Murals

2022 murals include “…AND THE BEES” and “STAY TUNED” both designed and painted by Cyd Smillie, “TORRANCE PLACE” designed by Wes Daniels and painted by Cyd and Wes, “MUSIC YOU CAN SEE” a huge mural collaboration organized by Cyd Smillie with Shawnimals, Pennypinch, Carly Derec, Kathryn Eli and Cyd Smillie artists.

Finishing out the 2021 year, Arts Alive Chicago hired 3 interns (for Covid protocol) from NEIU to help with an after school visual arts program @Hibbard Elementary in Albany Park. 5th and 6th graders experience collagraph, block printing and of course mural painting.

UPDATE to the Irving Park Gateway Mural

After close to 10 years the old mural had seen a lot of damage, so designer Jill Arena stepped up with a fresh new design inspired by the Audubon Society’s call for bird murals to raise awareness. Cyd Smillie was lead artist with community volunteers and artistry by Jerry Rogowski.

“Loteria ” mural for Cafe Fenix

Arts Alive Chicago’s summer mural was designed by Jill Arena for Cafe Fenix (the retail branch of Centro San Bonifacio) in Avondale. This mural features images from the popular card game, “Loteria” and was part of a Covid-19 socially distanced community project. Cyd Smillie was lead artist.

Gale Street Inn Gets Color

2020 Starts with MLK Day Project

This year’s MLK Day project was created by the participants at I Grow Chicago’s Peace House for the walls of One Hope United a private social service agency. 50 Participants painted large and small images based on MLK quotes about love and justice.

2019 Murals include 2 mural projects at Hibbard Elementary in Albany Park, 18 murals and a job training program in down town Chicago and a wall of honor on I Grow Chicago’s Peace Campus in Englewood.

In 2011 Arts Alive Chicago (then Arts Alive/45) started by painting storefronts and murals to honor those in our community who define us and make us great. We continue to use our paint brushes to attract new artists, designers, businesses and smiles. For more information about individual murals contact us through the contact form here

2018 MURALS:

King of peace wall mural — “King of Peace”

“Messages”

wall mural titled “In service” — “In Service”

united states marine corps — Veterans Mural Columns

united states navy — Veterans Mural Columns

united states air force — Veterans Mural Columns

historic letters wall mural — Historic letters

school letters wall mural — School letters

“the ultimate” wall mural — The ultimate

“the mail drive” wall mural — The maildrive

Canaryville tribute mural — Canaryville tribute

Canaryville veterans mural — Canaryville Veterans

2017 MURALS:

a man painting a mural — Jerry tunes up the piece

“under lsd” mural — Tony Passero’s “Under LSD Mural”

“what we create” mural — “What We Create” by Cyd Smillie

“put the guns down” mural — Ken Holmes’ “Put the Guns Down”

“horses wild” mural — “Horses Wild” by Cyd Smillie

“run around” mural — “Run Around” by Jerry Rogowski

2016 Murals:

“baseball rules” mural — “Baseball Rules” – C. Smillie design

“ahmed memorial” mural — “Ahmed Memorial” – C Smillie design/student

“river’s memory” mural — “River’s Memory” – C. Smillie design

“The leather, the wood, and the dream” mural — “The Leather, The Wood & The Dream” – C. Smillie design

“monster sundae” mural — Juleesa Pena- Monster Sundae

“bicycle fairy” mural — Cyd Smillie-Bicycle Fairy

2015 Murals:

emerald city mural — Shawn Casara-Emerald City

tree of life mural — Jerry Rogowski – Tree of Life

2014 Murals:

A colorful mural painted on a wall under a bridge. — Jill Arena- Gateway

wall mural with reindeers — Cyd Smillie-After Vivaldi

Re:Thinking mural — Cyd Smillie-Re:Thinking

Arts Alive Chicago also mentored North Mayfair in the commissioning, selecting and executing their first mural: NEIGHBORHOOD ELEVATION- designer Anthony LLewellen/lead artist Anthony Llewellen- North Mayfair funded (October 2014)

Arts Alive Chicago