Mural to honor Roselle's 100 years

To commemorate the 100 years since Roselle's founding, the village plans to unveil a mural this summer that celebrates the village's past, present, and future.

Lora Troesken, president of the Roselle Arts and Culture Foundation, is spearheading a mural art project on the side wall of the 8,000 Miles Restaurant in downtown Roselle, adjacent to Roselle's Civic Plaza.

The mural will be designed and completed by the Green Star Movement, a Chicago-based nonprofit that pulls together local artists to make public street art.

Troesken, a 23-year resident of Roselle, said Green Star spoke to her because of the chance to let young artists use their talents to celebrate the story of Roselle.

Troesken expects the art to last for decades. She said the mosaic Green Star did at Burr Elementary School in Chicago inspired her to reach out to the group.

"Public art levels up a community," Troesken said.

"There shouldn't be an income barrier to access great art. Folks who build something from nothing takes a strong unwavering vision to pull off."

The final design has not yet been unveiled, but the creation of the piece is in three phases.

Phase one was asking ideas from Roselle students as to a person, place, object, or phrase they best felt represented Roselle's past, present, and/or future.

Phase two involves Green Star holding design workshops with local art teachers and sharing the students' ideas among themselves.

Phase three will be the actual construction and creation of the mural, with a four- to six-week work period that is slated to begin in July.

Troesken said the plans are to unveil the finished mural in August at the Taste of Roselle festival.