By The Mural At Addison And Avondale Crew
Local residents and organizations of the Avondale neighborhood will come together on Thursday, June 21, for a Community Paint Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help complete the colorful and vibrant mural created by Rafael Lopez an internationally recognized artist.
Working with local artists and neighborhood children, Lopez will create a 100-foot mural, which he has designed based on the professed values of community members including: diversity, energy, growth, vitality, friendship, sense of community, family, green space and intersections. The mural, which is to cover the South wall of the viaduct will beautify the neighborhood and provide color and style to the well-tred intersection of Addison and Avondale, just under the Metra tracks.
Avondale is not the first neighborhood that Rafael Lopez’s work has helped to transform. Lopez has also created vibrant murals in San Diego and Ft. Collins, Colorado. In particular, Rafael was able to transform several San Diego neighborhoods during the Urban Art Trail project. Avondale residents hope this mural will spark future projects in the neighborhood and have a deep impact.
“I am hopeful that this large colorful mural will serve as a catalyst for future neighborhood beautification projects,” says Joanie Friedman, a resident of the Avondale neighborhood and the mother of two young kids, who set this project into motion when she found herself pushing her stroller through the viaduct several times a week on her way to Athletic Field Park playground.
“We as a neighborhood are incredibly lucky to host artist Rafael Lopez to Avondale. The National Museum of Mexican Fine Art is thrilled to assist in this project because it reinforces our mission of bringing artists of Mexican descent to our Chicago-community,” explains Cesareo Moreno, Senior Curator at the Museum.
*
The Story of the Creation of the Mural
*
Explanation of the design by artist Rafael Lopez
*
The Athletic Field Advisory Council will serve as the fiscal agent and will partner with the National Museum of Mexican Fine Art to fly the artist to Chicago from San Diego. Skilled artists will work with Rafael Lopez to create the mural between June 14-20.
On Thursday, June 21, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., join us for Community Paint Day where the entire community (ages 5 and up) are invited to help paint the mural. To sign up for a 1.5-hour slot on Community Paint Day, please e-mail Kelsey Krzyston.
For more information, please see the Facebook page “Mural at Addison and Avondale.” If you want to volunteer or get involved, please click here!
–
Comments welcome.
Posted on May 17, 2012