The purpose of the Cultural Arts Commission is to:

1. Establish, initiate, sponsor, organize, and promote cultural and artistic programs and services for the enrichment and enjoyment of the Oswego community.
2. Build awareness of and participation in all the arts – visual, performing, and literary.
3. Continually add to the established public art collection.
4. Provide a diverse representation of superior quality artistic and cultural programs and events to serve all segments of the Oswego community, thus enhancing the quality of life in Oswego.

Commissioners:

• Chair:  Anthony Pastore
• Commissioner:  Karen Kulzer
• Commissioner:  Michelle Meyers
• Commissioner:  Kristie Vest
• Commissioner:  Katie Marter
• Commissioner:  Bridget Piekarczyk
• Commissioner: Charles Boudreau
• Commissioner: Heather Sheppard
• Student Commissioner: Annalise Schmitt
• Student Commissioner: Wesley Miller

Art at Village Hall

The Commission produces Art at Village Hall, a quarterly exhibit celebrating the work of local artists and offering local artists a venue for exposure of their work.  In 2021, the Village of Oswego Cultural Arts Commission developed a space in Oswego Village Hall to celebrate the world of local artists, offer artists a venue to showcase their work, and expose Oswego residents to the visual arts. The CAC passed the Village Hall Art Exhibit Policy on December 11, 2024.  

Apply HERE to exhibit your artwork during the 2026 season!

2025 Exhibits at Village Hall

Oswego Area Hometown Art Exbibit: February 27 - March 31, 2025.

Congratulations to the 2025 Artists who were selected to exhibit their work:

April - June: Jim Rendant
June - August: Jenna Butler
August - November: Beth Berry
November 2025 - February 2026: Luisa Cedin

Contact Oswego Community Relations with questions by email. 

For Artists

Are you an artist local to the Oswego area looking for opportunities to create and showcase works? The Village of Oswego Cultural Arts Commission offers space to local artists to display and participate in commissioned public art pieces. The 2026 call for artists will be announced in early 2025. 

For Donors

Whether you own a building that would make a great site for a mural, or an arts-oriented business that would like to sponsor cultural events for our engaged residents, there are many ways to support the arts in Oswego. To begin a conversation about ways you can support the arts in our community, contact Community Relations.

Public Art Projects

This fall the Oswego Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) engaged mural artist Jason Watts to transform the three silos located at the intersection of Adams and Van Buren into vibrant works of art. The photo shows the project in early November. The design celebrates the natural beauty of the Fox River and its verdant landscape while honoring the rich history of Oswego’s farming community

2025 Look Up Oswego: Student art banners

From May through October, banners featuring student artwork will be displayed on light poles in the downtown area.  Started in 2024 by the CAC, the Look Up Oswego banner program features art from School District 308 students in fifth grade, eighth grade and high school seniors that was selected by their art teachers. Due to the tremendous response from the community, the CAC will continue the program in 2025.

Teacher Information: 

Timeline

• January 7 to approximately February 5, 2025: Schools select winners. NOTE: Do not incorporate student’s name on the artwork for privacy reasons.
• Please select winners according to the following guidelines:
• Elementary Schools – 5^th grade: 3 winners
• Junior High Schools – 8^th grade: 3 winners
• High Schools:  12^th grade: 15 winners
• ACES: 3 winners
• January 7-February 21: Teachers submit student artwork and waivers via this form: 2025 Submissions Look Up Oswego student art banner project and Student waiver.

Submission guidelines

• February 21: Deadline for teachers to submit student artwork and waivers.
• March: Student banners are printed.
• April: Banners are displayed in downtown Oswego.
• April – October 2025: Banners on display.
• End of October: Banners removed from display.
• Beginning of November: Banners returned to art teachers. PLEASE NOTE: While every effort will be made to return banners in October 2025, we can’t guarantee all will be returned and in what condition.

Art Teacher Responsibilities:

• Determine your school’s selection criteria for winners (i.e. student vote; teacher selection, etc.)
• Set a deadline and a location for artwork to be submitted at your school.
• Announce the opportunity in class and via e-mail to applicable parents/students.
• Send out reminders, if needed.
• Take photos and submit one photo and waiver for each student using these forms: 2025 Submissions Look Up Oswego student art banner project and Student waiver.

Submission Guidelines:

• Taking Photos
• Most recent smartphones have a good enough quality without making any changes to settings.
• Take photos with bright lighting with minimal glare on art.
• If you can’t edit photos of the art, try to take the photo straight on and with as little spacing around the outside edge of the art as possible. This will ensure the art is as high quality as possible.

• Submit photos of each piece of artwork according to the following naming structure: 
• 1. School name or initials
• 2. Student’s first and last name
• File name example: School_FirstLast_Banner_jpg,

e.g. OHS_BrittanyBrown_Banner.jpg

• File submission requirements:
• On the form, enter the additional information which includes the name of the student, school and grade level, as well as teacher email and phone number. A scanned copy of the signed waiver/release(attached) is also required with the submission.

For more information on the Look Up Oswego program, contact Community Relations at 630-554-4636 or by email. 

Mural on Fox Valley Winery
2022-present
In 2022, the CAC commissioned an artist to paint a vibrant mural on the south side of Fox Valley Winery, 49 Main Street. 

Manhole Covers
2018-present
In late 2018, the CAC wanted to establish a permanent public art collection by initiating a request for proposals for designs for new manhole covers needed for downtown construction projects. Because the manholes were already needed for construction projects, the project allowed the Village to add to the public art collection without paying extra for material costs. In spring 2019, a selection committee chose a design by local artist Elizabeth Teitge, called Fox and Muskie, pictured right. For more details about this project see the announcement on our News & Announcements page.

Meetings