Art Loop Open: New Prizes + Registration Extended!

CHICAGO, IL (August 23, 2010) - The inaugural Art Loop Open, presented by Chicago Loop Alliance and Chicago Artists' Coalition, is proud to announce a series of ten additional new monetary and exhibition exposure awards to be granted to artists participating in this major new public art exhibition and competition taking place downtown, October 15–29, 2010.

It was also announced that the artists' registration period has been extended a week, through September 7. Artists are invited to learn more about participating by visiting ArtLoopOpen.com.

The additional awards are as follows:

The Richard H. Driehaus Prize for Representational Art
Presented and judged by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, this $5,000 cash prize will be awarded to the artist with the best 'representational work.'

The WIT Prize
Presented and judged by theWit Hotel, this $5,000 cash prize will be awarded to the artist whose work best reflects the concept of 'WIT'- the power of thinking and reasoning, intellectual and perceptive, humor and intelligence.

Art Chicago | NEXT Prize
The winning artist, selected by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), will have his/her artwork exhibited in the Chicago Artists' Coalition booth at Art Chicago/NEXT April 28 - May 2, 2011.

Artropolis Prize
The winning artist, selected by MMPI, will receive an extended exhibition within a public space at the Merchandise Mart from November 2010 through the duration of Artopolis in the spring of 2011.

One of A Kind Prize
The winning artist, selected by MMPI, will receive a booth at the 2010 One of A Kind Show, December 2 -  5, 2010.

Hard Rock Hotel Prize
The winning artist, selected by the Hard Rock Hotel, will exhibit a piece and/or collection of their work for one year in one of the hotel's suites, along with an opening reception at the suite and a two-night stay.

The CADA Choice (four awards)
The Chicago Art Dealers Association (CADA) is an arts organization comprised of the city's foremost visual arts dealers. One winning artist will be chosen by each of four galleries—Catherine Edelman Gallery, Packer Schopf Gallery, Roy Boyd Gallery and Perimeter Gallery—for a one-month exhibit in their respective galleries, between November–December 2010.

From October 15–29, Art Loop Open invites the public to "Visit, View and Vote!" at 10 downtown venues, and not only admire local artists' works but also interact with them and each other via cutting-edge technology and public programming. Participating venues are Block 37, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, Hotel Burnham, Macy's, Merchandise Mart, MetraMarket, Palmer House, the Hotel Allegro, theWit Hotel, and W Chicago-City Center.

During the week of October 15-21, visitors to the Loop will be encouraged to vote on their favorite selections utilizing state-of-the-art social media tools designed by the IIT Institute of Design. Then, from October 22-28, the top 10 vote-getters will compete in a week-long final round of voting. Three winners, as chosen by the public, will be announced at an awards ceremony, Friday, October 29. The winners of the additional prizes will be announced at that time, as well.

Supporters
Art Loop Open is made possible through generous support from The Chicago Community Trust, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Blick Art Materials, and the State Street Commission, the governing body of the State Street Special Service Area.

Artists interested in participating should visit ArtLoopOpen.com for registration information.