Wicker Park Bucktown Presents Make Believe: Reactivating Vacant Spaces In Wicker Park Bucktown Exhibit Opening July 15, 2010 July 15, 2010

In response to the tremendous number of retail vacancies, WPB (Wicker Park Bucktown Special Service Area #33) launched a program aimed at reactivating these spaces by repurposing them for one of the coolest art contests Chicago has ever seen. The project is called Make Believe and it is opening July 15, 2010.
The exhibit opening will be celebrated with an opening night party (details below).
The public is invited to enjoy juror-selected art installations throughout the WPB neighborhoods from July 15-October 29, 2010 and vote online for their favorite—the winner will receive Chicago’s largest art prize ($5,500).

The aim of Make Believe is to reinvigorate these empty spaces and bring positive attention to the WPB neighborhoods with the end goal of helping to populate these spaces.
WPB hopes to heighten neighborhood pride, support local businesses, improve the pedestrian experience, garner exposure for vacant retail spaces and support the arts community. In addition, this fantastic art installation will improve the overall quality of the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods.

Finalists whose work has been installed in multiple vacant retail locations throughout the Wicker Park Bucktown neighborhood.

The public is invited to the opening celebration on July 15 at Pint Pub and to view and vote on the work throughout the neighborhood for the run of the show, July 15 – October 29.

Wicker Park Bucktown’s Make Believe Project(www.makebelieve.wegotitinwpb.com)provides an innovative approach to convert unused space into creative public spaces. Artist finalists were selected through an open application process followed by a juried review or renowned Chicago art professionals. The theme for the proposed use of space was RE:Imagining .The public can vote online for their favorite installation throughout the run of the show. The installation with the most votes will be awarded $5,500.

WPB, the special service area for the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods, exists to sustain and promote the prosperity and unique qualities of life of the Wicker Park Bucktown neighborhood and commercial district, whilst preserving its diverse character for the benefit of its residents, visitors, and businesses through the wise and discerning investment of resources to enhance the community’s public ways.