It’s hard to craft a full-time job out of being an artist. But some say it’s possible. The Public Works Speaker Series is bringing artists and entrepreneurs - like the brains behind Designing Obama , the owners of a Chicago-based art and screen print studio, and a wallpaper designer - to talk about making a living in the independent arts. The series runs for the next four weeks and will speak to the idea that “Art makes work; work makes art.” It’s meant to educate and inspire more artists to turn their hobbies into jobs. more ›

Graphic designer, artist and Illinoisan Chuck Anderson has his very first solo Chicago show tomorrow at the newly minted Threadless gallery. Hotcha! Even if you don't recognize Anderson's name, you probably recognize his ethereal, surreal style: Or the billboards he's designed. The fun starts at 7pm, and a limited number of reprints of Anderson's Threadless select shirt--in new colors--will be available.... more ›

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The Cut and Paste Design Competition is coming to Chicago this year. This battle rap of graphic design nerds launched in New York in 2005 and will be taking place at Crobar, 1543 N. Kingsbury, on November 4. Graphic artists are normally given weeks or months for one project, here they will be required to produce design in rounds of 15 minutes in front of a crowd. The winner will receive an Apple MacBook, along... more ›