Recent Work
For more information on recent projects and to find out about upcoming workshops, projects, and volunteer opportunities, please contact us at information@cpag.net or follow our social media.
Wonders of Woodlawn
2019
Artist: Bernard Williams
Wonders of Woodlawn is a painted steel sculpture measuring 17’ tall and 11’ wide that was completed and installed in March of 2019 at the corner of 61st and Cottage Grove. It was commissioned by DL3 Realty and Terraco Real Estate to celebrate the opening of the first full service grocery store in Woodlawn in 40 years. Click HERE for information about the images and themes in the work.
Restoration of Another Time's Voice Remembers My Passion’s Humanity by Mitchell Caton and Calvin Jones, 1979
2018
Lead Artist: Bernard Williams and Damon Lamar Reed
Location: Elliott Donnelley Youth Center, 3947 S. Michigan Ave.
The restoration of 'Another Time's Voice Remembers My Passion’s Humanity' was generously supported by the Abreva Brand. (Photo before restoration)
Restoration of Childhood is Without Prejudice by William Walker, 1977
2018
Location: 55th–56th–57th Street Metra Station
Lead Artists: Bernard Williams and Damon Lamar Reed
The restoration of 'Childhood is Without Prejudice' was generously supported by the Abreva Brand and the Neighborhood Enhancement Grant program of the South East Chicago Commission.
Welcome to Harlan
2018
Lead Artist: Amanda Mudrovich
Location: Harlan Community Academy, 9652 S. Michigan Ave
CPAG artist Amanda Mudrovich installs the mosaic mural created with the help of Harlan Community Academy high school students, thanks to the Chicago Community Trust Safe and Peaceful Grant.
Knowledge is Power
2018
Lead Artist: Amanda Mudrovich
Location: Harlan Community Academy, 9652 S. Michigan Ave.
Sponsors: Metropolitan Family Services and CPAG
Amanda Mudrovich lead and taught a group of Harlan high school students to design and create an indoor bricolage mural in their school. CPAG is excited to be collaborating with Metropolitan Family Services and Harlan Community Academy High School again.
Parkside Community Mural Project
2017
Lead Artists: Mirtes Zwierzynski and Ruben Aguirre
Location: 465 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60610
Artists Mirtes Zwierzynski and Ruben Aguirre's design is inspired by natural shapes and elements, with symbolism referencing flowers, the moon, the lake and the sunset as a metaphor for daily life of the residents of the building. The column sides are inspired by symbolic elements of design from African American quilting and textile design. Techniques used will be: mosaic on the column sides, as well as on the strips on the East wall, with the larger portion being spray paint.
Forest Preserve of Cook County
2017
Located: Cook County Headquarters at 536 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest, IL
Artists: Transit Studio artists - Joshua Lantzy, Laura Miracle, and Jamie Topper. OPRF HS art teacher, Tracy Van Duinen.
CPAG worked with the artists and OPRF HS students to design and construct an interactive cordwood sculptures. The "Rose" located at Cook County headquarters and the "Fish" located at Trailside Museum in River Forest, IL.
Kaleidoscope of Hidden Worlds
2017
Artist: Renee Robbins
Located: Underpass at Fullerton Ave. and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago Public Art Group was commissioned by Fullerton L3C to manage the mural designed and created by artist Renee Robbins. The mural was privately funded by the generous donations from Lincoln Park residents and the Fullerton L3C.
Chicago Public Art Group is delighted to partner with Renee Robbins to transform the Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Avenue underpass into a work of art. The mural for is on the North and South walls of the underpass, each side approximately 14’ h x 110’ w, or 1600 square feet.
Click here to learn more about the project. Click here to read the press release.
Harlan Mural/ Windows to the Future
8-1/2017
Artists: Amanda Mudrovich and Todd Osborne
Location: Harlan Community Accademy/ 9652 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago Public Art Group collaborated with Metropolitan Family Services and Harlan Academy High School to create a bricolage on a wall in the courtyard of the school. CPAG was granted the Safe and Peaceful grant through Chicago Community Trust to partially fund this project.
Symphony of Cells
8-1/2017
Artists: Andy Bellomo and Sonja Henderson
Located: Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, 1701 W. 13th St., Chicago, IL 60608
The concept for the fountain was to explore the physical and metaphysical connection of Space, Matter, and Humanity. The artists worked with teens who lived or were involved in the surrounding areas of ChiCAT to help design and create the glass mosaic and crystal cells.
Alcott College Prep
2017
Lead Artists: John Pitman Weber and Anna Murphy
Location: 2957 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Chicago Public Art Group has partnered with Alcott College Prep to utilize the power of art to educate and build community with the students and faculty at Alcott College Prep High School. For this project, Alcott students were led by CPAG artists John Pitman Weber and Anna Murphy, as well as Alyssa Medina, Alcott’s art teacher. Together, they created a 3D sculpture depicting the message “Love” using painted papier–mâché and mosaic tiles.
