Chicago Public Art Group

Bloomingdale Trail Community Meeting- Dec. 13!

2011-11-22T12:47:00.000-06:00

Jane Addams Underpass Dedication- Fri. 11/18 2:30!

2011-11-17T11:34:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow! Friday 11/18 at 2:30, join CPAG, Chicago Foundation for Women, and Chicago Park District in celebrating "Jane Addams: An Homage," the new public art piece adorning the Pedestrian Underpass at Ohio St. and Lake Shore Drive! The multi-media project includes mosaic "quilts" made by dozens of volunteers from Chicago Foundation for Women, and is a celebration of Addams and her legacy. See you there!

Here's a link to a google map that shows the location of the underpass.

The Windy City Times has a short story about the Underpass, too.

Link to the WTTW Interview!

2011-11-16T10:58:00.001-06:00

And here's the link to last night's interview on WTTW's Chicago Tonight with Jon Pounds!

CPAG & Jon Pounds on TV- Tuesday 11/15!

2011-11-14T11:48:00.001-06:00

Set those DVRS! WTTW will be doing a story on CPAG and its work, and will have Jon Pounds live in studio for tomorrow's Chicago Tonight program- Tuesday, 11/15, 7pm CTE! Don't miss it!

Check out WTTW's Chicago Tonight website for more info.

2011-11-11T10:23:00.006-06:00

Tomorrow! Saturday, 11/12, 2pm! Come CELEBRA TE the AMAZING Aqua Interlude & Reflection Glass Mosaic Project at the Columbus Dr. Pedestrian Underpass- just north of Roosevelt! This 1,600 sq. ft. mosaic was made possible by over 50 youth apprentices, a top-notch group of artists (lead by Maria Gaspar & Mirtes Zwierzynski), and After School Matters. The panels were completed on tables in the ASM tent this summer (pictured left), and installed this fall. This is an astounding project- come see it and the people who made it possible!
Assistant Artists: Julia Sowles-Barlow, Allison Nault, Joann Li, Adele Moss, and Monica Tantoco

More images:

Upcoming Events

2011-10-28T15:57:00.003-05:00

Lots of CPAG events coming up- please consider joining us!

This Sunday, 10/30, 1pm- Memorial Service for William Walker at South Side Community Art Center (3831 S. Michigan)

Saturday, 11/12, 2pm-TENTATIVE date and time for dedication event for the Museum Campus Mosaic Project (Pedestrian Underpass off of Columbus Dr, North of Roosevelt). Please check back for confirmation of the date and time (Artists Maria Gaspar, Mirtes Zwierzynski, Julia Sowles-Barlow, Joann Li, Allison Nault, Adele Moss)

Wednesday, 11/16, 3pm- Dedication of Restored Murals on North and South Walls of 57th St, under the METRA underpass (Original Murals by Astrid Fuller, Restorations by Bernard Williams and Damon Reed)

Friday, 11/18, 2:30 pm, Dedication of the Jane Addams Pedestrian Underpass- at Ohio St. & Lake Shore Dr (Artists Mirtes Zwierzynski, Will Nicholson, Phil Schuster)

Keep checking back for more details and images!

Memorial Service for William Walker this Sunday, 10/30

2011-10-25T10:52:00.003-05:00

Please join us this Sunday, Oct. 30, at 1pm at the South Side Community Art Center (3831 S. Michigan) to honor and celebrate the life of William Walker, co-founder of the Chicago Mural Group and a wonderful and humble man.

New Playground Dedication this Saturday!

2011-10-19T16:01:00.001-05:00

Join us this Saturday, 10/22 at 10am for the dedication of the new Officer Thomas Wortham, IV Community Build Playground at 361 E. 85th St!

Artist Damon Reed worked with community members to create mosaics for benches at the playground, which is named in honor of Officer Wortham, a community member who was tragically lost too soon.

Blair Kamin's blog about Open Spaces

2011-10-17T13:40:00.003-05:00

The Chicago Tribune's Blair Kamin's recent blog entry pointed out some best-practices for utilzing the city's open spaces. He cited the Albany Whipple Playground (where Phil Schuster's spider, pictured right, is), Palmer Square Playlot (Where Phil, Roman Villarreal, and Jon Pounds have work), and the community-based planning of the Bloomingdale Trail (which involved Jon Pounds, Ginny Sykes, Maria Gaspar and Andy Bellomo) as examples to consider when moving forward!

Arc of Nature in today's Tribune!

2011-09-28T10:10:00.002-05:00

The spectacular Arc of Nature is featured in today's (9/28) Chicago Tribune. Check it out here!

This massive multi-media mural was completed in 2010 as part of Openlands' Lakeshore Preserve project at Fort Sheridan. The project was led by Ginny Sykes, Augustina Droze, Julia Sowles-Barlow, and Jim Brenner. It is worth the trip to Fort Sheridan to see!

Congratulations, Ginny, Augustina, Julia, and Jim, again and again for such a fantastic project!

People Power needed! Come help!

2011-09-27T12:29:00.005-05:00

Volunteers are still needed and appreciated for the final push of Phase III of the installation for the massive 1600 sq. foot Museum Campus Mosaic Project!

Location: Columbus Dr. Pedestrian Underpass near Roosevelt leading into Museum Campus

Days and Times: Friday, 9/30, 10am- 5pm AND Saturday 10/1, 8am- 5pm

Wear comfortable/warm clothing. We will be peeling off contact paper/tape from the mosaic panels and preparing for grouting. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the process of how public art comes to be!

Questions? Email nora (nora@cpag.net) or call 312-427-2724 x14. If no answer, push "2" and leave a voicemail with your inf0- we will get back to you.

See you on Friday and/or Saturday!

Be a part of a CPAG project!

2011-09-23T16:15:00.002-05:00

We are looking for volunteers to help us finish untaping our glass tile mosaic completed this summer with After School Matters!

Volunteers are needed Saturday, 9/24, anytime between 7am and 5pm. Stay as long or as little as you can! Wear comfortable clothes, and meet us at the Columbus Dr. Pedestrian Underpass near Roosevelt Rd.

See you there!

Volunteers Needed this Friday!

2011-09-20T10:45:00.004-05:00

Help us untape our massive glass tile mosaic! Join us this Friday, Sept. 23, between 9:30am and 5pm at the Columbus Dr. Pedestrian Underpass near Roosevelt, leading into Museum Campus. Wear comfortable clothing. We need lots of help to remove the contact paper that is on the mosaics, so that we may begin grouting! Come be a part of Phase II of the installation! This project was made possible by After School Matters, and was fabricated by 50 youth participants in a tent in Millenium Park this summer. Lead Artists are Mirtes Zwierzynski and Maria Gaspar.

William Walker, co-founder of CPAG and community-mural pioneer passes

2011-09-14T15:35:00.003-05:00

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that William Walker, the co-founder of CPAG and the founder of the community street-mural movement has passed. He was 85. The art world and communities around the world will forever be grateful to Mr. Walker for his contributions.

Our friend Lee Bay has written a wonderful piece on Mr. Walker, and calls on all of us to save on his few remaining murals- All of Mankind near Cabrini Green.

