New mural honors Naperville history, parades

It's no secret Naperville has long had a love affair with its parades and that affection is now being documented with a pair of Century Walk murals being painted downtown.

They will be the 38th and 39th pieces respectively since the outdoor public art project began in 1995.

Century Walk Corp. President Brand Bobosky said the “Parade of the Century, currently being painted just off Main Street between Jackson and Jefferson avenues, has been planned for more than 10 years.

“We're finally getting to it and it's just great, Bobosky said Friday morning. “The other pieces came first and that's OK. But I'm thrilled this one is under way.

The four-color silhouette mural starts at Main Street and stretches 100 feet west with scenes from early 1900 parades that continue to progress through time until the present.

“We've never done a silhouette before but we felt it was appropriate for this one to add depth, Bobosky said. “Even in the almost shadowy style, though, you'll see doughboys, flappers, figures from the Second World War, Boy Scouts, Hula-Hoops and convertibles leading us into 2000.

Artist Adela Vystejnova Gardner of Woodridge said she hopes to have the piece completed by Nov. 30.

Once spring returns, a team of artists led by Diosdado “Dodie Mondero will begin the corporation's 39th piece directly across from the parade mural.

“If you're walking west with the mural, you're in the parade and if you're in the parade, you're looking at the crowd, Bobosky said. “So Dode will get his team in here and paint 130 feet of the opposite wall with people watching you in the parade.

The second mural will be painted in full color and the corporation intends to sell faces, allowing anyone to have their likeness portrayed in the crowd for a yet to be determined fee.

Bobosky said he thinks between 250 and 350 people will pay to be part of the mural.

“We believe there's value there because this is going to be permanent, he said, adding the corporation is looking for ways to add to its revenue stream. “People will walk by this every day and stop to study and look to find someone they know.