Local History Is American History

Local History is American History Art Competition - Application Deadline May 22, 2026

In honor of the U.S. 250th anniversary, the Niles Arts & Culture Council and the Niles Historical Society invite you to create an art piece that reflects Niles history.  We ask artists to reflect on the people, places and stories that define our town and its unique history. 

THEME: What's Your Connection to Niles History?

• Shopping and Dining Destination - Did you grow up hanging out at Golf Mill and take pictures by the water wheel? Niles has always been a destination for favorite stores at shopping districts like Lawrencewood, Oak Mill, Golf Mill and tons of stops along Milwaukee Avenue
• Growing Up in Niles - Back yards, block parties, Niles Library, Oak School, South School and baseball games at Grennan Heights, what fond memories come back to you?
• All-America City - It was true in 1964 and still rings true today. Niles is a Place Where People Count and understands the value of a dollar. Services are award winning while taxes stay manageable for modern families.
• Iconic Niles - From the Leaning Tower, YMCA, Salerno's Factory and Tam O'Shanter to Mill Run Playhouse (Theatre) and the Millionaire's Club, Niles has been a on the map over the decades

HOW TO SUBMIT:

Any artists, all ages and all skill levels (and those that don't consider themselves an artist but want to try) are welcome to participate. We want anyone that has a Niles story to create a piece.  Participation is free.

Submissions will be on display at the NVision Art Gallery from July 9th through September.  

Best is Show - One piece of artwork will be selected for the cover of the Niles Focus newsletter. All art pieces will be judged and one winner selected from each of these categories: Professional, Amateur, Youth (15 and younger). Each winner in the category will receive a $100 gift card.  

Artwork will be judged on the following:

• Relevance: how was the theme interpreted and does it reflect Niles
• Originality: Is it creative and original piece
• Visual Impact: Does the artwork grab attention and do people relate to it

Artwork can be any medium as long as it can be displayed. Framed (or ability to hang/mount on a wall):

• Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
• Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
• Collages - must be two-dimensional
• Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
• Mixed Media - use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photography

All artwork MUST be original and can not violate any copyright or trademark laws.  

Application Deadline - May 22, 2026
Artwork Deadline - June 15, 2026

Opening Reception
Thursday, July 9, 2026
5:00 - 8:00 PM
NVision Art Gallery located in the Niles Family Fitness Center (987 Civic Center Drive)

There will be an opening reception  at the NVision Art Gallery to celebrate all artwork, artists and story of Niles. This event is open to the public and free, light snacks and  refreshments will be provided.

The application consists of three steps:

1. Complete all required questions in the application.
2. Download the Artist Artifact Sheet from the Related Files section located on the right-hand side of the application. Review the sheet and ensure your artwork aligns with the theme and references one or more historical artifacts featured from the Niles Historical Society Collection.
3. Upload a photo of your artwork.
4. Download the Artist Waiver.  Please send completed waiver to kv@vniles.com

After your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Niles Public Arts and Culture Council. If approved, you will receive a follow up email confirming your participation in the exhibit.

Please feel free to promote the event on social media and tag us @nilesartsculture

If you'd like more information about the artifacts, please reach out to the Niles Historical Society at nhs@vniles.com or 847-390-0160. We also request that an artist statement be included with the piece to explain how it connects to American history, people, and/or place, and which item inspired the piece.

For questions regarding the application or exhibit, please contact Kristina Vasilic - (847)745-9841 or kv@vniles.com

Installation

The gallery uses a hanging wall system with cables, rods, and hooks. Weight capacity per piece is 50 lbs. No nails, screws, holes or adhesives of any kind can be made into or onto the wall for any reason, no exceptions. Artist is responsible for any wall repair caused by hanging artwork. Artwork should be framed with tight wire across the back. Wire should sit 1 / 3 of the way down from the top. Both an installation and removal date will be scheduled ahead of time by the Niles Arts and Culture Council members.  ALL ART MUST BE WIRED FOR HANGING, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Donation

Artists are encouraged to donate their work to the Village of Niles Historical Society to become part of the permanent collection for preservation. It is not required but optional. The donated work will be showcased at the historical society for future generations to view and admire.

SALES, FEES & COMMISSIONS

There is no fee for selected artists to display. Artists may sell their work directly to consumers by displaying prices and artist contact information. Payments should be made directly to the artist. N Vision Art Gallery requires 10% of total sales at the end of the show period. This money goes back to the gallery for maintenance and operations of the art gallery. Payment can be made to the Village of Niles. Any pieces sold during the display periodshould either stay up through the end of the show or be replaced with a new piece.

OPENING RECEPTION & PROMOTIONS

An opening reception will be scheduled and the Village of Niles will provide room set-upincluding tables, chairs, table clothes, plates, fatware and serving ware. Artists are encouraged to add food/drinks to the reception table. Gallery will provide water, soda, light appetizers.