The Sun Times also has a lovely piece, as does the Chicago Tribune.

We are saddened by this tremendous loss.

Saturday, Sept. 10- Openlands Lakeshore Preserve Celebration!

2011-09-06T16:45:00.004-05:00

This Saturday, Sept 10, come celebrate the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve from 11am to 2pm!

Click here for more information.

This beautiful setting is also the location of Arc of Nature, the stunning multi-media project led by Ginny Sykes and Augustina Droze.

There will be a tour of the preserve at 11:30 and 1pm. Don't miss out on seeing this project and the bluffs, lakeshore, and other art installations that surround it!

Jane Addams Underpass

2011-08-18T11:10:00.015-05:00

The pedestrian underpass at Ohio St. leading into the Jane Addams Memorial Park will soon be transformed into a multi-media project celebrating and honoring the life of Jane Addams. The artist working on the project is Mirtes Zwierzynski. Made possible by the Chicago Foundation for Women and the Chicago Park District.

One of the non-woven, painted panels for the project

Cole Park

2011-08-18T11:07:00.003-05:00

Beginning in September, Damon Reed will work with community members of the Chatham neighborhood to create a mosaic for a new playground honoring the park's namesake Nat King Cole as well as a dearly missed community member, Officer Wortham. The project is made possible by Friends of the Parks and Chicago Park District.

Museum Campus Mosaic Project

2011-08-18T10:25:00.021-05:00

Chicago Public Art Group and After School Matters have partnered to bring 50 youth together under the supervision of Mirtes Zwierzynski & Maria Gaspar. The team will be working in Millennium Park to put together 1500 sq feet of mosaics that will be installed in the Columbus Pedestrian Underpass leading in to the Museum Campus. Here are a few photos of the work in progress!

Pioneer Social Work Restoration

2011-08-16T16:00:00.010-05:00

Originally painted by Astrid Fuller in 1977, Pioneer Social Work is now being restored by Damon Reed and Max Sansing. The mural is located on the north wall of 57th Street, near Lake Park, beneath the Metra tracks. The restoration is made possible by the University of Chicago.

Belmont Underpass Nears Completion

2011-08-09T12:59:00.021-05:00

The Belmont Underpass is almost finished! Things are going well and we can't wait to see this beautiful multi-media mural when it is complete. Here are a few process shots of the project.

CPAG in the Chicago Tribune!

2011-08-01T11:38:00.003-05:00

CPAG artists Phil Schuster, Andy Bellomo, Todd Osborne and Tracy Van Duinen are working hard on the Belmont Underpass mosaic. Yesterday their work was featured in the Chicago Tribune! Make sure to check out the Tribune's write-up here and go see it for yourself, located at Belmont and Lake Shore Drive.

Community Weekend at Belmont Undperass!

2011-07-25T12:08:00.002-05:00

Attention Lakeview! This weekend (Friday, July 29, Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31) join the crew at the Belmont and Lake Shore Drive Underpass to create the bricolage on the north wall!

All are invited- wear comfortable clothes that you won't mind getting dirty, and stay for as long or as short as you'd like!

This project, which will transform the Belmont underpass, has been made possible by Ald. Tunney and the 44th Ward.

See you there!

ASM/CPAG at Millenium Park

2011-07-18T10:42:00.009-05:00

As the summer moves on and the temperatures rise, Chicago Public Art Group and After School Matters continue to work together in Millennium Park to complete a massive mosaic project with 50 Chicago youth and artists Maria Gaspar, Mirtes Zwierzynski, Julia Sowles-Barlow, Allison Nault, Joann Li, and Adele Moss. The panels are set to be completed by August 12th and will be installed on the Museum Campus on Columbus Drive. The project is being worked on in the ASM tent on the south end of Millennium Park. It is open to the public to come in and watch all of the projects coming together. There is even a Gallery37 shop where you can purchase prints, skateboards, paintings and much, much more crafted by Chicago youth. Make sure to come down and support Chicago Public Art Group and After School Matters!

Windows and Mirrors @ ARC Gallery

2011-06-28T14:49:00.003-05:00

Don't miss the Window and Mirrors Exhibit and its Events that opens tomorrow, June 29 and runs through July 23 at ARC Gallery.

July 8 at 6pm, come see Tony Heriza and his documentary Concrete, Steel, and Paint, which explore the way that mural painting provided a space for prisoners and victim of violence to come together.

Albany Whipple Play Park

2011-06-23T15:35:00.009-05:00

The Albany Whipple Play Park is complete and is stunning!

CPAG Artist Phil Schuster created a fiberglass play sculpture of a spider and a sitting bench adorned with elements made by dozens of community members. Phil, along with The Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail and the Trust for Public Land , held numerous workshops for families to create clay sculptures and reliefs of natural imagery. These elements were then cast in latex and installed on the bench.

Please visit the park and see these beautiful works of public art! Albany Whipple Play Park is located at the intersection of N. Albany Ave. & W. Bloomingdale in the Logan Square/Humboldt Park area.

Join us Sat. June 4th, 10am for a Playground dedication!

2011-06-02T15:54:00.004-05:00

This Saturday, June 4th, at 10am, the Albany Whipple Playground will be opened and dedicated. The playground is located at Albany (3100 W) and Bloomingdale (1800 N) intersection near the Logan Square/Humboldt Park neighborhoods.

CPAG Artist Phil Schuster has created a beautiful curved concrete bench that has dozens of sculptures created by community members embedded on it. Phil has also made a giant fiberglass spider for climbing.

This project was made possible by the Chicago Park District.

Help secure funding for mural restorations!

2011-05-26T13:17:00.003-05:00

You can help one of CPAG's mural partners, Latino United Community Housing Association (LUCHA), compete for funding to restore two historic murals, Rompiendo las Cadenas and Honor Boricua.

LUCHA asks that you visit this link http://www.refresheverything.com/humboldtparkchicago and vote early and often daily between now and May 31!

You can also powervote: If you see any yellow Pepsi caps, please save them. There is a code underneath that enables you to have up to 100 extra votes. These will secure LUCHA a win!

CPAG Co-Founder on WEBZ

2011-05-26T13:00:00.002-05:00

CPAG's Co-Founder, John Pitman Weber was on Eight-Forty-Eight on WBEZ this week. Did you miss it? Listen here!

http://www.wbez.org/episode-segments/2011-05-23/helping-chicago-communities-express-themselves-through-public-art-86895http://

40 Over 40: Public Art Scene

2011-05-16T11:34:00.002-05:00

CPAG Executive Director Jon Pounds and Core Artist Olivia Gude were named to Chicago Art Magazine's 40 Over 40 list in the Public Art Scene category.

Check out the article, and congrats, Jon and Olivia!

http://chicagoartmagazine.com/2011/03/40-over-40-public-works-artists/

Osterman Beach Comfort Station is Complete!

2011-05-06T10:31:00.003-05:00

"Come to Light," the project at the Osterman Beach Comfort Station is complete! It is a beautiful, sparkling, and alive multi-media project. Congrats to Lead Artist Andy Bellomo and 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.

Update! Osterman Beach Project Volunteers!

