PublicArt
Berwyn Mural Project
If you are interested in helping with the mosaic installation check this link for upcoming workdates and shifts www.mysignup.com/berwynmural.
We are also in immediate need of more exterior grade tile in reds/yellows/oranges, as well as more mirror. If you can provide any please contact us at publicart@bcochicago.org !
The final Tile Workshop was held February 24th at Let Them Eat Chocolate (5306 N Damen) with live music by local musician Brad Smith. We do not plan on selling any more tiles at this time.
The Berwyn Mural project is a community-driven public art project. The goal is to create a painted and mosaic work of art in and around the pedestrian foot tunnel underneath the Metra tracks
at Berwyn and Ravenswood Avenues. The tunnel not only connects the Bowmanville and West Andersonville neighborhoods but also serves as a primary access route to Andersonville, the lake and the Berwyn Red Line for bikers and pedestrians. The tunnel is adjacent to the West Andersonville nature path and the Bowmanville Gateway vegetable gardens.
The design concept is that of an urban garden and the four seasons. All of the artists who have volunteered for the public art piece live in the surrounding neighborhoods. The Bowmanville and Rogers Park Montessori School Fall Festival and a subsequent tile workshop in the vegetable gardens were opportunities for greater community involvement in the creation of the artwork. Participants were encouraged to create and paint their own tiles, which have since been installed on the entryways. Many families and individuals also assisted by painting the
interior mural inside the tunnel during the festival.
A budget has been established to cover materials and a professional lead for design & installation of the mosaic portion of the mural. Both the BCO and WANT organizations have contributed financially, and a large portion of what is needed was raised at the BCO/RPMS Fall Festival on October 16th and in a subsequent tile workshop on October 27th . Many artists are donating their time and talent, and the city has paid for and completed all of the site prep for us.
BCO President Claire Shingler worked hand in hand with local artists Sarah Laing and Amy Zoeller to develop the plan for this fantastic project. The idea grew out of frustration with ongoing graffiti in the tunnel and a lack of public art in the neighborhood. Many artists and volunteers joined the effort along the way. Prep of the tunnel began the last week of September, 2010. The majority of the work was completed in the following six weeks. The east entryway mosaic installation and then a dedication will take place in Spring 2011. A schedule and volunteer signup will be announced via the BCO website and facebook page.
There are STILL easy ways to still help us out:
1) Give $$! Can you support this inspirational public art project that is going on in your neighborhood?
We are looking for businesses and individuals to make contributions to cover the funds still required to enable completion of the project. No amount is too small!
2) Help with the East Entryway Mosaic Installation: A schedule will be published once the thaw
begins in the spring (2011). Many hands will be needed. We will show you what to do.
A special thank you from the Bowmanville and West Andersonville communities to all those contributing to the success of the Berwyn Mural Project!
Financial & In Kind Donors This project could not succeed without this financial support!
Financial Donors:
Jackie Barron, Amy Bonanata, Bowmanville Community Organization, Shannon & David Brown, Costa Rica Experts, Glenn Grzonka, Little Linguists Academy (Angel Li), Laura Novy, Painted Light (Barbara Laing), Point Display & Design (Robert Swislow), Betty Redmond, Claire & Todd Shingler, Jill & Jeff Siegel, IL State Senator Heather Steans and West Andersonville Neighbors Together.
In-Kind donors:
Amy Bonanata, David Goldberg, Ellen Jurczak, Sonata Kazimieraitiene, Sarah & Ian Laing, 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor, Open Studio Project (Sarah Laing), Anthony O’Reilly, Stained Glass Emporium, Robert Swislow, Thybony Paint and Wallcovering, 40th Ward Streets & Sanitation Department
Local Artists & Other Key Contributors
The talent and commitment of neighbors and outpouring of support is fabulous!
Design Committee & local artists: Laura Coyle, Jennifer Fecker, Maria Gullo, Betsy Kane, Sonata Kazimieraitiene (Mosaic Leader), Katie Kurisch, Sarah Laing (Project Leader) Laura Novy, Anthony O’Reilly, Colleen Ostrander, Laura Sabransky, Claire Shingler (BCO President), Julia Sowles-Barlow, Amy Zoeller (Paint Leader)
Neighbor Volunteers:
Amy Bonanata, Mary Burke, Jo-Ann Finkelstein, David Goldberg, Ruth Kerzee, Billy Kuczek, Ian Laing, Scott Lair, Kathleen Moran, Danny Postel, Bea Pryst, Joe Pryst, Mary Jude Ramirez, Todd Shingler, Menghua Sun, Robert Swislow
Local Kids volunteering:
Eddie Buchko, Gabriella Goldberg-Finkelstein, Jonah Goldberg-Finkelstein, Anna Laing, Julian Laing, Sam Novy, Juan Elijah Postel, Mary Ramirez, Claire Riley, Stella Riley, Cate Shingler, Helena Shingler, Adele Snagel, Veronica Wong
Finally, a BIG thank you to the countless other neighbors and supporters of this project
who came out to make more than 300 custom tiles that have been included in the
mosaic entryways, and to paint the backdrop of the mural during the Bowmanville Fall
Festival. Many of those were local kids.
Please contact publicart@bcochicago.org or call the BCO Hotline at 1-866-837-1006 to get involved! Contributions can be made to the Bowmanville Community Organization – president@bcochicago.org