Sepia
2016
Lead Artists: Rahmaan Barnes & Max Sansing
Assistant Artists: Miguel A. Del Real, Epifanio Monarrez, Bobby Price, Elizabeth Reyes, & Delilah Salgado
Location: Underpasses at 2230 S. Central Park Ave.
and 2200 S. Trumbull Ave.
The murals, commissioned by the 22nd ward Alderman Ricardo Munoz and managed by Chicago Public Art Group, were developed to celebrate and bridge each neighborhood’s spirit,
diversity and history, while promoting their unity.
Alderman Munoz and community leaders wanted to have the viaducts represent a bridge to each community, Little Village a primarily Hispanic neighborhood and North Lawndale an African
American neighborhood. It also represented a space for artists from both communities to create art that celebrated each neighborhood’s spirit and diversity.
Sepia Mural
Weaving Cultures
2016
Lead Artists: Sam Kirk & Sandra Antongiorgi
Location: 16th & Blue Island in Pilsen
An extension of Aurelio Díaz’s Galería del Barrio mural, this new mural aims to increase awareness and encourage a dialogue around unity and acceptance by celebrating underrepresented women of diverse backgrounds.
Martin Luther King Jr. Living Memorial
2016
Lead Artists: John Pitman Weber and Sonja Henderson
Location: Marquette Park
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Living Memorial Project commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's historic march through Chicago's Marquette Park. Artists John Pitman Weber and Sonja Henderson carved three 10 foot high stelas out of wet brick. The bricks were then delivered to Chicago's last remaining brick yard, Glen-Gary in Marseilles, Illinois. The Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) coordinated a diverse group of organizations, institutions and individuals to advance the project.
Woodlawn Works
2016
Lead Artists: Rahmaan Barnes, Damon Lamar Reed, Max Sansing, & Bernard Williams
Location: 66th and 67th Street west of Dorchester Avenue
These murals reflect the local history and contemporary life of Woodlawn on three very large underpass walls and five rows of columns covering a total of 12,500 square feet.
Manuel Perez Elementary School
2016
Lead Artists: Andy Bellomo & Rahmaan Barnes
Assistant Artist: Anna Murphy
Location: 1241 W. 19th Street
Students created essays about how they feel about their school and the artists incorporated these words into a mural that faces the playground.
John Spry Community School
2016
Lead Artists: Alfonso Piloto Nieves-Ruiz & Julia Sowles-Barlow
Location: 2400 S. Marshall Blvd.
The artists worked with students to create hundreds of handmade porcelain tiles that make this balanced design outside the entrance of the school depicting indigenous narratives and symbols as identified by the students.
Excel Academy of Englewood
2016
Lead Artist: Rahmaan Barnes
Location: 7141 S. Morgan St.
Unveiled at Excel Academy’s Graduates Over Guns celebration, this mural promotes the importance of graduating and non-violence.
Webster Elementary School Kites
2016
Lead Artist: Mirtes Zwierzynski
Location: Daniel Webster Elementary School, 4055 W. Arthington St.
Artist Mirtes Zwierzynski worked with students to create a Kite mosaic on Webster Elementary School's wall near the newly created garden.
Lock Elementary School
2016
Lead Artists: Phil Schuster & Adele Moss
Location: 2828 N. Oak Park Ave.
Carved ceramic plants from around the world and the word “peace” in multiple languages accent this new garden at Locke School.
Northwest Middle School
2016
Lead Artist: Bernard Williams
Location: 5252 W. Palmer St.
Artist Bernard Williams worked in partnership with the art teacher to create a series of indoor vinyl mural installations based on students' drawings of the school's social emotional learning goals.
Westinghouse College Prep
2016
Lead Artist: Julia Sowles-Barlow
Assistant Artist: Bryant Jones
Location: 3223 W. Franklin Blvd.
A series of mandalas were created by artist Julia Sowles-Barlow with help from Westinghouse students and teachers, and assistant artist Bryant Jones. They were then installed by Brian McGlade.
Together We Grow, CJE
2016
Lead Artist: Julia Sowles-Barlow
Location: 1015 W. Howard St. Evanston, IL 60202
Artist Julia Sowles-Barlow and the CJE community, including seniors, family members, and staff, worked collaboratively to create a Pomegranate Tree Mural Installation for CJE Senior Life.
Chinatown Centennial Mural
2016
Lead Artists: Andy Bellomo and Bernard Williams
Location: 2027 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Chicago Public Art Group artists Andy Bellomo and Bernard Williams collaborated with the Chinese American Museum and the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce to create a mural to commemorate the 100th year of Chinatown. Located in Chicago's Chinatown Community, the mural responds to the need for the community to highlight its past and future with an innovative mix of painted Chinese traditional painting techniques, glass and 3D sculpture.