2011-04-28T15:54:00.003-05:00

In spite of cold weather and relentless rain, the Osterman Beach Comfort station is pretty much complete, and volunteer days for Friday 4/29 and Saturday, 4/30 are thus cancelled. Way to go, fearless and tireless artist team!

Thank you to everyone who helped create this beautiful project-keep checking back here for updates about this project's dedication event and future volunteer opportunities.

Thanks!

Volunteers Needed! Osterman Beach Comfort Station

2011-04-21T10:06:00.003-05:00

Help us create a multi-media work of art on the outside walls of the Osterman Beach Comfort Station!

Join CPAG Lead Artist Andy Bellomo and help us create and complete public art on the exterior of the Osterman Beach Comfort Station on a north side beach.

Osterman Beach is on the corner of Sheridan and Ardmore. As you walk towards the beach, you will see the comfort station. The dates and times volunteers are needed are:

Today, April 21, until 5pm
Friday, April 22, 10am- 5pm
Saturday, April 23, 10am- 5pm
Monday, April 25, 10am- 5pm
Tuesday, April 26, 10am- 5pm
Wednesday, April 27, 10am- 5pm
Thursday, April 28, 10am- 5pm
Friday, April 29, 10am- 5pm
Saturday, April 30, 10am- 5pm.

This is a "drop-in" volunteer opportunity, so please feel free to stay as long or as little as you would like! Your help will be greatly appreciated as we we complete this beautiful project!

See you there!

The Work of Art. The Art of Play.

2011-03-08T11:31:00.005-06:00

Make sure to stop by the Chicago Cultural Center this coming Thursday, March 10th for a lecture by Executive Director Jon Pounds as he discusses CPAG's work throughout the city. Presented by Friends of the Parks and Active Transportation Alliance , the talk will cover murals, mosaics, sculpture and children's fanciful play equipment.

CPAG on TV and Thanks for Painting the Town!

2010-11-09T14:12:00.004-06:00

CPAG on WTTW's Chicago Tonight, Tonight! 11/9/10. 7pm CTE!
Set those DVRs or be around a TV tonight, as Chicago Public Art Group's playground art is being spotlighted in a segment for tonight's episode of Chicago Tonight at 7pm CTE, on WTTW.

For several years, CPAG and its artists have been creating playful artistic elements for numerous Chicago Park District playgrounds, such as Slimey the Snake, pictured here, from Commercial Club Park (created by Phil Schuster and Henri Marquet).

Tune in tonight to learn more about this type of playful art. Click here to see if WTTW (Chicago's PBS station) is available on your television.

Thanks for Painting the Town with Us!

Thank you to all who were involved in making Paint the Town such a success! Whether you attended, bought a sponsorship or ticket, invited friends, donated a work of art, or volunteered, we are grateful for your support and were delighted to celebrate with you!

Photos of the Event are available on CPAG's facebook page. (Be sure to "like" our page on facebook if you don't already).

Thank you so much to Honorees Alderman Mary Ann Smith and Indian Land Dancing, and Paint the Town Sponsors: All-Bry Construction, Ald. Mary Ann Smith, Art Chicago + NEXT, Chicago Youth Centers, Libby Lai-Bun Chiu, Civiltech, Columbia College Chicago, Donna Del Principe, Bourbon Tile & Marble, Marsha Dowd, Richard & Mary Gray, Walter Gude and Camille Romero, Holsten Real Estate Development Corp., Lakota Group, Landon Bone Baker Architects, t2 Arts, and Segal Company.

This Saturday and Next Saturday- Meet our Artists and our Playgrounds! And Congrats to Jon Pounds!

2010-10-06T15:37:00.003-05:00

Artful Play Playground Tours

As part of Chicago Artists Month, Chicago Public Art Group will have artists available at the following playgrounds at the corresponding times to discuss their process and explain why public art makes a great addition to playgrounds. Bring the kids to play on some of our fabulous creations- like Slimely the Snake pictured here (from Commerical Club Park).

Margate Park (4921 N. Marine Dr) Sat. oct 9, noon-4pm with Jim Brenner and Sat. Oct 16, noon-4pm with Corinne Peterson.

Mt. Greenwood Playground (3724 W. 111th St) Sat. Oct 9, noon-4pm with Todd Osborne, and Sat. Oct 16, noon-4pm with Jim Brenner.

Commercial Club Park (1845 W. Rice) Sat. Oct 9, noon-4pm with Phil Schuster, and Sat. Oct 16, noon-4pm with Jon Pounds.

Palmer Square Playlot (3100 W. Palmer) Sat. Oct 9, noon-4pm with Roman Villareal.

Jesse Owens Playground (8800 S. Clyde) Sat. Oct 9, noon-4pm with Julia Sowles-Barlow.

Skinner Park Playground (1331 W. Adams) Sat. Oct 16, noon-4pm with Phil Schuster.

Jon Pounds honored by Illinois State University
CPAG Executive Director Jon Pounds will be recognized by his alma mater, Illinois State University this fall. The ISU College of Fine Arts, from which Pounds received his undergraduate and graduate degrees, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Jon will be the keynote speaker at the alumni luncheon on October 15, 2010. Congrats, Jon!

And don't forget... Paint the Town is Oct. 21!

It's going to be a great event with live and silent art auctions, food, drink and great company! If you haven't already, buy your tickets now, and we'll see you at 1314 W. Randolph at 6pm on Thursday, Oct. 21!

Don't miss out on our fundraiser, Hyde Park tour & featured artists!

2010-09-29T14:40:00.010-05:00

Don't miss out! Our annual Fundraiser "Paint the Town" is fast approaching- Oct. 21- and discounted tickets are available only until Oct. 1! Click here to get your ticket now!

This year we will be honoring Alderman Mary Ann Smith and the project Indian Land Dancing (check it out above!)

Contact CPAG staff with any questions or call (312) 427-2724 x 14 to order your tickets or for information about sponsorships! ________________________________________________________________
In other news, if you are looking for something to do this Saturday, October 2nd come join us for a Hyde Park Public Art Tour at 2pm!

The tour will begin and end at 5226 S. Harper. Jon Pounds, CPAG's executive director, will be leading the tour that includes works from Margaret Burroughs, Terry Evans, John Himmelfarb and Calvin Holmes.

_______________________________________________________________ And finally...
October means it's Chicago Artists' Month! Congratulations to CPAG artists Bernard Williams and Rahmaan Barnes!

CPAG is also participating in CAM through numerous meet-and-greets taking place at various playgrounds throughout the city where CPAG has contributed to public art. Check out the following playgrounds on these days and times (drop in on one or more!):

Margate Park (4921 N. Marine Dr) Sat. oct 9, noon-4pm with Jim Brenner and Sat. Oct 16, noon-4pm with Corinne Peterson.

Mt. Greenwood Playground (3724 W. 111th St) Sat. Oct 9, noon-4pm with Todd Osborne, and Sat. Oct 16, noon-4pm with Jim Brenner.

Commercial Club Park (1845 W. Rice) Sat. Oct 9, noon-4pm with Phil Schuster, and Sat. Oct 16, noon-4pm with Jon Pounds.

