Inspired Art - Chicago

My friend, Brian, contacted me a few weeks ago about this amazing project he is putting together for the youth of Chicago. The basic concept of the project is to bring together the students and artists. The students all wrote poems (an amazing range of subject matter, at the very least you should read the poems - http://inspiredartchicago.wordpress.com/the-poetry/) and then artists have the opportunity to browse the poems and then select one to pair with a current piece of work or to create a piece based on the poem.

I can't get over how amazing this program is. It benefits everyone. America SCORES (the organization hosting this) get publicity and donations and most importantly, these kids get to feel really good about their writing in a very special circumstance. The artists get publicity, (a 20% cut if they so choose), a tax deduction for the donation AND they get to do something with these awesome kids!

If you are interested visit their blog - http://inspiredartchicago.wordpress.com/.

The For Artists section highlights what you can do to participate. The general time line is as follows:

July 1^st: Participant recruitment opens; SCORES begins accepting applications and pieces.

September 1^st: Submission Deadline for Cover Art Contest

September 10^th: Final deadline for interested artists to register and select a poem.

September 20^th: Final Deadline for submission of pieces to the Inspired Art Project.

October 1st: America SCORES Chicago’s first annual Inspired Art Show and Auction.

If you do not choose to participate please at least spread the word. This is an amazing cause and a lot more than just a charity auction, it's giving these kids a way to creatively express themselves and get rewarded for it.

I'll let you know which poem and piece I choose. After reading some of the poems I have a You Name It piece or two that I think will work well.

At the very least re-blog this on your blog or copy this information and send an email! Thanks!

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On another note - WE ARE FLYING HOME TODAY!!!!!! We leave our apartment in 30 minutes! Wow, I'm so excited!

Happy Weekend!

Kate