Created by Hyde Park Art Center, Not Just Another Pretty Face allows the Art Center to play matchmaker for artists and potential art buyers, facilitating a fun, accessible commissioning process that builds lasting relationships between artists and patrons, creates a new base of support for artists, and invests in the vitality of Chicago’s cultural community.
The program takes place every three years and is meant to involve a broad range of patrons and artists, with commissions ranging from in the hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. To date, the Art Center has raised over $700,000—half of which goes directly into the hands of artists, with the other half going to support Art Center programs. All of this results in an exhibition of the original works of art, a catalog documenting the process, and a lively event to unveil the finished pieces, which will make their way to the patrons’ homes following the exhibition. For more information click here
Pantsios Commission 2023, made with the patron’s vintage Japanese textiles. Approximately 55” x 45”. Hand quilted.
Shatzer Commission (above), 2023, approximately 35” x 60”, made from the patrons’ silk wedding gown and wool suit. Hand quilted.
Nelson Barrows commission 2019, 100% cotton, recycled and new materials. Machine pieced, hand quilted 72” x 72”
Jentes Karuna commission. 2016, 100% cotton new and recycled materials, 59" x 21"
Installation view, Jentes Karuna commission, 2016.
Hodges commission, 2013, recycled silk kimono fabric, hand quilted, 33" x 42"
Detail, Hodges commission, 2016.
Kanter McCormick commissions, 2013, recycled t-shirts, approximately 73" x 75"
Opening, Hyde Park Art Center, 2013