Chalmers School of Excellence
2015
Lead Artist: Damon Lamar Reed
Location: 2745 West Roosevelt Road
Bricolage mural created by students and parents.
Incomplete metamorphosis
2015
Lead artist: Julia Sowles-Barlow
Location: Keller Regional Gifted Center, 3020 West 108th Street
An exploration of the life of a dragonfly on the benches of a new garden.
Seedpods to Snowflakes
2015
Lead Artist: Julia Sowles-Barlow
Location: Urshel Pavillion in Valparaiso, Indiana
Mixed media mosaic celebrates summer and winter at a new community center.
Come to Light, Osterman Beach Comfort Station
Lead Artist: Andy Bellomo
Location: Osterman Beach located at Sheridan and Ardmore
"Come to Light," the project at the Osterman Beach Comfort Station is complete! It is a beautifully sparkling and lively multi-media project. Congrats to Lead Artist Andy Bellomo and Assisting Artists Will Nicholson and Brett Whitacre. The project was made possible by the support of the Chicago Park Distrcit and is located just east of Sheridan and Ardmore on the North Side.
Albany Whipple Playground Sculptures
Lead Artist: Phil Shuster
Location: 1803 N. Albany
Phil Shuster led clay workshops with groups from the Chicago Park District and the Trust for Public Lands. At these workshops participants created relief elements which were incorporated into a bench for the newly designed Albany Whipple Playground located at 1803 N. Albany. Phil also created the whimsical spider sculpture (shown above) as the focal point of the playground. The spider sculpture was cast in fiberglass and installed as a play component. Funded by: Chicago Park District and Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail
The Intro, Bloomingdale Trail Mural
Lead Artists: Juan Carlos Perez, Patricia Sotarello and William Nicholson
Location: Bloomingdale Ave. & Whipple Ave.
Juan Carlos Perez, Patricia Sotarello and William Nicholson worked with a group of neighborhood youth from both Logan Square and Humboldt Park to create a new mural that explores the role of the Bloomingdale Trail in the community in conjunction with the role that women play in our daily lives past, present and future. The mural features community members' portraits and poetry from influential female authors. Funded by: Field Foundation & Chicago Foundation for Women
From Contemplation to Pride, Reavis Elementary School Mosaic
Lead Artist: Carolyn Elaine
Location: 834 E. 50th Street
Lead artist Carolyn Elaine worked with youth from Reavis Elementary School researching influential African American women of importance to the south side community of Bronzeville. Portraits of these women were photo-transferred onto tiles and incorporated into the mosaic piece.
The central image of the mosaic is Dr. Margaret Burroughs with excerpts from her monumental poem, What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black?, published in 1968. The section of the mural to Dr. Burroughs' right, anchored by an image of Jane Addams, displays prominent African American women of the past who were influences to Dr. Burroughs. The section to her left displays prominent women who were influenced by Dr. Burroughs. Funded by: Chicago Foundation for Women
Spirit of Hyde Park, Restoration and Renewal
Lead Restoration Artist: Bernard Williams
Original Artist: Astrid Fuller
Location: 57th St. & Lake Park Ave.
Bernard Williams restored and renewed the Spirit of Hyde Park, a historic Hyde Park mural between Lake Park and Stony Island on 57th Street. This iconic mural from the early 1970's depicts episodes in the history of Hyde Park over the previous 100 years. Bernard Williams worked with Astrid Fuller, the original artist, to identify sections of the original mural for integration into a new mural design that will carry the same name - the Spirit of Hyde Park. Bernard brought his design skills to bear on new research and understanding about the historic and evolving sense of Hyde Park. Funded by: University of Chicago.
Arc of Nature, Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
Lead Artists: Ginny Sykes, Augustina Droze, and Jim Brenner
Location: Bartlett Ravine in the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
Ginny Sykes and Augustina Droze along with Jim Brenner worked with Openlands on this multi-media mural installation at the Bartlett Ravine within the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve as a part of Openlands' Lakeshore Preserve Project. The installation includes non-woven painted elements, glass tile mosaics, and metal details that all together speak to the complexities and patterns that exist in the natural setting around the mural. Visit CPAG's Facebook page to see more images of this stunning and beautiful mural. Funded by: Openlands
Day Reporting Center, Cook County Prison Mural
Lead Artist: Rahmaan Barnes
Location: Cook County Day Reporting Center
The Cook County Day Reporting Center is a one-of-a-kind supervision program that provided services and direction for pre-trial, non-violent offenders. This community-based corrections program requires offenders to report to the center for daily sessions in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, violence prevention training, literacy and GED courses and job skills training.
Rahmaan Barnes worked with participants of the DRC program to create an inspirational, positive spray painted mural for the entrance of the center. Each participant contributed a drawing that was later collaged into the final mural. Funded by: Cook County Day Reporting Center.