Miguel A. Del Real

By CGN Staff

Art Encounter announced that its Evanston Mural Arts Program has had a busy summer season and it shared two new projects: a first-ever ground mural in downtown Evanston designed and painted by artist Miguel A. Del Real, and an outdoor butterfly garden mural led by Mario Mena with students at Chute Middle School.

All of the organization's 30+ mural projects, artists, and partners on the Art Encounter website, and visitors are also able to use AE's Google map to visit murals in person. Details are included below.

EMAP's first-ever ground mural project wrapped up just a few weeks ago, and we're thrilled with the results! The pedestrian plaza at 1603 Orrington Ave in downtown Evanston is now home to a vibrant, sprawling piece of art. Chicago artist Miguel A. Del Real used a colorblind-accessible palette to create the dynamic composition full of organic movement and art deco flourishes. This piece required the use of paint specifically created for ground murals, which adheres permanently to the concrete and provides a textured surface that ensure safety and longevity. The abstracted floral design creates an immersive, interactive experience for all who visit, and is equally striking whether viewed from ground level or from above by those in the Orrington Plaza building! 

Thank you to the sponsors and community partners who made this project possible: Downtown Evanston, Golub & Company, Hagerty Consulting, Magnetar Capital LLC, UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement, and the City of Evanston.

Celebrating Migration, Transformation, and Nature

With artist Mario Mena

From March to June, Chicago artist and teacher Mario Mena collaborated with 6th–8th graders at Chute Middle School to lead a striking outdoor mural project that beautifully complements the school's Okano Butterfly Garden. Chute's Green STEAM Club, 8th grade Advanced Art and Advanced Media Art classes, and additional 6th- 8th graders participated in all parts of the mural-making process with Mario, including conceptualizing the artwork's themes, designing the images, and painting the final product. Each section of the mural was painted on a synthetic mural fabric material called polytab, allowing students to work on the mural in the classroom before the pieces were adhered to the wall in early June. Mario then painted additional finishing touches directly onto the brick. The resulting mural evokes ideas of home, migration, and transformation, celebrating Chute's unique student population and their stories. Make sure to walk or drive by the school on Oakton Street to see it in person!

Thank you to Chute teachers Sherri Kushner, Jamal Duncan, and Wendy Mohrenweiser for inspiring this mural and to Healing Illinois, which provided the grant that made this uplifting project possible. Extra thanks to Damon Lamar Reed and Terrence Haymer for their leadership with the polytab installation!