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Additionally, Mayor Johnson is Activating Neighborhoods with New Public Art — Including Murals in Humboldt Park, West Loop, and Woodlawn/Washington Park

Kari Blak mural, “Beyond the Pages” at Bessie Coleman Branch Library

CHICAGO—Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced several public art projects to be completed this summer and fall, including a neighborhood murals initiative as well as unique artwork by Chicago artists on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue, Green, and Orange lines. The artist-designed CTA train wraps will be on display starting in mid-August, as will many of the neighborhood murals being created by mainly Chicago-based artists in collaboration with community organizations — to be installed at public sites in Humboldt Park, the West Loop, and Woodlawn/Washington Park. Additional murals will debut this fall in the Bronzeville, Edgewater, Mayfair, South Chicago, and Uptown communities. These new neighborhood murals will interpret themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and inclusion and will also celebrate Chicago’s Blues and House music legacies.

“Chicago is embracing public art as a defining characteristic of our city,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “My administration through DCASE is currently managing nearly 80 public art projects in airports, transit hubs, and other spaces — totaling $11 million in investments across 26 wards. We’re proud to share Chicago’s story and the power of the arts with residents in diverse communities across this great city, and with visitors from across the globe.”

“The new artist-designed train wraps are unique ‘moving murals’ on display throughout Chicago,” shared DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “Mayor Brandon Johnson and I believe that public art tells the story of our city — its beauty, its resilience, the soul of Chicago. We’re thrilled to be showcasing local artists and cultural communities on the CTA and with neighborhood murals.”

Pictured: Renderings of the artist-designed train wraps project, “Track(ed) Changes”

The artist-designed train wraps project, titled “Track(ed) Changes: Democracy runs through our neighborhoods,” is produced and project managed by the DCASE Public Art team in collaboration with the CTA—and curated by Chicago-based graphic designer and artist Bob Faust. Participating artists include: Brandon Breaux, Bob Faust, Kristoffer McAfee, Noel Mercado, Carlos Rolón, Esperanza Rosas, Territory, and youth artists with Urban Gateways.

The aforementioned neighborhood murals initiative includes:

• Bronzeville neighborhood (Martin Luther King Community Center) in collaboration with Dorian Sylvain Studio, LLC / Mural Moves; celebrating the legacy of the Blues in Chicago; by Chicago-based artist Arthur Wright
• Edgewater neighborhood (Edgewater Branch Library) in collaboration with the Chicago Public Art Group; interpreting themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion; by Brooklyn-based artist Tomokazu Matsuyama
• Humboldt Park neighborhood (Erie Division Street Health Center) in collaboration with Yollocalli Arts Reach; interpreting themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion; by Chicago-based artist Ceci Beavens
• Mayfair neighborhood (Mayfair Branch Library) in collaboration with Yollocalli Arts Reach; interpreting themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion; by Chicago-based artist Sentrock
• South Chicago neighborhood (Vodak-East Side Branch Library) in collaboration with Englewood Arts Collective; interpreting themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion; by Chicago-based artist Oscar Joyo
• Uptown neighborhood (Uptown Branch Library) in collaboration with the Chicago Public Art Group; interpreting themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion; by Chicago-based artist Max Sansing
• West Loop neighborhood (Office of Emergency Management & Communications/OEMC Garage) in collaboration with Englewood Arts Collective; celebrating House music and its influence; by Chicago-based artists Kayla Mahaffey and Rahmaan Statik
• Woodlawn/Washington Park neighborhood (Bessie Coleman Branch Library) in collaboration with Dorian Sylvain Studio, LLC / Mural Moves; interpreting themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion; by Chicago-based artist Kari Blak

Other DCASE Public Art project highlights scheduled for completion in Summer/Fall 2024 include:

• CTA Damen Green Line station mosaic by Folayemi Wilson
• Joint Public Safety Training Campus façade mural by Edra Soto and two local artists
• 63rd and Central Park Ave. viaduct mural by artist Anna Murphy
• Chicago Race Riot 1919 commemoration project; first markers recently unveiled by Firebird Community Arts with local youth artists
• O’Hare International Airport T5 Baggage Claim photographic light box installation by Jonathan Michael Castillo
• Greater Roseland garden sculptures by Ben LaMar Gay & Redemptive Plastics / Alt Chicago
• Greater Roseland “Burst Into Books” murals by Kayla Mahaffey
• Exterior murals and interior wall wraps in Englewood (Damon Lamar Reed), Lakeview (CZR PRZ), and Roseland (Max Sansing)

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

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