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Arts Alive Chicago is comprised of Chicago residents and artists. With representation from the northwest side (30th, 38th, 39th, 45th, and 49th wards) and more recently the south side (11th, 15th and 17th wards), Arts Alive Chicago engages diverse groups in the power of creative expression and storytelling, working to bring public art experiences to resource-poor communities.

In its six years of operation, Arts Alive Chicago has created 35 public art murals as part of community engagement projects, partnered with 4 Chambers of Commerce on events and art partnerships, received grants to initiate programs in schools, commissioned murals in partnership with the National Veteran’s Art Museum, worked with the Eagle Scouts and the Cook County Forest Preserves on multiple scout and civic projects, and has earned a reputation for high quality work, integrity, and involvement.

2017 Year-in-Review

Murals

“Uptown Jazz” – Jerry Rogowski mural – Redline Lawrence Ave. station

“Under LSD” – Tony Passero mural – Lake Shore Drive Viaduct @ Montrose

“Eagle Scout Wings” – Cyd Smillie/Michael Fitzpatrick design – Eagle Scout Project/LaBaugh Woods

“What We Create” – Cyd Smillie mural – 63rd & Honore – I Grow Chicago partners

“Put the F***ing Guns Down” – Ken Holmes mural – Honore & 64th – I Grow Chicago partners

“Mane Event” – Tony Passero mural – Hawthorne Race Course

“Horses Wild” – Cyd Smillie mural – Hawthorne Race Course

“Run Around” – Jerry Rogowski mural – Hawthorne Race Course

“Bezazian Library Mural” – Tony Passero revitalization – Chicago Public Library

Festivals

“Chicago Fringe Fest” – Fringe Central backdrop/decor- Cyd Smillie artist

“Have-A-Seat” – Amy Jo Arndt chair project – Six Corners Bar-B-Que Fest partners

“Peace Fest” – Cyd Smillie peace wall – I Grow Chicago partners

Sculptures/Installations
“Teri’s Tree” – Cyd Smillie installation – Richmond, VA
“Peace House Canine” – Clarence designed PAWS Canine -Cyd Smillie assist
Civic Partnerships
“People Spots” – Cyd Smillie painted mandalas – Six Corners Association
“Swan Song Piano” – Tony Passero  original piano – Six Corners Association
Valspar/CPS mural project

2016 Year-In-Review

MURALS
“The Leather, The Wood and the Dream” – 35th Street project designed by Cyd Smillie “Baseball Rules” – 35th Street community mural project designed by Cyd Smillie
“Ahmed Memorial” – Build-On mural project- mobile mural starting on Schurz grounds
“Belding Grows” – Belding pen-pal mural – installed in the school
“Barton Elementary” – Barton pen-pal mural – installed in school
“Bicycle Fairy” – 6 Corners mobile mural program – Cyd Smillie
“Spin Cycle” – Tony Passero design/artist
“Coy Wolf” – Tony Passero design/artist
“Jeff Park Cubs Mural” – Tony Passero design – Tony and Jerry Rogowski artists
“Emerald City” – Shawn Cassara artist
“Jelly Flowers” – Adriana Pena artist
“Monster Sundae” – Juleesa Torres artist“Windy” – Angel Pagan artist “Spoken” – Elliana Given artistPARTNERSHIPSChicago Fringe Festival – art support and consulting
Filament Theatre – Character cut-outs, equipment support
C3 – Equipment support for photo show @ Jeff Fest Music and Arts Festival
6 Corners Association – window art program, mobile mural program, people spot art OIPA – mural maintenance and restoration
Chicago Sculpture Exhibit – fund-raise and install 2 sculptures
Jeff Park Forward/Boy Scouts – Holiday lights and decorations
St. Viator Girl Scouts – kindness rocksSCHOOLSBuild-On – Memorial mural project teacher/consultant Belding Elementary – Pen-pal project administrator Barton Elementary – Pen-pal project administrator

INTERNSHIPS
Summer interns working on mural projects throughout the city

2015 Year-in-Review

Murals

  • “GATEWAY MURAL – SOUTH” design Jill Arena / painters Cyd Smillie & interns
  • “JUMBO JET” by Tony Passero – Pulaski off-ramp (not done as Arts Alive project)
  • “GATEWAY MURAL – NORTH” design Jill Arena / painters Cyd Smillie & interns 
  • “TREE OF LIFE” by Jerry Rogowski – Ainsly at Lipps
  • “LYDIA HOME MURAL” design Jill Arena/ painters Cyd Smillie & interns- Irving Park
  • “CANARYVILLE” consultant
  • Restoration, drip edge and sealing: work done by Tony, Jerry and Cyd
  • Neil Shapiro’s Mural on Pulski
  • OIPA/Amy Hanks Mural on Pulaski
  • Rafael Lopez Mural on Addison
  • OIPA Mural on Kostner
  • “Re:Thinking” on Ainsley – seal
  • “Positive Babel” clean, repaint meridian

