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If These Pothole Mosaics Don't Give You An Ice Cream Craving, Nothing Will

By  Heather Cherone and Ariel Cheung | May 22, 2015 7:25am 

JEFFERSON PARK — Most people breathed a sigh of relief when this winter wasn't quite as bad as last year, stonewalling the annual crop of potholes that inevitably bloom on Chicago's streets.

Not Jim Bachor.

"It has been a poor pothole season," said Bachor, a mosaic artist who lives on the border between Mayfair and Jefferson Park, whose favorite canvases are Chicago's potholes. "I spent hours looking for a good pothole in Lincoln Park, and couldn't find one."

Bachor's Kickstarter campaign in January raised $4,600 to fund the artist's third year of covering potholes with his colorful mosaics. This year, 10 potholes will be filled will depictions of ice cream and other summer treats as part of what Bachor is calling his "Treats in the Streets" series.

The idea is part of Bachor's push to take something regarded as ugly and transform it into a piece of fine art — while adding a dash of whimsy by depicting popsicles, soft-serve ice cream cones and ice cream sandwiches.

Bachor took his project to Finland earlier this month when he was commissioned by a gallery to complete several pieces as part of the end-of-winter festival in Jyväskylä.

"It is very crazy that it has gotten so big," Bachor said.

While in Finland, Bachor completed a three-piece series dedicated to the Finnish ideal of Tasa-arvo, which roughly translates to same-value, and encourages everyone to view others equally.

In addition to three ice cream mosaics in Finland, Bachor has completed four in Chicago, with three more to go.

Two of the calorie-free treats are in West Town, another in North Center and the last on the Near North Side.

Once he's done with the "Treats in the Streets" series, Bachor is ready with the idea for another series to be completed this spring and summer, thanks to his successful Kickstarter — which he initially hoped would raise just $300.

"It is going to be completely different," Bachor said. "I'm excited."

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