Orange Walls Mural - Day of Inspiration
In 2011, the Special Service Area #33 and the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce commissioned six visual artists to create exciting, colorful murals for the eclectic and artful streets of Wicker Park Bucktown. Visit them all in one day, find your muse, and steep your senses in the hidden treasures of our neighborhood.
1. Laura Berger
After gazing at the colorful and cheerful characters of Berger’s mural, grab a drool-worthy chicken wing treat at Wingstop or head up Milwaukee just a little bit further north for an authentic Costa Rican meal from Irazu. Share one of Irazu’s famous Oatmeal shakes with your date and discuss the importance of public art.
3. Brendan Hudson
1471 N. Milwaukee
Travel south on Milwaukee to visit “With patterns” by Chicago muralist and youth activist, Brendan Hudson. Hudson has created over eight public murals with local Chicago youth throughout Chicago.
4. Store B Vintage
1472 North Milwaukee Avenue
Capture all of the colorful patterns, symbols, portraits and landscapes in this remarkable mural and then stop by Store B Vintage to pick up a set of deco cocktail glasses for your new mini-bar or find a hot vintage fashion accessory for your next art opening!
5. Salud Tequila Lounge
1471 N Milwaukee Ave
Next, stop into Salud Tequila Lounge to try one of their many fine tequila drinks, like the exotic Elderflower Margarita or nosh on some savory shrimp tacos and other delicious Mexican fare.
6. Industry of the Ordinary
1440 N. Ashland
When your palate is fully pleased and you’re feeling a bit saucy, head over to 1440 N. Ashland Avenue to see the mural by performance artists, Adam Brooks and Mat Wilson aka Industry of the Ordinary, who “challenge the pejorative notions of the ordinary.”
7. Chad Kouri
1549 N. Bell
Ponder the definition of “ordinary” while walking down North Avenue to the mural, MAKE by collage artist, illustrator, and graphic designer Chad Kouri, just past the six corners off of North at 1549 N. Bell. Note the choice of color, line and shape in Chad’s visual dedication to the creative process.
8. The Handlebar
2311 W. North.
Explore your own creative urges while chasing down a drink or some fantastic vegetarian fare at The Handlebar, Chicago’s own cyclist friendly restaurant just west on North Avenue. Grab a meaty BBQ seitan sandwich, a healthful green meanie salad, or some deep fried pickles (now that’s inspiring!) along with an excellent bottle of brew or local cup of Metropolis coffee. Explore the plot line of your newly conceived novel, and rock out to indie/punk/rock/metal tunes and observing the flock of gorgeous neighborhood hipsters, artists and cyclists.
9. Rob Swainston
2001 W. Pierce
Head back towards the six corners and walk south on Damen to gaze at the mural by New York City’s own Rob Swainston at 2001 W. Pierce. Consider the generous difference a piece of art can make on the façade of a nursery and bask in the sound of children as you observe the intriguing lines and marks that pattern this patriotic mural on the side of North Avenue Day Nursery.
10. Bernard Williams
2001 W. Division
Continue down Damen Avenue to Division, where you will be met by a crisp black, white & grey mural by professional studio artist Bernard Williams. Consider the symbolism, shape and absence of color. What questions arise? Is the world as black and white as we sometimes perceive it? Use this thought to accompany you while you walk north on Damen Avenue towards Wicker Park.
11. Wicker Park
1425 N. Damen
Is the world as black and white as we sometimes perceive it? Use this thought to accompany you while you walk north on Damen Avenue towards Wicker Park. When you reach the park – relax! Quietly observe the shapes of the flowers in the gardens, circle the fountain and consider it’s sculptural form, and pass the avid chess players and picnickers who perform everyday actions gracefully. Sit on a bench and watch the locals pass by or lay in the grass to observe cloud patterns and tree limbs sway in the breeze. Has the art & culture of the Wicker Park Bucktown neighborhood inspired your daydreams? Are the colors of the city streets emerging in all of their glory?
12. Blue Line Lounge & Grill
1548 North Damen Avenue
After a short snooze in the park, let your curiosity lead you to the creative fare of the classic 1950’s style Blue Line Lounge and Grill just north on Damen where you can refuel on Peanut Butter & Jelly Martinis, Elk Minnies and Coca Cola Towers!
That’s all she wrote! From here, you can carry your full tummy and nourished creative spirit back onto the train. Hold onto your ironic 80's glasses and begin your next sketchbook masterpiece while you shuttle back from where you came.
1. Laura Berger
2045 W. Concord
Beginning on the north side of Wicker Park Bucktown, just north of the Damen Blue Line ‘el’ stop, visit the playful mural by artist and illustrator Laura Berger at 2045 W. Concord, just off of Milwaukee Avenue. Laura’s work has been exhibited around the US and Canada and can be found at indie craft markets, like Renegade and Etsy.