Palmer Square Playlot (3100 W. Palmer) Sat. Oct 9, noon-4pm with Roman Villareal.

Jesse Owens Playground (8800 S. Clyde) Sat. Oct 9, noon-4pm with Julia Sowles0-Barlow.

Skinner Park Playground (1331 W. Adams) Sat. Oct 16, noon-4pm with Phil Schuster.

FREE DANCE PREFORMANCE AT SKINNER PARK!!

2010-09-24T15:44:00.006-05:00

DanceWorks Chicago will present excerpts from their repertoire as part of Chicago Performs! Sponsored by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, presented in partnership with the Chicago Park District's Performances in the Park series.

Inspired by Chicago Public Art Group's Vegetable Dragon by Phil Schuster

DanceWorks Chicago on the scene in the West Loop!!

Tuesday, September 28th at 2:45pm
Skinner Park, 1331 W Adams

FREE Dance Preformance!

DanceWorks Chicago is dedicated to creating an
environment conducive to nurturing experiences of significance for everyone
from artist to audience.

With inspiring artists and dances, DanceWorks Chicago is always moving.

Paint the Town 2010!

2010-09-15T16:20:00.005-05:00

Chicago Public Arts Group's annual benefit, Paint the Town, is coming up on Thursday, October 21st! Come enjoy silent and live auctions, food, drinks and fun while observing some of Chicago's finest artists. Paint the Town will be honoring Alderman Mary Ann Smith and Indian Land Dancing, which is pictured above (read on for more information about the CPAG's honored work!)
Tickets for Paint the Town are now available for $85 if purchased by October 1st and $100 thereafter. Please click here to purchase tickets. Or call/email Nora with questions or more information.

For Indian Land Dancing, CPAG artists Tracy Van Duinen, Todd Osborne, and Cynthia Weiss worked closely with several American Indian tribes to create a shared vision that celebrates the importance of family, community, and the value of knowing one's culture and history in our contemporary world. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of Alderman Smith, who initiated the project and was a dynamic force in making this vision a reality. Take a look under Lake Shore Drive at Foster Avenue to see how an ordinary underpass has become an inspirational drive-through gallery.

Update! Bloomingdale Trail Mural Dedication! New time and location!

2010-09-08T17:13:00.002-05:00

Please note that the dedication event for the Bloomingdale Trail Mural will now be held at

4:30- 5:30pm at the Humboldt Park Public Library (North Ave. and Troy St.) on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Note the new location and time.

See you there!

Spotlight on Two Fabulous CPAG projects, and Join Us For a Dedication

2010-09-03T12:24:00.005-05:00

Chicago Public Art Group has been working around Chicago this summer to create public art projects that are lasting testaments to the abilities and power of the communities that developed and fabrication each project. Check out two specific project from this year: Arc of Nature, located at the Bartlett Ravine in Fort Sheridan (part of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve), and Bloomgindale Mural, The Intro, located at Bloomingdale Ave. between Albany and Whipple Aves.
Arc of Nature, Bartlett Ravine, Fort Sheridan, part of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve.

Funded by Openlands, CPAG artists Ginny Sykes and Augustina Droze designed Arc of Nature as a multimedia mural that speaks to the particular ecosystem within the ravine environment and the ongoing restoration work of the ravine. Meant to inspire and engage visitors as they walk down the ravine towards the lake, the poetic, symbolic, and multilayered mural suggests real and metaphoric connections between the variety of human experiences with nature. This 32 feet by 50 feet mural, consisting of aluminum, mosaic glass tile, and painted surfaces, is an absolute beauty!

Congratulations to all involved: Ginny Symes, Augustina Droze, Julia Sowles-Barlow, Bart Conklin, Joann Li, and Kelley Leung! And special thanks to Openlands for being such a supportive partner and letting CPAG be a part of their overall Lakeshore Preserve Project! Be on the look out for information about the dedication of the entire Lakeshore Preserve Project.

Bloomingdale Mural, The Intro Bloomingdale Ave. between Albany and Whipple Aves. in the Logan Square neighborhood

Through a partnership with Logan Square Neighborhood Association, CPAG lead artist Juan Carlos Perez worked with youth apprentices, neighborhood residents, and volunteers to create this bright and optimistic mural, which brings a renewed sense of community to Logan Square. On August 21, volunteers from the Chicago Foundation for Women helped complete the mural.

Join us on Thursday, Sept. 9th at the mural site, 5pm-7pm to dedicate this mural and to honor all who were involved!

Special thanks to this project's funders and supporters: The Field Foundation of Illinois, the Chicago Foundation for Women, Friends of Bloomingdale Trail, The Trust for Public Land, Illinois Department of Human Services, and Put Illinois to Work.

Assistant Artists: William Nicholson and Patricia Sotarello.

Paint the Town 2010!

2010-08-24T13:03:00.004-05:00

Join CPAG, its artists, board, partners, and friends for a night of celebration and art!

Save the Date! Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, 6:30pm, at Prairie Production (1314 W. Randpolph St.)

Sponsorships are available. Email Nora (nora@cpag.net) for more information.

Buy your tickets now and save! Tickets are $85 each now through Oct. 1st. Tickets will be $100 each at the door. Click here to buy your tickets now.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

2010-06-25T16:21:00.004-05:00

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Help CPAG Artists install a NEW mural

this JULY!!

Location: BUTLER RAVINE - Ft. Sheridan, IL

DATES: July 14, 15, 16, 19, 20

Anytime from 9:00am to 5:00pm

If you can spare an hour or two, or more, please help support us! We need folks to help with on-site tasks to get this mural on the wall! No experience necessary, just a couple hours of your time!

For more information please contact Ginny Sykes at ginny@ginnysykes.com

Tracy and Todd's winning project in Grand Rapids, MI

2010-03-25T11:44:00.003-05:00

The Chicago Reader has a wonderful article about Tracy and Todd's entry into ArtPrize in Grand Rapid's MI last year.

CPAG in Chicagoist

2010-03-19T11:15:00.004-05:00

Chicagoist is running a series of articles about public art in Chicago. They started the series with Olivia's mural in Hyde Park! Can't wait to see what's next.

CPAG Public Art Challenge 2010

2010-03-11T16:37:00.001-06:00

We are up to the challenge!!!

Our ambitious goal is to raise $40,000 by March 31, 2010, and we need you to help us!. These funds will allow CPAG to operate from a stable financial base at a time when public art and a sense of community are most needed and yet most threatened—a time of economic and social stress.

You and I love Chicago! We love the complexity and diversity of the neighborhoods. We love turning a corner and seeing unexpected public art projects in surprising places. We love that some ugly surfaces are made not just beautiful, but meaningful. We love that beautiful places are made even more unique.

Our reach is significant. CPAG has produced hundreds, of public art projects throughout the city. Some are well known, others not so. I am sure if you take a look at the public art map at www.cpag.net , you know you will know some of them.

Chicago Public Art Group needs your financial support. Please make a gift today in appreciation of CPAG’s stewardship, creativity, and cultural contribution to our city.

