FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New Massive Art Exhibition to expose Talents of Illinois’ High School Student Artists

ZHOU B ART CENTER

Chicago, Illinois – February 23, 2014 – The pursuit of a common goal, and a common experience is what drove Chris Sykora and John Zilewicz, the founders of a new statewide high school arts exhibition, to bring their idea to fruition.

Both Sykora and Zilewicz are high school art teachers, from Deerfield High and Niles West High, respectively. This idea started just over a year ago and through collaboration with visual arts teachers from Chicago, the duo were able to make their dream a reality.

In its first year, The Illinois High School Arts (IHSA) will host a show including artwork from 325 student artists that each attend one of 65 high schools in the Chicagoland area.

A show of this scale has never been done before in Illinois.

“Our goal was to make a show that praises and promotes the successes of Illinois’ High school art programs in the same way that high school sports programs are recognized,” says Jonathan Reiman, Art Teacher at Kenwood Academy High School and Public Relations Director for the IHSA. “We wanted to encourage the talent that our state has and promote futures within the arts.”

The exhibition, which will run from February 21^st to February 28^th at the Zhou B Art Center located at 1029 W. 35^th St, in Chicago’s historic Bridgeport neighborhood would not have happened without the support and contributions of Stephen Murphy a veteran art teacher from New Trier High School; InJung Oh of the Oh Art Foundation; and Sergio Gomez, Director of Exhibitions for the Zhou B. art Center and the Zhou Brothers among others.

In addition to the exhibition, Benjamin Jaffe, Art Teacher at Senn High School and Senior Portfolio Director for the IHSA, has worked diligently to develop a senior scholarship program where seniors in high school can submit portfolios of their art for review by over 25 colleges and universities across the country. These schools then have the opportunity to award students scholarships that range from partial to full tuition.

“We are ecstatic that the arts are finally being recognized in Illinois,” says Reiman. “We set out with a goal, and through the enormity of the exhibition, we can claim success. Our mission is full of ambition, and we have great plans for the coming years.”

Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony
Sunday, February 23, 2014

The Zhou B Art Center, 
2nd Floor Gallery
1029 W. 35th Street
Chicago, IL 60609

When:
2-6 pm

For more info: http://www.ihsrartexhibition.org/

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