Atelier Teee, Chicago
This post was written by John Mitchell, MPC Research Assistant
Chicago has long been a great muse for public murals. From Mary Cassatt’s murals at the World Columbian Exposition in 1893 to Chagall’s Four Seasons in the Loop and the Southside’s Wall of Respect in 1967, the city has been home to countless iconic murals.
In this great community mural tradition, Ald. Joe Moore (49th Ward) has announced a call for Chicago-based artists to submit mural designs as part of his “Mass Underpass Murals Project.” Ald. Moore’s ward encompasses parts of Rogers Park, Edgewater, and West Ridge on Chicago’s Northeast side.
Artists have until July 16, 2010 to submit their design application for a mural that will grace one of 12 CTA or Metra underpasses throughout the 49th ward. Later this summer, residents of the 49th ward will vote for the 12 winning submissions. Each winning artist will then receive a stipend of $5,500 to execute their mural – adding to Chicago’s impressive mass of public art.
MPC advocates for public art as an integral ingredient of Placemaking in the city of Chicago. Earlier this summer, MPC publicized a vacant storefront art installation competition in the Wicker Park Bucktown neighborhood where MPC has been collaborating with local residents to transform the Polish Triangle.