CPAG Fundraiser at Crocodile Lounge

2010-03-02T11:45:00.003-06:00

Artist Rahmaan "Statik" is hosting a fundraiser for CPAG at Crocodile Lounge! Rahmaan will be producing a piece live at the event that will be auctioned off. All proceeds from the auction and 15% of what the Crocodile Lounge brings in that evening goes to CPAG to support our community arts programs. Please join us!! March 17th for a different kind of party on St. Patrick's Day!

March 17th 10PM - 2AM
Crocodile Lounge
1540 N. Milwaukee

A new Workshop!

2010-02-18T16:11:00.002-06:00

We have a great new workshop coming up in March We hope you can join us!

2010 workshops

2010-02-01T13:32:00.001-06:00

Wow!!! we had a great turn out for the mosaic workshop. It was wonderful to see and hear all the teachers in our back studio space nipping away at tile. Because this was such a great success we are planning more this year. Not only mosaics, but mural painting and other community art building workshops. More info to come soon!

Sweet Tooth

2010-01-08T13:51:00.003-06:00

If you are making plans for the Valentine's Day weekend get started on February 11th with Sweet Tooth: A Charity Bake Sale + Art Exihibition. Proceeds will go to a few non-profits...and we are included! Hope you can make it.

When: February 11th 6:00pm - 10:00PM

Where:2003 South Halsted Street in the Pilsen Chicago Arts District!

Happy New Year

2010-01-04T10:24:00.005-06:00

Chicago Public Art Group wishes everyone a Happy New Year! 2010 is already starting to look like a busy year. We look forward to updating everyone on our new and exciting projects. In the meantime you should check out the new exhibit at the Noyes Arts Center in Evanston…CPAG's friend and artist Carolyn Elaine (she co-led the 47^th Street project last year) is the curator of “A Call To Action”…Enjoy!

See what you've done!!!

2009-12-02T13:34:00.006-06:00

CPAG had an extraordinary year of projects! Our friends and supporters of course are the ones that make this happen. Please make a donation today!

Our Facebook page is bursting with project images, take a look to see what your donation has done to help spread beautiful public art throughout Chicago

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Chicago-Public-Art-Group/51677575795?ref=ts

Check it out! If you do not have a profile on Facebook that's ok, you can still see the photos.

Make your gift today!

Art panels are being installed on 53rd and 55th

2009-11-04T13:11:00.003-06:00

If you live in Hyde Park, or find yourself visiting Hyde Park...take a drive under the 53rd Street and 55th Street underpasses at Lake Park Ave. The steel panels that have lined the underpasses are being covered by large scale digital prints of studio work by Margaret Burroughs, Terry Evans, John Himmelfarb and Calvin Jones. Well worth a visit.

Paint the Town Update

2009-10-30T13:09:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets, sponsored or donated art to Paint the Town. We all had a wonderful time. Photos will be posted soon!

Paint the Town

2009-10-05T14:28:00.002-05:00

Join us for Paint the Town our annual dinner and art auction. October 15, 2009 at 6:00PM. At Prairie Production, 1314 W. Randolph. This year we are honoring Kerry James Marshall, Mary gray and the Chicago Park District.

The art auction wil feature pices by Kerry James Marshall, Hector Duarte, Ginny Sykes, Corinne Peterson and many others.

New project photos are up on Facebook

2009-09-30T11:54:00.002-05:00

We have a Facebook fan page that is regularly updated with project photos. So, if you don't have a Facebook page this is a good reason to, even if you use it only to view our projects. So take a look!

Spend the weekend with CPAG

2009-09-14T13:36:00.008-05:00

Openings and dedications...

First spend Friday morning with us at Jesse Owens Park 2032 E. 88th Street (9/18 10:30AM) for the opening of the renovated park. CPAG artist Julia Sowles created some pretty fabulous mosaic pillars and a mosaic medals stand for this Olympic inspired park. Every year the USOC picks a park to create and this is the one for 2009!

Then visit us again on Saturday Morning (9/19 at 10:00AM) for the dedication of the mural on the 47th Street underpass at Lake Park Ave. in Hyde Park. The mural is a beautiful project that incorporates photos of the Hyde Park and Kenwood communities. Residents submitted historical and present day photos of their families that were then fired onto tiles to be installed on the mural. Lead artists are John Pitman Weber and Carolyn Elaine.

Nominate CPAG

2009-09-01T16:43:00.001-05:00

The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards are coming up. Please follow the link below and suggest us for the Special Recognition Award. We don’t have to have a certain number of votes, but it would be nice if a few people outside of the CPAG staff nominated us.

http://app.lisc-cnda.org/application/suggest.aspx?award=7

2009 Season Highlights

2009-08-27T15:28:00.001-05:00

Check out the CPAG Facebook page for more photos from our 2009 Season.

Mural dedication at Project VIDA

2009-08-25T11:33:00.003-05:00

Please join us for the dedication of the mural at Project VIDA! August 29, 2009 at 2:00PM 2659 S. Kedvale. CPAG artist Maria Gaspar worked with a group of youth at Project VIDA on a bricolage and painted mural for the exterior wall of the organization. The mural will be dedicated during the 2009 Community Health Festival.

WTTW Chicago Tonight

2009-08-20T11:22:00.000-05:00

Watch tonight at 7:00PM Chicago Tonight on Channel 11 WTTW. Our Foster Ave. project Indian Land Dancing will be featured!

Tracy and Todd in Grand Rapids

2009-08-19T13:57:00.001-05:00

This is a wonderful article about a contest that Tracy and Todd just finished a project for in Grand Rapids.

Indian Land Dancing Dedication

2009-08-14T16:38:00.004-05:00

Please join us for the dedication of Indian Land Dancing. This project was a collaboration between CPAG, Alderman Mary Ann Smith and the Native American community in Chicago.

Date: August 22, 2009
Location: Foster Ave. and Lake Shore Drive
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00pm

We hope everyone can come out to see this exceptional project. We are inspired by the partnerships and friends we made this summer.

CPAG Corinne Peterson latest work

2009-07-29T12:05:00.004-05:00

On Sunday, July 12, Lutheran General Hospital's new Patient Tower and Meditation Garden were dedicated. That day Corinne took pictures of the garden and her seven Marker Sculptures which are installed throughout the space. The garden is a meditative space created for patients and their families and is nestled in between Lutheran General's new patient tower and the old hospital at 1775 Dempster in Park Ridge IL

Timeout Chicago Features Foster Ave. project

2009-07-28T12:39:00.001-05:00

Check out the great article about the Foster Ave. project.

2009-07-17T14:47:00.003-05:00

Community Volunteer days for 47th Street! Saturdays July 25 and August 1st. 10:00am - 3:00pm

CPAG artists John Pitman Weber and Carolyn Elaine are working with youth on a mural in the 47th Street underpass at Lake Park Ave.

Wear clothes that can get dirty and comfortable shoes. Depending on the progress of the project you may be tiling, grouting or painting on the wall!

Everyone is welcome!

House Party Fundraiser

2009-07-15T11:50:00.002-05:00

Join us for a wonderful Brazilian Dinner at the Vidal-Hallett residence. The Vidal-Hallett family are supporters of the arts in Chicago. They are opening up their house and their kitchen to CPAG for a fundraiser.

