Art in Alternative Spaces
Art in Alternative Spaces
What is Anatomically Correct?
Mission Statement/Short History:
Anatomically Correct is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing artists, in a combined effort to diversify, educate and promote community awareness of the visual and performing arts, to bring communities together.
HISTORY
Now in its 32nd year of arts programming, Anatomically Correct began its art ventures by creating (the first of its kind in Illinois) public art exhibitions in lobbies and other freely accessible areas inside Chicagoland theaters. Eventually collaborating with over 20 prominent area theater companies, Anatomically Correct has presented over 500 exhibitions, showcasing the works of over 2,500 Illinois artists, reaching a combined audience of over five million people.
Its events are free to the public and often include performances by poets, musicians and performance artists. It is through this outreach that artists are exposed to a wider audience and audiences are exposed to new and exciting artists.
In 2006, Anatomically Correct was the first non-profit organization in Illinois to organize publicly accessible Art Walks where local artists displayed and sold their artworks in the windows of merchant spaces in Chicago and suburban storefront businesses including Highland Park, IL (HP Art Walk) from 2006-2012; Evanston, IL (Evanston Art Walk from 2008-2009); Chicago, IL (Southport Art Walk in 2010); and Skokie, IL (Skokie Art Walk in 2013). Through these Art Walks, businesses were able to support local artists by displaying their artworks in storefront windows, and in turn, these artists received immense exposure from street traffic (in a socially distanced outdoor setting).
In 2010, Anatomically Correct continued its efforts to find new and creative outlets for Illinois artists to show their works by presenting its first annual Plein Air Arts Festival, titled Brush with Nature. Now entering its 12th year, the program gives visitors a chance to watch Illinois artists create art on the spot in a socially distanced outdoor setting, while providing increased exposure for our artists to market and sell their artworks. Our Brush with Nature events are always well attended and receive favorable media coverage. (For reference, excellent video footage of a previous event was produced by WGN Television and aired on July 9, 2017 - closed captioned available. The video is also featured on the television’s website: http://wgntv.com/2017/07/09/fundraiser-serves-up-pancakes-with-a-side-of-nature/
In 2018, we organized Skokie Rocks!, a community-wide arts program, inviting persons of all abilities to create hand-painted rocks and label them SkokieRocks.org. “Rockers” are encouraged to hide their rocks in a Skokie public park. “Rock Hunters” are invited to seek out the rocks, post and view images of the found rocks on our Facebook public social media page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/337581650006202. Our website SkokieRocks.org provides instructions on the program.
Anatomically Correct partners with cultural and performing arts institutions, along with parks and recreational institutions. Our partner facilities are ADA compliant. Anatomically Correct continues to engage new audiences through its programs and workshops while providing FREE access for communities to meet Illinois’ talented artists.
AWARDS
In 2021, Anatomically Correct was presented with the 2021 AWARD FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE from the Village of Skokie's Skokie Fine Arts Commission in recognition for our "tireless dedication to promoting arts in Skokie and the surrounding area, and for supporting local artists in their work". The organization will be added to the list of previous award winners on a plaque displayed in the NorthShore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL.
In 2002, Anatomically Correct received an award from the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago, (signed by Victor Skrebneski) as thanks and in recognition of our 7 consecutive years of arts programming in the theater's gallery.
Also, in 2002, Anatomically Correct received the award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in Chicago from the Friends of the Arts organization.
Anatomically Correct has presented over 500 exhibitions, showcasing the works of over 2,500 Illinois artists, reaching a combined audience of over five million people. Anatomically Correct's exhibitions are unique as they are held in complement to community events and/or theatrical productions. Anatomically Correct has presented exhibitions at the Apollo Theatre, Athenaeum Arts Complex, Chicago Dramatists, Devonshire Cultural Center, Emily Oaks Nature Center, Gilda's Club Chicago, The Goodman Theatre, Lake Bluff/Lake Forest Historical Society, Northlight Theatre/North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Paramount Arts Centre, Skokie Public Library, and Steppenwolf Theatre to list only a few. Anatomically Correct has collaborated with area non-profits to present exhibitions and participated in fund-raising events for the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, Help Hospitalized Veterans, Residents for Emergency Shelter (R.E.S.T.), Women for Women Foundation, Cure Autism Now and Autism Speaks.
Our Art Walks are juried exhibitions of artwork by Illinois artists displayed in local businesses. Events include Make and Take art workshops for kids and performances by musicians, singers, dancers, poets, and comics. Since 2006, Anatomically Correct has presented the annual Highland Park Art Walk (HP Art Walk) in Highland Park, IL (2006-2012); Evanston Art Walk in Evanston, IL in 2008 and 2009 and Southport Art Walk in 2010; and the Skokie Art Walk in 2013.
Anatomically Correct organizes open mic performances which include singers, musicians, dancers, poets and comedians.
Anatomically Correct's Brush with Nature Art Festival is a plein air painting and sketching event that brings artists and visitors together with nature in an outdoor setting. Events are held in forest preserves, nature centers, parks, zoos, beaches and private gardens. Plein air painting workshops are also offered.
Skokie Rocks is an ongoing community-wide, diversity based, outreach arts program where families and persons of all ages and abilities are invited to design, paint, hide and seek painted river rocks. Rock painters are asked to label the underneath side of their rocks with skokierocks.org before hiding them in and around Skokie’s parks and walking trails. “Rock Hunters” are invited to seek out the rocks, post, share and view images of the found rocks on our Skokie Rocks Facebook public social media page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/337581650006202 The Skokie Rocks program is ongoing, and through social media, is a safe and socially distanced way for individuals of different communities and languages to connect and communicate through art who might not otherwise have anyone or anything in common. Skokie welcomes everyone.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS
Out of the Box - Our program is designed to help students learn to think "out of the box", nurture their creative spirit and boost their self-esteem. The program brings portable art exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations into K-8 and High Schools in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Programs often nclude a professional "Visiting Artist" who will work with students on a specific art project.
Plein air painting workshops by professional artists are also offered to students wanting to improve their craft.
ARTIST SUPPORT - Featured Artists' On-Line Gallery
Our on-line gallery provides a marketing tool for artists to promote their work. Our foster program shows artists how to market their work, develop a portfolio and prepare their work for public exhibition. Anatomically Correct also provides exposure for its Artists through its arrangements with publishing companies, online media sources, music and television corporations.
Anatomically Correct is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. ©2022-2023 Anatomically Correct. No text or photograph contained in the pages of this website may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the artist and/or Anatomically Correct.