FESTIVALS

  • JEFF FEST MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL – Organize art activities for family area
    • Curate talent for park
    • Provide scenic backdrop for stage
    • Provide sound equipment for floating performances
    • Provide screens and projectors for films
  • CHICAGO FRINGE FEST – Partner on artwork in alley and on windows
  • CHICAGO KIDS CREATE – Mentor teaching artist programs
    • Provide classroom assistance
    • Provide supplies
  • CHICAGO SCULPTURE EXHIBIT – Secure funding partners & locations
  • SIX CORNERS ASSOCIATION -Painted storefronts
    • Bicycle Mural project
    • Design committee
    • SSA input
  • NEIU MURAL PROJECT Consultants
  • FILAMENT THEATRE – Painted storefronts
  • CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST – City/Cite event
  • JEFF PARK CHAMBER Holiday tree lighting
  • SSA design committee
    • Business development committee
  • RANQUIST DEVELOPMENT Peace Art program for fence
  • ARCHEWORKS/GOOD CITY Alley installation labor and supplies
  • ALDERMAN ARENA Equipment supply
    • Art consulting
    • Build barricades
    • Paint curbs
    • Paint BEARD school puzzles
    • Grafitti removal
  • NORTHPARK UNIVERSITY – Women in the Arts for Peace presenter
  • INTERNSHIP PROGRAM – 6 area high school interns during summer
  • Additional art based opportunities for service hours
  • BARTON/BELDING PEN PALS Design and implement art component
  • SCHURZ HIGH SCHOOL Participate in Makers Faire
  • Launch Food Science Lab
    • Grant writing
  • FOODSEUM LAUNCH Paint map of the world for display
  • ROMA’S Design and paint vintage style signs

2014 year-in-review

Murals:

  • “RE:THINKING” by Cyd Smillie – Ainsley at Avondale
  • “WHOOT”by Tony Sparrow – Belmont at Kedzie
  • “CROSSCUTS”  by Tony Sparrow – Addison at Avondale
  • “BECOME” by Cyd Smillie – Northwestern Business College
  • “AFTER VIVALDI”  by Cyd Smillie – Elston at Forest Glen
  • “GATEWAY MURAL”  by Jill Arena – Irving Park at Kenton
  • “NEIGHBORHOOD ELEVATION” by Anthony Llewellen – Cicero at Gunnison – consultant capacity
  • “CANARYVILLE” consultant
  • Restoration of one panel of OIPA mural on Keeler

Festivals/Partnerships

  • SIX CORNERS BAR-B-QUE FEST –
    • Bicycle building booth to create sculptures
    • Painted storefronts
  • JEFF FEST MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL–
    • Organize art activities for family area
    • Provide scenic backdrop for stage
    • Provide sound equipment for floating performances
    • Provide screens and projectors for film presentations
    • Create signage
  • CHICAGO FRINGE FEST– Partner on yarn bombing of alley
  • CHICAGO ARTISTS MONTH–
    • Curate 6 events for area
    • Procure venues for events
    • Paint windows and promote events
    • Provide screens and equipment for film events
  • SIX CORNERS HALLOWEEN FEST- Planning, decorations and Pumpkin project
  • CHICAGO KIDS CREATE-
    • Mentor teaching artist programs
    • Provide classroom assistance
    • Provide supplies
  • CHICAGO SCULPTURE EXHIBIT– Secure funding partners & locations
  • NATIONAL VETERANS ART MUSEUM–
    • Organize Bike ride
    • Curate Bicycle art for event
  • NORTH RIVER COMMISSION– Work with SIU teacher pipeline project
  • SIX CORNERS ASSOCIATION–
    • Painted storefronts
    • Sculpture projects
    • Mainstreet USA panelist
    • EXPO representation
  • FILAMENT THEATRE–
    • Painted storefronts
    • Scenic painting
  • CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST/OIPA– On the Table event
  • JEFF PARK HISTORIC SOCIETY– Artwork for plaque
  • LAKE EFFECT BREWERY– Label design for commemorative beer
  • JOSI’S YOGURT– In-store artwork
  • SHELTER HER– Supply art and artists for charity event
  • SRB GARDEN- Design and paint signs
  • GENESIS THEATRE– Fiscal agent for show
  • SCHURZ/ART 21 SHOWING- Arrange space and materials, promote
  • UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS/CHICAGO–
    • Freshman “know your city” program
    • Hands-on experience with community service
  • SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY-Urban resources tour
  • SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE-Urban planning and public art tour
  • UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO-Urban planning and placemaking project
  • NORTHWESTERN BUSINESS COLLEGE– Design seminar for business students
  • INTERNSHIP PROGRAM–
    • 4 area high school interns during summer
    • Additional art based opportunities for service hours