A new artistic chapter may be starting in Chicago Heights with the unveiling of a colorful mural on a building that was once near the heart of the city.
The four-panel mural on the Renaissance Building on Otto Boulevard across from the Union Street Gallery was painted by artist Javier Chavira. It begins with a tribute to “Still I Rise,” a poem by Maya Angelou, featuring a painting of a bird readying for flight.
“I wanted to create an image that would represent the phoenix rising from the ashes,” Chavira said during the mural reveal last week. “I love the elegance, beauty and swiftness of the barn swallow. I wanted to present movement, creating this ripple effect of the movement of life.”
Chavira is a practicing artist who has been a professor of painting and drawing at Governors State University for more than 22 years and is the director of the Christopher Gallery at Prairie State College, in addition to other artistic roles.
“Together, the mural reflects my belief that art can offer a sense of hope and possibility,” he said. “I wanted the work to contribute to the renewal of Chicago Heights.”
The mural was completed in the spring, though wasn’t formally introduced to the community until the Aug. 22 unveiling. It was commissioned by the city of Chicago Heights and Union Street Gallery and painted on the boarded-up windows of the Renaissance Building, which is across the street from the gallery at 1527 Otto Blvd.
The Renaissance Building was the longtime home of the Chicago Heights Star newspaper, and later the headquarters of Star Newspapers after the newspaper chain expanded. After the news operation departed to share a building with the Daily Southtown in Tinley Park, the building was deeded to the city, which operated social services activities there for a short time. But it’s been mostly vacant in the years since.
Union Street Gallery, which is brimming with artistic life inside and also housed in an historic building, the city’s former Elk’s Club, is tucked a block in from Lincoln Highway and Halsted Street. But the mural, with its bright acrylic paint and color, is clearly visible from the city’s former downtown area.
The other three art panels are “Creation,” which represents an eclipse and the sky and earth; “Moonlight,” inspired in part by Scottish artist and designer Charles Rennie MacKintosh’s work; and “Celestial.” All four panels use circular forms as an architectural framework.
“Otto Boulevard has always been near to my heart,” said Mayor David Gonzalez, before Chavira was introduced. “We just felt we could bring it back to life.”
Javier Chavira, an art professor at Governors State University and director of Christopher Gallery at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, discusses his mural on Otto Boulevard during an Aug. 22 unveiling in Chicago Heights. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)
The city has recently put some work into the area, repaving streets, fixing sidewalks and adding decorative lights.
“It brings art, character and a new sense of pride to this area and street,” said Gonzalez. “We want it throughout the city. This is a starting point.”
Carmen Sendejas, a Union Street Gallery board member and Gonzalez’s wife, said Chavira’s proposal “spoke to her” when it was under consideration by the board.
“I felt a message, a connection,” said Sendejas. “They’re beautiful,” she said of the four paintings.
Julian Graham, gallery director, said he watched Chavira do the painting and discussed it with him as the work went along.
“I’ve been able to witness that thought process,” he said. “Javier has a pretty wide reach. Everyone knows and loves his work.”
Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez speaks about revitalization efforts along Otto Boulevard during the Aug. 22 unveiling of a large new mural across the street from Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)
Danielle Leveston, board president, said in a written statement the mural “represents creativity, connection and the important role that art continues to play in our community.”
Mary Kay Witlock, who has a studio of her pastel paintings at the gallery and has been an artist there for 30 years, said she’s seen neighbors sitting outside their homes viewing the mural.
“I love it,” said Witlock. “I love the combination of realism and abstraction, the lighting, the color. It’s very uplifting.”
Chavira’s other experience on a mural was right after he graduated from high school in 1991 and his friend told him about artist Alejandro Romero painting a mural inside Joliet’s Union Station. They visited, and Romero let Chavira paint some of the mural. He felt so comfortable participating that he decided he’d like to pursue art.
“I always wanted to get back into it,” Chavira said about painting a mural again.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.