Suggested donation $20 if you bring a dessert or a drink
or $25 if you just bring yourself.

Sunday July 19, 2009
5:00-9:00 PM
1252 West Norwood, Chicago

RSVP to Maria at maria@cpag.net or

Carmen at
773-451-6032
cvidalhallett@ecovidaldesign.com

What other blogs are saying

2009-07-14T13:41:00.003-05:00

Here are a few blogs that have been talking about the Foster Ave. Project!!

www.theurbancoaster.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=395:edgewater-mosaic-brings-together-teens-and-community&catid=66:community&Itemid=83

www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/6/748553/-GUS:-Bricolage-Monday

www.glipress.blogspot.com/2009/07/public-art-bricolage-lake-shore-drive.html

CPAG Project Dedication

2009-07-10T15:39:00.002-05:00

Dedication of Community Mural, CPAG Open Studio Project, Artist Sonata Kazimeraitiene & the Open Studio Project

“A Mural Dedication Block Party”
Thursday, July 30th, 4-5:30 pm.
At the Brick Road Between the Main St. Metra and CTA stations
(1/2 block west of Chicago Ave., just south of Main St.)

In case of rain: Meet at Main St. Arts Depot 600 Main St. (Metra platform)

Welcome Remarks: Elizabeth B. Tisdahl, Mayor, City of Evanston
Food Provided by Trattoria D.O.C.
Music Provided by “The Musical Offering”
RSVP by June 25 to 847-475-0390 or info@openstudioproject.org

BravoTV Casting Call for artists

2009-07-09T11:00:00.001-05:00

I got this email today. If you are interested the casting call is next week. Could be fun just people watching that day.

Hi.

I’m writing from the production company that did Project Runway and Top Chef. We are casting a new show that will showcase emerging visual artists creating and competing on Bravo. Given the people involved, this project is going to have high impact in the art world. As someone who meets a lot of artists, we are hoping you might find this exciting enough to forward to appropriate people you know and let them know about applying. Open calls are fast approaching.

Thank you for considering forwarding or posting.

Full info on how to apply is available at www.BravoTV.com/casting, and see below:

*********************

Magical Elves (Peabody Award-winning Project Runway, Emmy Award-winning Top Chef) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-winner) and her production company, Pretty Matches, are teaming up for an hour-long creative competition series among aspiring contemporary artists who will create and compete to conquer the art world!

If you’re an emerging or mid-career visual artist with a unique, powerful voice that demands a bigger stage – well. . . Here. It. Is.

We want contemporary artists. Your medium could be one of many (or several of many) – painting, sculpture, installation, video, photography, mixed-media – we want voices that believe in their art and want the world to know.

*To be considered for the cast, attend one of our four regional casting calls around the country, see below.*

Go to www.BravoTV.com/casting to download an application and see what you need to bring with you to an open call.

GOOD LUCK.

*********************

OPEN CALL INFO:
LOS ANGELES
LA>http://laxart.org/
Saturday July 11th & Sunday, July 12th
10:00am - 2:00pm

MIAMI
Fredric Snitzer Gallery
http://snitzer.com/
Tuesday, July 14th
10:00am - 2:00pm

CHICAGO
School of the Art Institute : Sullivan Galleries : 33 State Street
http://www.saic.edu/
Thursday, July 16th
10:00am - 2:00pm

NEW YORK
White Columns
http://www.whitecolumns.org/
Saturday, July 18th & Sunday, July 19th
10:00am - 2:00pm

Upcoming CPAG Artist Shows

2009-06-26T13:49:00.005-05:00

Ginny Sykes Event
Alchemy and Archetype: Images in Black and White
New Drawings by Ginny Sykes
Opening Reception: July 2, 2009
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Ogilvie/Pertl Gallery
435 E. Illinois St. Ste 151
Chicago, IL 60611

Crowne Royal
The Artwork of
Damon Lamar Reed
Opening Reception July 10, 2009 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Lecture and discussion: 6:30 - 7:30pm

A great time in Edgewater.

2009-06-09T14:39:00.004-05:00

Wow it has been three weeks since we had the first volunteer event. Everyone had a great time in Edgewater the evening of May 30th. Volunteers gathered to paint in the design of the Foster Ave. project. At times there were over 50 people with paintbrushes in hand or observing the progress of the design. Painting started around 7:30pm. CPAG artists Tracy, Todd and Cynthia set up overhead projectors that they attached to a generator and projected the design onto the wall. Participants grabbed a brush and a cup full of paint and got started on the lines.

I ran around with a sign up sheet to get names and email addresses. If I missed you I am sorry, please let me know, but here are the people I did get....Ald. Mary Ann Smith
Maya Miyano, Marek Posard, Luke Schwankl, Monica Hammer, Debra Yepa-Pappan, Ji Hae Yepa-Pappan, Chris Pappan, Mike Starevic, Sue Henning, Lila Kaplan, Marti Murray, David Smalley, Erin McNamara, Timothy & Claire Gray (my kids) Nora Loyd, Pasha Nierenhausen, Chloe Al-Subagh, Mohammed Al-Subagn, Emily Andino, anthony Andino, Emily Escoto, Meenakshi Singh, Hashim Ali, Jonathon Medrabo, John Ho Hon, Lauren Besser, Richard Bresden, Nitti Hills, Rober Whapahi, John Joe, Gerry Lang, Lisa and Lilah White, Winfield Wounded-Eye....

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DAYS
If you would like to help out on the project...open volunteer days begin July 6th. Stop by Monday through Thursday or Saturdays from noon - 4:00PM. Wear clothes that can get dirty and comfortable shoes.

Ginny Sykes studio sale

2009-06-02T11:08:00.004-05:00

CPAG artist Ginny Sykes is having a studio sale! A portion of the proceeds will go to the programs at Chicago Public Art Group.

Foster Ave. Underpass Community Event

2009-05-28T15:57:00.006-05:00

Growing 2008 - Bryn Mawr Ave & Lake Shore Drive underpass

Join us for a community event in Edgewater Sat. night!

CPAG artists Tracvy VanDuinen and Todd Osborne are returning to Edgewater to work with youth from Alternatives, Inc. They are kicking off their summer project Saturday night at the Foster Ave. and Lake Shore Drive underpass. They will be projecting the final design on to the walls of the underpass and allowing community members to help draw in the lines of the design.

"We have opened this up to the community and is the first time we are doing this so we don't know how it will work. Depending on how many people show up, we may not get everyone on the wall at one time. We may have to take turns so everyone who comes places a mark on the wall. We are just hoping this will become another positive community building experience." says Tracy!

Details:
Saturday May 30th 7:30 p.m.
Foster Ave. under Lake Shore Drive.
Dress in layers, it gets cold as the night goes on.
We will bring everything for the projecting, you should bring what you need for a 3-4 hour event.

CPAG on WBEZ this morning

2009-05-19T11:46:00.005-05:00

A new mural (not a CPAG mural) was recently painted over by the city. CPAG's Jon Pounds was asked to speak on WBEZ's news magazine "848" about the incident and the role of public art.

