"Run, Blago, Run" Artist Looks To Raise Some Cash
By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 18, 2009 8:40PM
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By now, you've seen them in several spots around town or you've seen them featured on websites like ours. Now, the artist who's created the stencils of former governor Rod Blagojevich is reaching out to you for a little help. The man behind the stencil, Pilsen artist Ray Noland, has begun a fundraiser at kickstarer to help raise money for a future showcase of his works. You can donate any amount from $1 on up and donations of certain increments ($10, $25, etc) will get you things ranging from t-shirts to your own painting. Noland is hoping to raise $3,500 by the end of the month and so far has raised $680 at post time.
As for Noland's hopes for the show:
A 3-day pop-up art gallery of work depicting ex-Governor, now Pop icon Rod Blagojevich aka Blago. Maybe you've seen him jogging or lighting campfires in Chicago. Or maybe you've heard the self-professed 'hard working cowboy' compare himself to Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Run, Blago Run! Show will allow these dreams to come true. Brought to you by CRO + friends. Artists will interpret the classic jogging pose in any medium.
Speaking about the fundraiser to the Tribune (where we first read about it), Noland added, "People get a kick out of the Blago stuff. And I figured, if people really want to see it, they can help make a show happen." So let's make it happen, folks!
For further reading, check out Newcity's profile of Noland from last month.