John Preus. “The Beast,” carpet padding, lumber, material from 54 closed Chicago Public Schools, 2014/Photo: Tom van Eynde
The Chicago Artists Coalition and OtherPeoplesPixels have announced the 2014 recipients for their annual Maker Grant, which is partially funded through the CAC’s Starving Artist Fundraiser and a matching contribution from OPP. Given to two Chicago-based artists each year, this funding allows them to pursue more conceptually or socially propelled projects that may not be as easy a source of revenue through the art market. The CAC conceives of a developed career for artists in broad terms, beyond just commercial salability. John Preus has been granted this year’s $3,000 award, and Maria Gaspar the $1,000 award. Preus was recently profiled in Newcity about his residency at the Hyde Park Art Center. Accompanying his time at the Center is his sweeping bull-shaped architectural intervention, “The Beast” (on view through August 3). “The Beast” is not only a large-scale sculpture, it also houses a full calendar of social happenings including concerts, lectures, storytelling, discussions and other events.
Maria Gaspar. “I Look for These Past Hands,” 2013
Maria Gaspar has received $1,000 in grant funding. Gaspar’s interdisciplinary project addresses social justice. Her funding will offset production costs for a new video about the Cook County Jail, connected to her recent audio documentary “Cook County Jail: The Visible and Invisible.”
This year’s Starving Artist event will be held on Saturday, June 21. More information about this year’s fundraiser here. (Matt Morris)
