World-renowned poster artist Jay Ryan, named one of Chicago Magazine’s 2008 “Cultural Heroes,” is putting his art to work for Oakton Elementary School in Evanston.
Ryan, who has made a living making posters for bands and music clubs, has made a one-of-a-kind poster for the Oakton PTA to use in the 3rd annual “For the Love of Oakton” silent auction.
The event raises money to fund its Artist-in-Residence program as well as other programs which benefit the students.
For the past two years, Oakton School has partnered with Chicago-based multidisciplinary arts group, Striding Lion, as its artist-in-residence.
This year, Striding Lion returns for a third year helping the students create an original performance piece based on the living organisms unit in the science curriculum.
The residency will incorporate learning and expressing science concepts through movement and music while creating an original work written, choreographed and performed by the students.
Ryan is creating a screen printed, signed and numbered poster that will be available at “For the Love of Oakton.” The event is Saturday, Feb. 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the school, 436 Ridge Ave.. For more information on the event, contact Robyn Hurtig at robynm2@yahoo.com.
More information about Ryan’s work is available on his website.
Oakton poster rocks
First off, Julie Fleetwood and the other Oakton parents are some kind of wonderful. What great contributions they make. Our schools would be so much better if more parents would follow their example.
Second, that poster is gorgeous. It has great artistic merit and the reading Oakton cougar — what a perfect tie-in with the school’s mascot. Not only is it excellent on its own, but it stylistically echoes the wonderful Roland’s song murals in the gym and the wonderful arts and crafts tiles that decorate the school.
You could turn this into a bas-relief tile, plug it in anywhere in the school’s halls and it would fit right in. The school is a real artistic masterpiece and this poster is a wonderful complement!
Jay Ryan
Is a FANTASTIC artist, I have been a fan of his work for many years. The poster is amazing. It is so nice to see this happening.
Love of Oakton
Oakton is an AMAZING school community and that poster is a fitting tribute! Go Cougars!
Come to the event!
I encourage everyone to come to the auction and event today! I was helping with setup last night and cannot get over the amazing items that are available. There’s jewelry and clothing from local artists and designers, vacation packages, restaurant gift certificates, an incredible assortment of children’s items, sports memorabilia, entertainment tickets, and probably several dozen things I’m forgetting. Aside from being an opportunity to help our school’s artist-in-residence program, it’s actually a really nice chance to scoop up some deals on local offerings.
Hope to see a good number of folks there!