We're about to kick off on an action adventure in Rogers Park. Last night was the last meeting before it all begins, Dustin, Leah & Matt are on the wall priming today. Tonight everyone breaks out the overhead projectors and the generator.
This is the Rogers Park Mile of Murals project ... it's a long term project through the Rogers Park Business Alliance (http://www.rogers-park.com/2009/04/mile-of-murals-on-glenwood.html)
"As part of the comprehensive commercial revitalization plan put in place by RPBA, the second phase of the Mile of Murals project is being implemented. In March, after receiving final approval from the CTA and the support of Alderman Moore’s office, RPBA and the Clark/Morse/Glenwood Special Service Area (SSA #24) began preparing the retaining wall for a mural on the west side of Glenwood between Morse and Lunt. The design theme is “Welcome to Rogers Park”. "
This year the themes are related to the Heartland Cafe's history and community. Politics, community, music, and good food. Yummy sweet potato fries.
My design so far:
It's a cornucopia, and since it's for the Heartland and they've been there 35 odd years I figured a tie-dye heart would be trippy appropriate and rainbow bold. The swirly stuff to the left links to Mona's pots in the Chef's kitchen, some good food magic smells wafting on over.
And I think I'll be shoving the heart over to the right a bit more. b.j. will be painting with me, and she's not too impressed with the dead-center composition. She's right! And Lea's is to my right with the Heartland's owners and some more green along the edge, nothing needing to bleed on over, so it should work well. Mona is to my left, with the Chef's of Heartland.
All the good stuff (blog picture-wise) starts today.
I'm so impressed with Dustin & Lea's organizational efforts. They have cornered the grants, found the artists, prepped the walls, searched out images & content sources, kept everyone in sync and generally made it very easy to just come on in and be happy artists.
Lea & Dustin
It like being a kid in an art class, the teachers have set it all up!
I'm also looking forward to a crash-course in spray can use on Monday morning. Won will run thru the basics with those of us who are interested.
Deb & I use spray equipment quite happily, but I've always been keen to learn the graffiti artist's tools.
The other adventure has been contacting radio & TV and newspaper people. Oh my. I feel so brave - hopefully I got the info right!
I'm looking forward to posting more interesting pictures as we go along ... and hopefully you'll read about us in a newspaper article, hear the pfft-bpt of our spray cans on the radio, or see us on TV.
