At the City Council meeting on Monday, October 5, Antonia Arellano was honored as the “People’s Choice” recipient of the City of West Chicago’s 2026 Art Banner Exhibit. Mayor Daniel Bovey and the City Council recognized Antonia for her winning piece, Home.
This year’s exhibit theme, “Red, White, Blue/Rojo, Blanco, Azul,” drew 95 submissions from 46 artists representing 21 Illinois communities, along with entries from 6 states, and Uruguay. From these, 26 works were selected by juror Nick Caltagirone, a Social Studies teacher at WCCHS, to be featured in the exhibit. The banners were displayed throughout the Downtown from May through August, with residents and visitors casting votes for their favorite. Antonia’s piece received 180 of the 594 votes cast, earning her the community’s top recognition.
The City's Art Banner Exhibit, an 18-year tradition, is organized by the City of West Chicago in collaboration with the City's Cultural Arts Commission. To explore this year's artwork, including Antonia's winning piece, visit westchicago.org/artbannerexhibit.
Pictured from left to right are Cultural Arts Commission Chair
Heidi Kuharich, Antonia Arellano, Mayor Daniel Bovey, and juror
Nick Caltagirone