WINTER 2003

Executive Director's Report

Dear Friends,

October 22, 2002 was a special day for the Northwest Cultural Council. The Council was awarded a grant from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago (JCCC) for its "Kids Meet Art" program. The ceremony took place in the Michigan Room of the University Club in Chicago.

It was especially meaningful to me because our Board member Yoshitsugu Kimata is also a board member of the JCCC and he presented the award on behalf of the JCCC.

Of the 98 applicants, 21 organizations were awarded gifts. Since the JCCC Foundation's inception in 1991 it has awarded 300 grants totaling $1,726,808.00 to 207 Chicago and suburban area schools and non-profit organizations. The foundation is funded by gifts from member Japanese Corporations. It is their way of giving back to the community in which they prosper.

After hearing Dr. Else Hamayan, Executive Director of the Illinois Resource Center, explain the process she and her committee use to review the applicants before the JCCC foundation makes the final selections, we came away with a new respect for the work of our organizations. We had all passed a rigorous set of standards.

Mr. Susumu Saito, secretary of the JCCC Foundation said, "It is very encouraging to see institutions like Northwest Cultural Council offering innovative educational programs that increase understanding of our multicultural world."

Thank you Yoshi Kimata and the Board of Directors of the JCCC. We are honored to have been a recipient of this generous gift which will allow us to continue teaching children in the Northwest Corridor respect for the beauty and culture of Japan.

Sincerely,

Kathy Umlauf
Executive Director

The Doors Open on NWCC's Twelfth Gallery                                     Sharon Findley Kirmse

The Northwest Cultural Council has announced the opening of its twelfth corporate gallery in the Elmwood Park Public Library, Peter N. Silvestri Cultural and Learning Center.

An after-hours reception gave guests the opportunity to enjoy browsing among the many works of art which were displayed in the impressive new prairie style facility.

Guests were treated to a delicious buffet of hors d'oeuvres and sweets prepared by popular Elmwood Park caterer, Elmcrest Banquets by Biancalana, while they enjoyed the lovely melodies of Chicago Lyric Opera harpist, Mary Jo Green.

NWCC artist Bert Coons was instrumental in developing the alliance between the library and the Council. A 42-year resident of Elmwood Park, he has always been concerned about local municipal development and maintained a close association with the village. His concern certainly worked to the benefit of Council artists when a new library was planned.

Bert saw construction of the new facility as an opportunity to expand our exhibits. The beautiful new space is large enough to accommodate both group shows of multiple artists and the exhibition of larger pieces which are displayed to great advantage in the sparkling, glass-encased stairwell.

The artist credits Village President Peter N. Silvestri and Village Manager Jay Dalicandro for embracing his suggestion with great enthusiasm. Along with library Executive Director Frank Varela, who is a published poet and dedicated supporter of the arts, they agreed to meet with our Executive Director, Kathy Umlauf, to discuss the place artwork would play in their new building.

Village and library leaders visited both our home gallery and the Unilever gallery and were impressed with what they saw. The agreement was made to add the new site to our exhibit schedule.

Although Bert is modest is describing his role in bringing about the agreement, his efforts have allowed us to extend our reach to the community we serve. Kathy Umlauf stated: "A special thank you to Bert Coons for his caring nature regarding the well being and growth of the Council, and for being sensitive to opportunities for NWCC artists."

WELCOME
NWCC 2003 CORPORATE GALLERY ARTISTS

Each year the Council invites local artists (those living within a 100 mile radius of our gallery) to consider joining our Corporate Gallery Program. They are asked to submit their slides and work to a jurying process of professional artists.
After the slides are reviewed, the chosen artists are requested to bring 3 samples of their work to the gallery for the final selection. We are pleased to announce the names of the new artists invited to join our program and display their work at the 12 NWCC Corporate Galleries.

Name                                                  Medium
Ellen Roth Deutsch                              Colored Pencil
Arlene Sue Gianni                                Oil
Dick Gunther                                       Photography
Robert Krawczyk                                Computer Art
Dennis Marlaire                                   Oil
Beverly Miotke                                   Watercolor
Bobberate Monley                              Acrylic
Didier Nolet                                        Oil
Barbara Schneider                               Fiber
Cassandra Scott                                   Photography
Sharon White                                       Photography

And we also welcome back two NWCC artists that had taken a leave of absence, Nancy Rayborn and Eileen Plogman.

The 2003 Corporate Gallery artists' work will be on view at both the NWCC gallery and Kimball Hill Gallery, 5999 New Wilke Road, #307 and #308, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, January 13 to February 25, 2003 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-3 p.m.b

Join us in a toast to our new artists on Saturday, February 22, 1-4 p.m. at the NWCC and Kimball Hill galleries. There is no admission fee and refreshments will be served. For further information call the gallery at 847/956-7966.