Find anything interesting in your mailbox today? Bills, junk mail and cheesy catalogs—with the occasional exciting envelope from Netflix—are typically what's found in mine. This Saturday at mini dutch gallery in Logan Square, local artist Peter Hoffman steps out of his studio with his latest project, "Post-Paintings." Hoffman creates individualized art work based on participants' questionnaires and delivers custom-made pieces to their mail box free of charge. How much cooler is that than a postcard from your old roomie?

The back story: Hoffman says he was in the habit of giving his "study-type" paintings away for free. But in February 2006, what initially started as correspondence with friends expanded into an Internet project where participants from all over the U.S. can submit an online form with multiple choice statements such as "I am afraid of color," "I believe in progress," and "Everything is not art." After careful consideration, he interprets their answers as a small, 9x12 oil on canvas. It's kind of like chose your own art adventure.

"There's something nice about putting together packages for people I don't know," he explains. "A few people had forgotten they'd filled out an application; maybe they did it at a bar or something, and were completely confused as to why I sent them a painting. That's even better." To view this unique collection exhibited as a sequence for the first time, head to mini dutch for the opening on Saturday night from 7 to 10 p.m. And don't forget to fill out an application to receive your own Hoffman painting free of charge!

mini dutch is located at 3111 W. Diversey Parkway, (773) 235-5687.

- Amy Perry

Similar Topics:art, gallery

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