Murals for Medical Relief honor Chicago healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 pandemic
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Throughout May, a series of murals will be painted by local Chicago artists who are dedicating their time and talents to create uplifting murals inspired by, and with gratitude for our healthcare workers.
Each mural aims to spread hope and inspiration in the community.
A few Chicago artist have joined ABC 7 to talk about how they got involved with the project.
Small businesses in the Illinois Medical District neighborhood are donating their walls, artists are volunteering their time in collaboration with VINCO and Muros.
Muros is a Chicago-based global art activation agency who is donating all painting supplies. They are also collaborating with media production company VINCO on the project, combining the public art and a digital campaign to fundraiser $50,000 for neighborhood hospitals such as Cook County Health, Northwestern Memorial and Rush University Medical Center.
Janson Rapisarda is just one of the artist behind the beautiful work of art found near the Illinois Medical District.
Rapisarda said he wanted to make sure he was highlighting our health care worker heroes in a time of fighting COVID-19.
He describes his mural as a health care hero on her way to work, repsresenting how they are a part of our community. They shop at the same stores, take the same transit -whether walking, biking, or other modes. He emphasizes the human side of these heroes before they "put their capes on."
Joseph Renda Jr. is another, who talks about what inspired him for his mural. He artwork named "Growth For A Better Day" represents strength, passion and gratitude.
Fellow artist, Natalie Shugailo, says she is a warrior influenced greatly by street art, as well as fine art masters. She blends the two genres together, paying homage to each of them in her own way.
Her creations have also been described as National Geographic meets Disney, a description she is glad to embrace, she says.
She uses her fine art background and skill set to create her own set of characters, combining different animal and human anatomies together into new creatures she has named beasties. These beasties are nomadic and ancient beings who navigate cities, mountains, and plains sharing wisdom and spreading beauty.
Shugailo likes bright colors to draw the viewer in, and says line work creates a natural ebb and flow to the images.
She says the meaning can most always be found in the work; however the true intention remains with the artist, and she looks to her audience to find something for themselves in her paintings and drawings.
Throughout May, a series of murals will be painted by local Chicago artists who are dedicating their time and talents to create uplifting murals inspired by, and with gratitude for, our healthcare workers.
Each mural aims to encourage others to give back.
For more information visit muralsformedicalrelief.com. All funds raised will go to local Chicago hospitals' COVID-19 Relief Funds, such as Cook County Health, Northwestern Memorial and Rush University Medical Center.
