Program areas at Chicago Public Art Group
Coiled serpent and augment earth - this multi-year earthwork project is the second installation of a new hybrid mound typology by an indigenous artist in north america, since the founding of the united states. This significant homage to the ancestral practice of mound building serves to educate the Public about the rich cultural history of placemaking, intending to activate the human connection to the river and its importance to the narrative of Chicago's cultivation as a city. The mound was created with the support of many community partners including artist x; nilay mistry, landscape architect, and collaborators at the Chicago park district; the american indian center; and the portage park neighborhood association.
We are seeds of life and remembering the baobab tree, holsten larrabee - sonja henderson and alfonso piloto nieves ruiz, cabrini green - henderson and nieves created two murals for a mixed-income apartment building at 551 west elm street. The Chicago architecture firm, lbba architects, designed the building. Lbba works with affordable housing clients and the associated communities to include community-based Public Art in and around the buildings they design. The murals celebrate the culturally diverse residential community.
Neighborhood access project, greater grand crossing - artist pugs atomz, partnered with fellow artists and grand crossing residents, damon lamar reed, and joe "cujo" nelson, to seed a Public Art corridor that would stretch from cottage grove to king drive. Reed created a mural for chifresh kitchen, a women and minority-owned collaborative business serving culturally appropriate meals. Atomz's mural enlivens the new home for gyrls in the h.o.o.d., an organization providing reproductive and health education to teen girls. And joe cujo nelson restored his 2,750 square foot mural "greater grand" celebrating neighborhood life. Each piece enhances its surroundings and reinforces the positive activities occurring in those spaces. Light, love, hope, community pride, and growth are predominant themes.