2A. Wingstop
1637 N. Milwaukee
Beginning on the north side of Wicker Park Bucktown, just north of the Damen Blue Line ‘el’ stop, visit the playful mural by artist and illustrator Laura Berger at 2045 W. Concord, just off of Milwaukee Avenue. Laura’s work has been exhibited around the US and Canada and can be found at indie craft markets, like Renegade and Etsy.
2A. Wingstop
1637 N. Milwaukee
2B. Irazu
1865 N. Milwaukee
After gazing at the colorful and cheerful characters of Berger’s mural, grab a drool-worthy chicken wing treat at Wingstop or head up Milwaukee just a little bit further north for an authentic Costa Rican meal from Irazu. Share one of Irazu’s famous Oatmeal shakes with your date and discuss the importance of public art.
3. Brendan Hudson
1471 N. Milwaukee
Travel south on Milwaukee to visit “With patterns” by Chicago muralist and youth activist, Brendan Hudson. Hudson has created over eight public murals with local Chicago youth throughout Chicago.
4. Store B Vintage
1472 North Milwaukee Avenue
Capture all of the colorful patterns, symbols, portraits and landscapes in this remarkable mural and then stop by Store B Vintage to pick up a set of deco cocktail glasses for your new mini-bar or find a hot vintage fashion accessory for your next art opening!
5. Salud Tequila Lounge
1471 N Milwaukee Ave
Next, stop into Salud Tequila Lounge to try one of their many fine tequila drinks, like the exotic Elderflower Margarita or nosh on some savory shrimp tacos and other delicious Mexican fare.
6. Industry of the Ordinary
1440 N. Ashland
When your palate is fully pleased and you’re feeling a bit saucy, head over to 1440 N. Ashland Avenue to see the mural by performance artists, Adam Brooks and Mat Wilson aka Industry of the Ordinary, who “challenge the pejorative notions of the ordinary.”
7. Chad Kouri
1549 N. Bell
Ponder the definition of “ordinary” while walking down North Avenue to the mural, MAKE by collage artist, illustrator, and graphic designer Chad Kouri, just past the six corners off of North at 1549 N. Bell. Note the choice of color, line and shape in Chad’s visual dedication to the creative process.
8. The Handlebar
2311 W. North.
Explore your own creative urges while chasing down a drink or some fantastic vegetarian fare at The Handlebar, Chicago’s own cyclist friendly restaurant just west on North Avenue. Grab a meaty BBQ seitan sandwich, a healthful green meanie salad, or some deep fried pickles (now that’s inspiring!) along with an excellent bottle of brew or local cup of Metropolis coffee. Explore the plot line of your newly conceived novel, and rock out to indie/punk/rock/metal tunes and observing the flock of gorgeous neighborhood hipsters, artists and cyclists.
9. Rob Swainston
2001 W. Pierce
Head back towards the six corners and walk south on Damen to gaze at the mural by New York City’s own Rob Swainston at 2001 W. Pierce. Consider the generous difference a piece of art can make on the façade of a nursery and bask in the sound of children as you observe the intriguing lines and marks that pattern this patriotic mural on the side of North Avenue Day Nursery.
10. Bernard Williams
2001 W. Division
Continue down Damen Avenue to Division, where you will be met by a crisp black, white & grey mural by professional studio artist Bernard Williams. Consider the symbolism, shape and absence of color. What questions arise? Is the world as black and white as we sometimes perceive it? Use this thought to accompany you while you walk north on Damen Avenue towards Wicker Park.
11. Wicker Park
1425 N. Damen
Is the world as black and white as we sometimes perceive it? Use this thought to accompany you while you walk north on Damen Avenue towards Wicker Park. When you reach the park – relax! Quietly observe the shapes of the flowers in the gardens, circle the fountain and consider it’s sculptural form, and pass the avid chess players and picnickers who perform everyday actions gracefully. Sit on a bench and watch the locals pass by or lay in the grass to observe cloud patterns and tree limbs sway in the breeze. Has the art & culture of the Wicker Park Bucktown neighborhood inspired your daydreams? Are the colors of the city streets emerging in all of their glory?
12. Blue Line Lounge & Grill
1548 North Damen Avenue
After a short snooze in the park, let your curiosity lead you to the creative fare of the classic 1950’s style Blue Line Lounge and Grill just north on Damen where you can refuel on Peanut Butter & Jelly Martinis, Elk Minnies and Coca Cola Towers!
That’s all she wrote! From here, you can carry your full tummy and nourished creative spirit back onto the train. Hold onto your ironic 80's glasses and begin your next sketchbook masterpiece while you shuttle back from where you came.
Thanks for visiting!
Copyright 2012. Written by Clover Morell of The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.
Copyright 2012. Written by Clover Morell of The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.
We Got it in WPB
Stay in touch
Wicker Park Bucktown
Chamber of Commerce
1414 North Ashland
Chicago, Illinois 60622
P (773) 384 2672
F (773) 384 7525
info@wickerparkbucktown.com