Arts in the Dark Parade: Spotlight in the Dark

About the Open Call

Elephant Room Gallery, supported in part by Chicago Printers Guild and Englewood Arts Collective, is bringing together a visual artist cohort to participate in the 'Arts in the Dark Parade' on Saturday, October 18th, 2025! Our presentation is titled 'Spotlight in the Dark: Discover Chicago Visual Artists'. This call is open to all Chicago area visual artists. We need artists to be in the parade and up to 50 artists willing to create bold and impactful work on 18" x 24" foam board that will be carried in the style of picket signs. Please note that the number of signs we have available are limited so if your work does not get selected, you can still participate in the parade. For artists who are unable to create work but want to be in the parade, you are welcome to! Please just indicate that on this form. We will be providing the foam board for you to create on and as an option, we will be scheduling a meet up to socialize and create work together at the gallery. Share your artwork idea with us! Your piece should represent you as an artist but be created with the parade audience in mind. Consider that your work will be viewed quickly by spectators when it is getting dark out so fine details may be lost, however, we will have a number of flashlights to light up the work with movement to expound on the Spotlight theme. The artwork from the parade will also be exhibited at Elephant Room Gallery for 1 to 2 weeks in November. More details on that will follow. 'Now in its 11th year, Arts in the Dark is a magical evening parade celebrating Halloween as the “artist’s holiday” and draws together world-renowned institutions, celebrated Chicago organizations, important youth programs, and aspiring artists across every field. It is a dazzling production that delights an audience over 100,000 with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances – all set against the backdrop of historic State Street.'

What is Offered

Opportunity to participate in 'Arts in the Dark Parade', foam board provided, and exhibition of artwork at Elephant Room Gallery.

Requirements

Commitment to being in the parade on Saturday, October 18th from 6 to 8pm (staging starts at 4:15pm). Create artwork on an 18" x 24" foam board if selected, representing the artist with the parade audience in mind. Open to all Chicago area visual artists.

How to Apply

Submit this form by September 18th with your artwork idea and concept. Indicate if you wish to create artwork or just participate in the parade.