College of DuPage unveils downtown Glen Ellyn mural, launching DuPage Public Art Project
College of DuPage and community leaders recently unveiled two, 8-by-10-foot acrylic murals painted by world-renowned artist and COD alumnus Tony Fitzpatrick in the heart of downtown Glen Ellyn.
The Fitzpatrick murals are part of COD's DuPage Public Art Project, an initiative designed to foster continued arts involvement within neighborhoods in the District 502 community.
"College of DuPage is committed to supporting arts, culture and community engagement throughout the college community and beyond," said COD President Dr. Brian Caputo. "The DuPage Public Art Project will foster partnership and continued involvement within communities throughout District 502."
Depicting native birds, the murals are linked to Fitzpatrick's upcoming exhibition "Tony Fitzpatrick: Jesus of Western Avenue," which opens Saturday, Oct. 16, and runs through Monday, Jan. 31, at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at COD's McAninch Arts Center.
"Tony's works are a perfect first project to launch this public art initiative as he grew up in DuPage County and has many connections to COD," said Cleve Carney Museum of Art Curator Justin Witte. "He also was close friends with the founding donor of the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, Cleve Carney. The timing of this installation is ideal as it serves as a precursor to his upcoming exhibition."
"Tony Fitzpatrick: Jesus of Western Avenue" will feature more than 60 recent prints, drawings and collages. These graphically rich and inventive works deliver messages and stories that reflect on the artist's connection to Chicago, his social and political concerns, and our shared changing reality.
"We couldn't think of a better artist than Tony to celebrate the opening of the new museum in an arts center," said McAninch Arts Center Director Diana Martinez. "He is an actor, a writer, an alum of the college and a world-renowned artist. There is no one more fitting. We are honored to welcome him home for our inaugural community art installation."
Learn more about Fitzpatrick's upcoming exhibition at theccma.org.