• You came to opening night, placed your bid, but want to make sure nobody outbids you this week.
• You see a piece you love online, and want to get your name on it while its a good deal.
• You see that top bidders on pieces get a free ticket to the Closing Reception and figure why not kill two birds with one stone.

David Springmeyer's Montmarte Steps, inspired by the poem "Yellow"

Last night, Inspired Art opened with “Meet the Artist Night”.   Dozens of artists and supporters filled the South Halsted Gallery (1825 South Halsted Street) for the first unveiling of this year’s collection.  Three pieces have already sold!

In addition to a remarkable variety and quality of work, this year’s show also features new ways to make the experience more immersive and accessible:

• An audio tour lets you listen to poets performing select works, letting you feel the power of their voice experiencing the artwork it inspired.
• Recorded artist statements also invite you inside their head as they explain their work and its connection to the students’ words.

The art auction, CDs of the poetry performances, greeting card sets, and prints of certain works all give you the chance to walk home with a piece of the inspiration.

Join us:

• Tonight:     6-10pm for Pilsen Arts District Artwalk
• Sept 15th:  5:30-9   for Open Gallery Hours
• Sept 22nd: 5:30-9   for Open Gallery Hours
• Sept 30th: 6:30pm for the Closing Reception and Auction

Nancy says:

“Fernando shows great courage in facing the future. He is honest and calls upon his “better self” to create a successful future.  In this artwork, it shows direction (arrows) the arrow sideways, shows the path that challenges us. The arrow UP shows the determination to Live our Best Dreams, turning them into reality.”

 If you had the chance to speak to the poet, what would you say to him?

“Fernando,  your poem is honest and engaging. I appreciate your creativity and insight.  It shares a common bond. We all are afraid of something, we all look at ourselves and see both sides, the dark and light.  I would like to recount a story of a wise man who was asked what to do by a young man, who told him there were two wolves fighting inside him.   One told him all the good things to do, the other told him bad and evil things.  The two sides inside him were waging a battle for his soul.  The young man asked the wise man, if he knew which one would win his soul? The wise man said, ‘the one you feed.’

Stay on the right path. Feed your body, mind and spirit, good things. Everything counts—even the little everyday actions.

Nancy Bechtol is an Photographer, Artist, Independent Video Producer, and Educator. She has a national and international exhibition record, including alternative venues and is a Professor in Digital Photography at The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago and Digital Media Specialist, with over 30 years experience.

*Subscribe to this page and keep checking back.  We will keep posting art as it arrives.  Inspired Art opens September 8th at South Halsted Gallery (1825 S. Halsted).

Meet the artists on September 8

Closing Reception & Auction
Friday, September 30
6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
$35 in advance, $50 at the door
Advance group discounts available

Tickets are available now.

You can read this poetry selection, browse last year’s art, and get excited for this year’s event, set for September 2011 at the South Halsted Gallery.

New to Inspired Art?  Read about the project here.

Interested in joining the project as an artist?  Please read the For Artists page for more information.  We’ll have artist applications available very, very soon!

Former SCORES poet-athlete Antuan with the piece he won – “A Wish” by Seana Higgins.

Becca Van Horn, on violin, accompanied Tova Katz’s vocals for the evening’s entertainment.

Meagan and her helpful assistant Kate, made the autumnal sushi, prosciutto with black mission figs, flourless chocolate torte, and miniature pumpkin pie bites.

Check back next summer as Inspired Art 2011 gets underway!

Tickets are $35 in advance and $50 at the door and include wine, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, art auction, live music, and door prizes.

Click Here to Buy tickets now .

Proceeds from Inspired Art will directly benefit America SCORES Chicago, providing free, creative writing and soccer after-school programming to students on the West Side.

South Halsted Gallery

Our lovely bartender and Development Board member, Jessica Nem, was in charge of the wine for the evening.

A special shout-out to Javier Enriquez (above center) for documenting the night. In addition to acting as unofficial photographer, his piece “The Universe on the Side” is featured on the program and flyers. 

Matt Raino from our Board of Directors stopped in to enjoy the art and chat with Harriet, a dedicated SCORES volunteer.

Don’t miss Closing Night, where Tova Katz (above) will be performing live music for all attendees.

Artist Benji Gonzales was inspired to create his piece by the poem “Darkness” from Edgar A., age 11.

SCORES staff Angela, Liz, and Eleni hope to see you on October 29th at 6:30 PM!

A Wish

Ceramic, Glaze, Decals, and Wood, 13″x9″x4″

Seana Higgins

seana.higgins@gmail.com

My Birthday

Today is my birthday
I am 11
But, the absence of peace
Surrounds me
Gunfire drowns
The sound of party poppers
Cries for help
Are my Happy Birthday song
The candles on my cake
Are the burnt hopes around me

Today is my birthday
I am 11
I close my eyes
Hold my breath
And make a wish
That I’ll be here next year
To turn 12

Karneil S., age 11
Corkery Elementary
(In writing this poem Karneil was responding to a challenge to imagine growing up in another country.  He wrote this poem from the perspective of a boy his own age living in Afghanistan.)