Colorful murals brighten the suburbs. Here’s where to see them
Painted on the walls of suburban buildings and underpasses, dozens of colorful public murals brighten an otherwise drab winter landscape.
Mundelein alone boasts three of the public art installations. Two are located downtown, including a new creation across the parking lot from Luke's restaurant.
Another, dedicated in November, enlivens a concrete wall at the Lions Park skate park. Former Mundelein resident Amanda E. Gross was hired by the village-funded Mundelein Arts Commission to paint the 28-foot by 6-foot mural.
“I'm so proud of the mural,” Gross said at the time of its dedication. “It's my favorite project thus far, in 20 years as a professional artist.”
Luke's of Mundelein owner Mike Majestic commissioned the 50-foot by 19-foot mural painted by a team of artists on a two-story building across from his restaurant. It depicts a 1940s-era city street scene with village-inspired buildings, complete with a hot dog stand.
The third mural is located on Park Street next to an outdoor dining area, and features “Mundelein” in bold, colorful letters.
In Glen Ellyn, artist Geoff Bevington painted a mural on the wall of Olive 'n Vinnie's market during the summer of 2020. The mural honors Mexican icon Frida Kahlo and was painted in anticipation of a major exhibition of her paintings at the College of DuPage that year.
Located near the Metra station and a busy trail, the mural is viewed by thousands of people each day.
The East Dundee Arts Council’s first commissioned mural was completed this summer. Created by teen artist Maddie Deiters of downstate Marion, the mural can be seen on the east side of a building at Jackson and North River streets.
Murals are not limited just to buildings. Some can be found on the walls of underpasses that separate pedestrians and bicyclists from busy roadways and railroad tracks, including in Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights and Palatine.
The Kirchoff Underpass Mural, located where Kirchoff Road passes over Salt Creek and a walking trail, was painted by 14 members of the Rolling Meadows High School Art Club between April and June 2022. It features eight segments depicting life in town.
In Arlington Heights, pedestrians and bicyclists traveling through the underpass between Northwest Highway and East Davis Street are greeted by a bold mural dedicated on Aug. 15, 2022. It was painted by 16 local artists and intended to reflect a diverse and inclusive community. “Arlington” is featured on one side, and “Heights” on the other.
In 2021, village resident Samira Alhosini and 10-year-old daughter Jasmine painted colorful murals depicting a sunrise bike ride in a pedestrian tunnel under Hicks Road in Palatine.