'Naperville Together' mural to be painted in downtown parking lot
A parking lot in the heart of downtown Naperville is being transformed into a piece of public art meant to unify the community with its universal message: "Naperville Together."
Each of the 18 letters has been assigned to a local artist, who is working with a team to paint a unique design within the 7-by-5-foot outline on the asphalt, project leader Sangeeta Pande said. The letter "N" will be filled with handprints from local community members.
The goal is to create a highly visible street mural that promotes a positive message of hope, change and inclusion, she said.
"Naperville as a city has a push toward togetherness, and the city council is all about togetherness, so we just aligned (the mural) to flow with that sentiment," said Pande, a 30-year Naperville resident. "Our work should speak to who we are wand what we stand for."
Carefully spaced out to fit within the Naperville Township parking lot at 139 Water St., the painting is the first piece of artwork developed by the recently formed Art of Inclusion committee.
The organization stems from an effort this summer by Downers Grove resident Tyler Marcus to diversify the city's "Naperville Loves a Parade" mural. An online petition seeking to improve what he referred to as the "Wall of Exclusion in Downtown Naperville" received more than 47,000 signatures and has since evolved into a community collaboration aimed at creating art that reflects the city's diversity.
Though Art of Inclusion is still in its infancy, the group's first short-term piece came together within just a few months, Pande said. Committee members said the concept, proposed by Naperville Central High School sophomore Mia Hernandez, has received support from Century Walk Corp. and Naperville Township Supervisor Eddie Bedford.
Pande and organization member Julie Kulak, who also is helping to spearhead the project, spent an entire day spacing out and marking the letters in preparation for a live painting event Saturday. Many artists have already done some preliminary work on their letters, with the full mural expected to come together this weekend.
With social distancing and COVID-19 regulations top of mind, the painting will be completed in waves starting at 8:30 a.m., project leaders said. Community members interested in leaving their handprints on the letter "N" are encouraged to arrive between 9 and 11 a.m. Masks must be worn, and gloves will be provided.
A ceremony is expected to be held at 1 p.m. to acknowledge sponsors and community leaders for their support. Artists will then continue painting until about 4 p.m.
The organization plans to publish excerpts on its website explaining the inspiration behind each letter's design, Pande said.
Artists are using an antiskid paint that is suitable for street art, she said. The mural's anticipated life span is one to three years.
Passersby have offered thoughtful and encouraging feedback on the painting's progress so far at the township parking lot, located along the Naperville Riverwalk near city hall and the Water Street development, Pande said.
Art of Inclusion is already brainstorming ideas and locations for its next projects, both long- and short-term, she said. "This is just the start of it."