As restrictions are lifted, the arts and culture sector in Illinois recognizes that continuing to get their audiences and communities vaccinated is important for safely getting back to in-person arts activities. Artists in 24 regions across Illinois are creating over 72 pro-vaccination projects this summer as vaccines are now widely available.

“Galena artists have certainly not stopped creating during the pandemic, but we have definitely missed our “3D” audiences. We are so excited to safely get back to sharing our art!” says Cindy Tegtmeyer.

James Salazar, award-winning Galena High School Senior, is putting the finishing touches on his digital art piece titled, “Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!”. He has created posters of his work and hung them up around town - be on the lookout!

Artist Tony Barbosa is honoring his friend who suffered from Covid-19 with a beautiful multi-medium art installation at Kaladi’s Coffee Bar on Main Street. While actress Cindy Tegtmeyer will lead pop up performance art pieces titled, “FREE HUGS, I’m Vaccinated,” during the week of July 18th. She will be accompanied by fully vaccinated middle school artists, 13-year-old musician Liliana Asta and 12-year old photographer/videographer Macklan Murphy.

Vaccination is especially important to the arts and creative sector. Even as the state moved to Phase 5 on June 11, lifting restrictions on restaurants and businesses, many cultural centers and venues remain closed and are still managing capacity-limits and project decreased revenue due to state social-distancing recommendations. Vaccination is important to the arts, so that the industry can return to bringing communities together.

These projects are made possible by a collaboration between Arts Alliance Illinois, Cindy Tegtmeyer and The Galena Center for the Arts.

Participating regions include: Aurora, Bloomington, Carbondale, Centralia, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, DuPage County, East St. Louis, Elgin, Evanston, Galena, Galesburg, Joliet, Lake County, Mattoon, McHenry County, Oak Park, Peoria, Quad Cities, Quincy, Rockford, South East Suburban Chicago (Dolton, Calumet City, Lansing), South Suburban Chicago and Springfield.