City news
Call for Art: Submit Your Designs for the 2026 West Chicago Art Banner Exhibit
The City of West Chicago invites artists to participate in its annual Call for Art for the 2026 West Chicago Art Banner Exhibit, a signature public art program organized by the City’s Cultural Arts Commission. Each year, this exhibit highlights original work from regional and national artists and transforms downtown West Chicago into a vibrant outdoor gallery.
To coincide with America 250 (the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence), the theme for the 2026 exhibit is:
“Red, White, Blue / Rojo, Blanco, Azul”
Artists are encouraged to explore this theme through any medium or style, whether abstract, narrative, symbolic, or expressive. Selected artworks will be reproduced as 36-inch by 72-inch vertical streetlight pole banners that will be displayed throughout West Chicago’s downtown.
About the Exhibit
All submissions will be reviewed by a juror selected to curate the 2026 exhibit. A collection of pieces will be chosen for installation as part of the WeGo Art Banner Exhibit. During the display period, community members will be invited to vote for their favorite artwork. The piece receiving the most votes will be recognized as the People’s Choice Recipient for the 2026 exhibit.
Submission Guidelines
Artists may submit up to three pieces of original artwork for consideration. Each piece must be submitted separately. Please review the following requirements:
- Minimum resolution of 2160 by 3024 pixels at 72 DPI
- Vertical orientation is required
- Photographed artwork should be well lit
- AI-generated artwork will not be accepted and will be removed from consideration
How to Submit
All artwork submissions are due by Monday, February 2, 2026 using the online form at:https://westchicago.org/artbannerexhibit/. Each piece of artwork entered requires a separate submission.
Questions may be directed to the City’s Events and Cultural Programs Manager at cultural@westchicago.org.
Part of a Larger Creative Movement
This Call for Art is one of several open creative invitations in West Chicago. The City is also inviting community members to participate in a Call for Talent and a Call for Vendors that will help build a diverse network of artists, performers, makers, and small businesses for future programs and events.
Together, these efforts support a more vibrant and inclusive community and strengthen the role of arts and culture in shaping West Chicago’s identity.