Senior Artist Circle Discussion

2009-05-06T13:48:00.003-05:00

What would you want see from your SENIOR ARTIST CIRCLE?
Please post your thoughts here!! Later, as a group, the decision can be made on whether or not the SAC should be reinstated.

Below are some suggestions that have been made regarding the SAC. Feel free to comment on any of these or make new ones!!

The SAC is to be a self-governing group responsible for deciding what task/planning they want to take on i.e. workshop planning, cafes, etc.

The SAC will have shared responsibilities of the tasks once assigned to the Artist Liaison.

The SAC will serve as an advisory council to the Program Director –project development, artist selection/assignment on projects, current project progress, etc.

SAC will participate in project and peer evaluations

SAC elections, should be postponed until CPAG’s financial issues are addressed and we know the organization will survive.

Leave your comments below...

Maria Gaspar's website is up!

2009-04-30T12:29:00.002-05:00

CPAG Core Artist Maria Gaspar has her website up and running! Check out her link!

Heart of Rogers Park

2009-04-29T11:53:00.005-05:00

Here are more images of the progress Rogers Park Project with DevCorp North. Stop by the mural to see the progress. Rahmaan and Max are out there almost everyday...say hi and pay them a visit.

The Renaissance Society

2009-04-22T16:30:00.004-05:00

One of our new board members, Hamza Walker, is curating a show at The Renaissance Society
April 26 – June 7, 2009
Opening Reception: April 26, 4:00-7:00PM
5811 South Ellis Ave.

Several Silences -

Titled after an essay by the late philosopher and literary theoretician Jean-Francois Lyotard, Several Silences is a group exhibition exploring various kinds of silence. Artists listed are: Lewis Baltz | Troy Brauntuch | Manon de Boer | Paul Dickinson | Ryan Gander | Geissler and Sann | Gran Fury | C.M. von Hausswolff | Harold Mendez | Jonty Semper | Harry Shearer

Heart of Rogers Park

2009-04-21T10:12:00.005-05:00

This is from the Rogers Park project that Rahmann and Damon are working on with Dev Corp North.

Sneak a peek at PAM

2009-04-13T14:10:00.006-05:00

CPAG's Public Art Map...or PAM for short. Our intern, Ashley, is working on a map of CPAG's projects. When it is all done it will cover all of CPAG's projects from back-in-the-day until now. This is a work in progress and feedback is welcome.

View Chicago Public Art Group in a larger map

Siddha Weber at the Velvet Lounge

2009-04-09T16:43:00.000-05:00

Siddha Webber will be performing at the Velvet Lounge, 67 E 22nd Street, on Thursday, April 9 at 8PM.

He will be featured along with his band, the Ancestral Resurrection Ensemble, in a concert entitled: Art a Matter of Spiritual Survival.

Band members include:
Maggie Brown, guest singer
Ms Tasallem, poetess
Mwata Bowden: woodwinds
Harrison Bankhead: bass
Dervain Trenoir: trumpet
Ray Mosley: guitar
Samuel Muhammad: piano
Bill Simms: drums

Compositions to be rendered in music are:
Art Just Can't Be Art
Culture of Insanity
Pennies on the Dollar
Sacred Space
Love, Peace, and Gay

For details you may contact Siddha @ CSiddha@aol.com

WHYY interviews CPAG

2009-04-08T15:58:00.002-05:00

WHYY in Philadelphia contacted us to comment on a story they were doing on community murals.

Core Artist Events

2009-04-08T15:31:00.008-05:00

Core Artist Ginny Sykes has two shows running right now.

Hand Made Prints, Noyes Cultural Center, Evanston, IL

Eight new Drawings featured in group exhibition:
On the Pulse of This New Day
Catholic Theological Union
5416 S Cornell
Exhibits runs through April 15 Learn more at her website.

http://www.ginnysykes.com/

Also catch two of her performance pieces on YouTube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF-DYfSZcr4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUYeo1nhdNA

You are invited...

2009-04-03T12:08:00.005-05:00

Maria Gaspar, one of our Core Artists, is inviting everyone to her exhibition reception for my MFA Exhibition taking place: Wednesday, April 15th from 5-8pm at UIC's Gallery 400, 400 S. Peoria (Van Buren/Peoria). Included in this exhibition, are the work of fellow MFA students Charlie Deets, Chris Tourre, John-Paul Wolforth.

CPAG's first tour of 2009

2009-03-27T15:27:00.001-05:00

Students from Hamline University in Minnesota took a CPAG lead tour of public art projects in North Lawndale this morning. The students researched CPAG back in January and requested a tour from us that would align with their Service Learning trip.

One of our Core Artists

2009-03-27T12:34:00.007-05:00

The Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-duarte-city-zone-18-mar18,0,4871734.story
did a wonderful article about Hector Duarte's project at the National Museum of Mexican Art. More information about Hector can be found on our website www.cpag.net

Renewing the Arts

2009-03-25T15:29:00.005-05:00

CPAG was there for the Illinois Arts Alliance Member's Meeting.... The video is well worth seeing. Mr. Cameron is interesting, insightful and inspiring.

http://www.vimeo.com/3616140

Ben Cameron on Change, Transformation, and Renewal in the Arts from Illinois Arts Alliance on Vimeo.

Ben Cameron, renowned speaker, former theater professional, and arts activist, addresses arts professionals and supporters at the Illinois Arts Alliance 2009 Members' Meeting and Reception on February 24, 2009 at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois. Introduction by Martha Lavey of Steppenwolf. For more information, visit artsalliance.org.

Paint the Town

2009-03-23T12:30:00.002-05:00

CPAG has set the date for the annual fundraiser. "Paint the Town" will be held Thursday October 15, 2009. Event details are in the planning stages and if you would like to volunteer on the event committee contact Maria Gray at maria@cpag.net. The first event meeting will be April 1, 2009 at CPAG (1259 S. Wabash) everyone is welcome to join the fun.

Project with Dev Corp North gets started

2009-03-16T12:23:00.004-05:00

Rahmann Barnes and his assistant artists got started on the wall on Glenwood Ave. between Morse and Lunt in Rogers Park. This project is with DevCorp North and depicts the theme the Heart of Rogers Park. Last week they were able to get the wall primed before the weather became uncooperative.

Some of our 2008 projects

2009-02-26T16:30:00.008-06:00

Mosaic Totems at Mt. Greenwood Park. Artist: Todd Osborne

Oak Park Area Arts Council youth project "It's All about Movement....." Artists: Carolyn Elaine and Sonata Kazimieraitiene.

Hilliard Apartments "Structure is Sapce" Artist: Olivia Gude

47th Street Underpass "Instinctive Movements" Artists: Rahmaan Barnes and Max Sansing

Here we go again!

2009-02-26T15:12:00.003-06:00

We decided to expand the blog and hope you enjoy the new content. Our artists will be contributing as well as others that have interesting things to say. Leave your comments and let us know what kind of news and information you would like to see on the blog.

Don't forget to check out our Facebook page!

More news from Hanoi.

