Lakeview to Pass Out Flowers to Moms in Celebration of Mural’s Completion
Bright, beautiful chrysanthemums, roses and echinacea are in full
bloom along the Southport Corridor thanks to a brand new, 2,000
square foot mural by Detroit-based artist Louise Jones, also known as
Ouizi.
Her mural
kicks-off
a series of approximately 15 new public art installations from various
artists that will adorn the neighborhood in 2019 as part of the Lakeview
Public
Art Program, an effort led by Lakeview Special Service Area 27 and its
non-profit partner Friends of Lakeview.
Ouizi’s
creation incorporates bold and colorful flowers found throughout the
Midwest in her design and features Chicago’s official city flower,
chrysanthemums.
It was inspired by the City of Chicago’s official motto, “Urbs in
Horto,” which means “City in a Garden.”
In
the Lakeview mural, Ouizi draws inspiration from the Japanese art
movement ukiyo-e and traditional Chinese painting style “guóhuà” to
illustrate a floral history of Chicago.
Her delicate and sweeping floral murals are blooming across the world from China to North Carolina and New York to Detroit.
Ouizi’s mural is sponsored by
SSA
27 and Southport Neighbors Association and will be officially dedicated
on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2019. As part of the dedication, SSA 27 will
pass out flowers to mothers
who visit the mural beginning at 10:30 AM.
“The
response to Ouizi’s mural has been amazing. From children to adults,
her artwork has already begun to stir our community’s creative feelings,
which is one of
the goals of the Lakeview Public Art Program,” said Dillon Goodson,
Community Development Director at the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. “We
are making an unprecedented commitment to bring public art to every
corner of our community and we can’t wait for more
people to experience the artwork firsthand as we welcome the start of
spring in West Lakeview.”
“We
are incredibly excited to see Ouizi’s ‘Urbs in Horto’ spring to life on
the Southport Corridor,” said David Genc, president of the Southport
Neighbors Association. “Neighborhood residents played an important role
in selecting Ouizi for this project, and we think her vibrant, colorful
design will be a special showpiece on the Corridor. We thank the
Lakeview Special Service Area (SSA) 27 for partnering
with us on this beautification project.”
WHAT Dedication “Urbs in Horto”, by Louise “Ouizi” Jones
WHEN: May 12th, 2019 11:00 AM
Flowers distributed to Mom’s in honor of Mother’s Day, beginning at 10:30 AM
WHERE: 3637 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
WHO: Louise “Ouizi” Jones, artist; representatives from Lakeview Special Service Area 27 and Southport Neighbors
Association
The
inspiration for a mural at 3637 N. Southport Ave. is rooted in the 2011
Lakeview Area Master Plan, which prioritized the need for “more regular
and
district-wide public art.” As part of the Lakeview Public Art Program,
SSA 27 and Friends of Lakeview will sponsor approximately 15 new murals
throughout the neighborhood, with artists to be announced soon. For more
information, visit
www.lakeviewchamber.com/art.
About Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, SSA 27 and Friends of Lakeview:
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization whose mission is to support a resilient local economy and high quality of life for the benefit of businesses and residents in Chicago's West Lakeview community, through neighborhood promotion, business development, advocacy, and public space enhancements. Its service area is from Diversey Pkwy. on the south to Irving Park Rd. on the north, and from Ravenswood Ave. on the west to Racine Ave. on the east. The Chamber works in partnership with Special Service Area (SSA) 27 and the 501(c)(3) Friends of Lakeview, all sharing a common mission. Together, these three partners leverage private funding, government resources and programs, and support from more than 250 Chamber members to help their local community thrive.
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization whose mission is to support a resilient local economy and high quality of life for the benefit of businesses and residents in Chicago's West Lakeview community, through neighborhood promotion, business development, advocacy, and public space enhancements. Its service area is from Diversey Pkwy. on the south to Irving Park Rd. on the north, and from Ravenswood Ave. on the west to Racine Ave. on the east. The Chamber works in partnership with Special Service Area (SSA) 27 and the 501(c)(3) Friends of Lakeview, all sharing a common mission. Together, these three partners leverage private funding, government resources and programs, and support from more than 250 Chamber members to help their local community thrive.
About Southport Neighbors Association:
Southport Neighbors Association (SNA) is a not-for-profit organization serving the Southport Neighborhood from Addison Street north to Irving Park Road and Clark Street west to Ashland Avenue. The Association encourages compatible residential and business development; initiates and supports beautification projects; and provides the residents with neighborhood forums on timely issues and neighborhood concerns including but not limited to quality of life issues and historic preservation. For more information, visit www.southportneighbors.com.
Southport Neighbors Association (SNA) is a not-for-profit organization serving the Southport Neighborhood from Addison Street north to Irving Park Road and Clark Street west to Ashland Avenue. The Association encourages compatible residential and business development; initiates and supports beautification projects; and provides the residents with neighborhood forums on timely issues and neighborhood concerns including but not limited to quality of life issues and historic preservation. For more information, visit www.southportneighbors.com.
