About the Bloomingdale Mural Project

Open-Air Exhibition of Fine Art in viaducts along Bloomingdale Avenue in West Bucktown

WHAT: The Bloomingdale Mural Project is a volunteer-based public art project focused on the viaducts along Bloomingdale Avenue between Western and California in Chicago's West Bucktown neighborhood. As a community based organization in an artist-centric area, BMP has complementary objectives: to enhance the aesthetics of the neighborhood through creation of a public art gallery, and provide local artists the opportunity to create large-scale outdoor murals.

WHEN: The Bloomingdale Mural Project was born into the West Bucktown Neighborhood Association in the summer of 2004, upon Ward 1 Alderman Manny Flores' approval to paint sections of the railroad embankment that bisects the neighborhood. In 2004, 5 murals began at Maplewood, then 2 at Rockwell the following year, followed by 11 new murals in the summer of 2007, at Western, Campbell, Maplewood, Talman, Washtenaw and Fairfield Avenues. To view images and artist information, click the viaducts on the Interactive Map, or visit the Project Gallery. Proposals are being accepted now via our online submission system for viaducts to be painted next season. Stay tuned for other opportunities as they arise.

WHO: The Bloomingdale Mural Project is administered by a small committee of artists and neighbors: Reza Khazeni and Chip Jones, Co-Founders, Kim Frieders, Curator, Lucas Myers, Operations and Alicja Slabecka, Creative Member. Artists submit their design proposals to the committee, and are chosen based on project guidelines and aesthetic appeal for the designated walls. Participants are Chicago artists ranging in career-level from collegiate to established.

HOW: The project could never have begun and could not continue without generous donations of money and supplies from our sponsors. To become involved by volunteering your time, talent or resources to this project, please contact us.