2008-06-13T11:26:00.005-05:00

CPAG Projects on display in large digital format.

Hi all,

It’s a little repetitive to say we’ve seen more of a beautiful country… and we have. An overnight trip to Ha Long Bay brought us into an archipelago of island forms that make it the current frontrunner on a UNESCO site that seeks votes for Seven Wonders of the World. Being good Chicagoans, O and I have voted early and often, though we have no delusions that our votes have put Ha Long Bay into its current lead. What an incredible place.

We’ve also been exceedingly busy lately. Many of our responsibilities are culminating tomorrow, Saturday, with the seminar of public art practices that was the impetus for Olivia and I being invited here. Tonight we attended an outdoor exhibition of images of public art projects from around the world, including Chicago.

Go figure, Chicago Public Art Group looked great in this context! CPAG images are richly varied by style, content, materials, etc. The exhibition included about 26 large format digital prints that were graphically redesigned by a UIC student located by Olivia. Also in the exhibition was work from Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program and some from other agencies and countries around the world. I can easily and appreciatively say, “CPAG looked great!”

Among other varied and appreciative supporters were the Ford Foundation, the New Hanoi People’s Committee, and the Vietnam Fine Arts Association: a cross section of agencies not easily matched in any one gathering in the US.

Vietnam is a culture and country that is rushing into modernism. They consider themselves to have been recently “backward”. It is actually a little hard to imagine where they will be in another 10-20 years of activity. Among the capacities being developed here is a “modern” mosaic process that produces tight grout lines using sheets of wet clay! Can you figure the production issues that make this work and reduce costs per square foot?

More to come.

Jon

2008-06-06T12:24:00.009-05:00

Hanoi is situated along the Red River at a site determined in 1010 AD when King Ly Thai of Vietnam saw a cloud in the shape of a dragon arising from the water. He proclaimed that the vision made the place an auspicious site for the new capitol of Vietnam. Nonetheless, during the rainy season, fed by mountain streams, the Red River would regularly flood Hanoi. An early “public works” program constructed a long earthen dyke along the river to protect the city from flooding. In 1990 the urban part of the dyke was reinforced with concrete, improving the effectiveness as the wall ran through the city of Hanoi. Last year, nearly 3½ miles of this dyke became the focus of the current project by Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural program in anticipation of the 1000 year anniversary of the founding of Hanoi in 2010.

A portion of the dike wall.

Jon

June 5, 2008

2008-06-06T10:38:00.008-05:00

Hi there,

O and I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Mai Chau, one of the earliest sights of modern Vietnamese tourism. During the height of the war, a guy starting hosting people in his home from all over the world. We met him today, 83 years old, with pictures of Ho Chi Minh and others on the walls of his home.

We slept well under mosquito netting on thin pads over bamboo caning as the floor of a guesthouse on stilts. Waking this morning, it was quite foggy as we peeked out a window right above our head onto a pond where the evening before we’d watched kids playing on bamboo rafts; today we saw only a white/gray vision punctuated by a two new blossoms from the water lilies.

Unbelievable landscape. If I painted you a picture, you’d think I was making it all up.

This evening we took a cab into central Hanoi. We went to a bookstore to get a guidebook—sadly my advance planning of buying a guidebook in Chicago worked well, but broke down when I left the guidebook in Chicago. We got a great book with history of Hanoi and I got a book on the 20-year new economic plan of Vietnam—a mixture of socialism and market economy. Seems to be working pretty well.

J and O

June 5, 2008

2008-06-05T11:13:00.000-05:00

Back from the journey to the country. Very beautiful. This is a photo of the building I saw at the Ethnographic Museum on Sunday, but it is different than the guest house we stayed in last night.

The village where we stayed.

All buildings are on stilts. This is the view from our guest house’s first floor.

Jon

June 3, 2008

2008-06-05T11:11:00.001-05:00

8:00 AM, A quick check in before heading off on a two day visit to a traditional Vietnamese village in the Mai Chau valley. Tonight we’ll be sleeping in a stilted, thatched roof building: the roof towers about 50-60’ above the ground. We think we’re well acclimated to the time zone change at this time. We’re sleeping near normal hours. Now we have to get acclimated to being in a RURAL place. Yikes. This may be the biggest change yet.

We’ll be without email. We’re packing light and keeping our room at the Oriental Palace. Likely the cell phone will not be working. We’ve been working on some writing here in preparation of the public program next week.

We have been feted and treated really well here. Our hosts had us to their home for dinner last night. Crowded street. Four story tall home. The first floor had only the kitchen and the dining room. Vertical living.

We’ve been meeting French and Vietnamese artists. And yesterday a Californian ceramicist who has long ties to Vietnam arrived to take part of the program too.
The previous description of traffic might have been improved by calling to mind the filmed bloodstreams that you will remember - all sorts of things moving fluidly in one direction without more than momentary stops.
More in a couple days.
Jon

Monday 6/2/2008

2008-06-05T11:09:00.001-05:00

Actually taking a bit slower day today than the two days since our arrival. Jet lag is about cured.

Pretty much whatever you imagine about Hanoi is both right and wrong. This is a city on the make. Making itself over with amazing energy. It will double its population (to 6 million) on August 1 when many surrounding towns will be suddenly be incorporated into the city.

We've had a busy schedule so far. On Saturday we were met by our hosts of the Hanoi Ceramic Mural and did some planning and sightseeing and sipping coffee at a lakeside, French influenced cafe. Yesterday we spent the day touring more of Hanoi, visiting a ceramic village (imagine 2000 artists and artisans in one place about 15 miles out of the center of Hanoi, but still in the city). An amazing array of work, both traditional and non-traditional. IKEA and many other big box stores have stuff made here. Our entrepreneurial host in the village showed us his factory, including work being done on a mosaic with CPAG's logo in it. The logo is being done in a intriguing new technique for mosaic making that I will write up shortly. It is done entirely on WET clay.

There are virtually no street signs or traffic signals here. The traffic (scooters, cars, trucks, bikes, and pedestrians) move constantly in conditions that we would find nerve wracking, but that actually keep a great deal of traffic moving smoothly. Horns are used, but not in anger or frustration. Rather little taps that sound like "I see you, I want to be sure you see me". Roundabouts are the most anxiety producing for me (though I'm not driving) as all manner of traffic intersects going every which direction. Sunday night, 6 PM, construction sites going with cranes, smaller scale projects running everywhere, 3 million Hanoi residents with 6 million scooters may be a joke here, but I’m not sure its a joke.

Jon

It's Saturday Night Here

2008-06-05T11:07:00.000-05:00

And we're on the ground and well. 12 hours earlier that Chicago at any point.

No accidents, no incidents. Long trip followed by a fine arrival.

More when I'm slightly more coherent.

Jon

2008-05-30T11:39:00.000-05:00

Jon left for a chance-in-a-lifetime trip to Hanoi Vietnam on Thursady, 5/29. He is consulting on a public art project...a 6km dike along the Hong River in Hanoi that is being covered by a mosaic to commemorate Hanoi's 1000th anniversary.

Read more about the project at....
http://www.hanoimural.vn/?portal=news&page=introduction_detail&id=31