovative design but also inspire others to reflect on the impact of their choices on the environment. Through her captivating bead mosaics, she aims to spark a dialogue around sustainable art and demonstrate that post-consumer materials can be transformed into something truly beautiful. Ultimately, Mars's goal is to promote a more mindful and eco-conscious approach to art and consumption. You can learn more about Julie Mars and her captivating artwork at her web site, jamfinearts.com. Important dates about this show: IMPORTANT DATES Application Deadline: June 5, 2023 at Midnight Artist Notification: July 10, 2023 Exhibition Dates: August 26 - October 1, 2023 AWARDS Cash awards and cash equivalents will be presented. Awards, which may include Best of Show and Juror’s Merit categories, are given at the jurors’ discretion. From the final pool of selected applicants, the jurors will also award 3 artists, who have not exhibited at the Evanston Art Center in the past 5 years, with the opportunity to be included in an exhibition in our galleries. ELIGIBILITY The 26th Evanston + Vicinity Biennial is open to artists 18 years of age and older living in Illinois. All work must be original and completed within the last two years. All mediums accepted. A non-refundable entry fee of $35 is required from each artist. ACCEPTANCE Notification of acceptance will be emailed by July 10, 2023. A valid email address is required. CONDITIONS The Evanston Art Center (EAC) reserves the right to refuse any work which differs from the submitted images. All accepted entries will be considered temporary loans to the EAC. The EAC will assume insurance responsibility for the object upon receipt and inspection, and during the exhibition. The EAC is not liable for any claim for loss, theft or damage of any kind during transportation. The EAC will exercise the usual care in handling and will provide insurance coverage subject to EAC policy guidelines. It cannot be responsible for minor wear resulting from normal handling. PRESENTATION All selected work must be delivered in its final state ready for installation or hanging. If you decide to cover your work, framed pieces larger than 24” x 30” must be covered in Plexiglas, not glass. No dimension of any work may exceed seven feet. All sculptures exhibited must be able to be moved by two people; as the Evanston Art Center hosts many rentals in the gallery space, for the safety of the artwork, unmovable sculptures must be placed on wheels or a platform. Any special handling instructions must accompany the piece in writing. Artists will assume reasonable risk for damage for all unframed work and any other unconventional display preferences. Each entry must be clearly identified, where possible, on the bottom or back with artist’s name and title of work. The EAC reserves the right to reject previously accepted works due to inadequate framing / mounting or for security/public safety reasons. SALES Works will be for sale unless noted as NFS (not for sale) on the entry form. The EAC will retain a 35% commission on all sales from the exhibition. Payments to artists will be made after the closing of the exhibition. RETURN OF ACCEPTED WORK The exhibition closes October 1 at 4pm. All works not picked up will be placed in storage at the artist’s risk and expense and will be charged a $5/day storage fee. The EAC is not responsible for work left over 30 days beyond the close of the exhibition. |
artist
Julie Mars' current events, projects, & inspirations. Archives
July 2024
Categories
All
|