Mile of Murals comes to CTA Red Line track in Rogers Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Artists are hard at work creating the latest installation of a mural project that stretches through the Rogers Park neighborhood. This portion led by a Chicago artist will convey the theme: "movement and stillness.

"We've been here for the last few days and the neighbors just love it," said Peter Hurley, a muralist. "They're just complimentary and very positive about it and love the color and liveliness that it brings to the neighborhood."

The ten year project goal is to paint a full mile of murals along the CTA Red Line track from Estes Avenue to Pratt Boulevard along the Glenwood Avenue train line. The project will result in 19 large-scale murals on ten block-long walls, seven viaduct walls and two overpasses.

Husband and wife team Dustin Harris and Lea Pinsky were among the original artists. They now manage the project.

"Rogers Park is really a growing arts community, arts neighborhood and one of the things that the commissioners were interested in was branding that and bringing that to life," Pinsky, of the Rogers Park Business Alliance, said.

Artists have come from across the country to contribute to the project.

"Doze Green, who was a Rock Steady breaker in the early 80s, did a fantastic mural; Mear One, who's from Los Angeles, did a fantastic mural," Harris, project manager of Mile of Murals, said.

Local artists and collaborations are trying to bring this project some worldwide notoriety.

Some sections of the wall depict people and places that are significant to the neighborhood's history and character. Other areas conjure themes including nature, patriotism and technology. With just a few blocks of empty space left, organizers may have a tough time deciding how best to cover the canvass.

"I always push for just good honest truthful art," Harris said.

The Mile of Murals public art initiative is sponsored by the Rogers Park Business Alliance and the Clark/Morse/Glenwood Special Service Area. For more information visit http://mileofmurals.com/home.html.