Kickstarter Project Believes That 'Art Transcends Borders'

By Robert Martin in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 24, 2014 9:30PM

Marek Hubáček

A DePaul University student and a young artist are looking to Kickstarter to bring the art of the Czech Republic to Chicago.

Painter, sculptor and designer Marek Hubáček and his childhood friend Martin Vitek aim to raise $3,450 via the popular crowdfunding platform to feature the artist’s work in a Chicago gallery. The long-term project, “Creativity Transcends Borders” hopes to bring more Czech artists to the city.

“It’s almost an exchange program for young talented people who are still building their resumes,” Vitek said.

With a Czech population of nearly 200,000, Chicago was a logical location for the two to launch the project. While a potential gallery has not been selected yet, Vitek points to Bucktown and Pilsen as a points of interest.

“Pilsen is originally a Czech neighborhood, so it would be like [going] back to our roots,” Vitek said.

The 21-year-old management student hails from the Czech city of Zlín. After coming stateside, Vitek started his own business, Fundchaser, in 2013. The company helps entrepreneurs in both the United States and Czech Republic with the often difficult process of successful crowdfunding.

For Hubáček, he is providing his services free of charge.

“Creativity Transcends Borders” reached 30% of its goal on Sept. 21. According to Vitek, this important milestone means a Kickstarter project is 90% more likely to reach its target.

“We would love to combine Czech and American spirits,” Hubáček says in the short video accompanying the project’s Kickstarter page. Backers are currently being offered gifts for their contributions that range from personal thank you notes to tote bags, clothing and custom paintings from Hubáček.

The project, a designated “Kickstarter Staff Pick”, runs until Oct. 5.