ROGERS PARK — As many as 750 volunteers — students, teachers and community members — are expected to descend on Sullivan High and Kilmer Elementary schools to paint dozens of murals Monday in the spirit of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
City Year, a partner of AmeriCorps, plans to hold its annual MLK Day event at the schools.
"A lot of the murals are really going to reflect the ideas of Dr. King's dream of the beloved community," said Johnny Barr, an organizer and Rogers Park resident, adding that the murals would depict civil rights leaders and include inspirational quotes.
Barr said he expects students from other schools and groups from the corporate world to turn out at the event, which is at capacity. But Barr encouraged community members to show up at the event Monday morning in case there's extra room.
"The majority [of volunteers] are people who are just interested in the broader community," he said.
Barr also expects to complete a total of 45 mural projects within both schools.
Strong artistic abilities are not necessary, Barr said, as most of the murals would be outlined in pencil first and volunteers will only need to paint within the lines.
The goal is to "beautify the school and give the students a more positive and interesting place to attend."
Last year's MLK Day event was held at Humboldt Park's Lafayette Elementary School, which was one of 50 schools closed at the end of the last school year.
The MLK Day event is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday at Sullivan, 6631 N. Bosworth Ave., and Kilmer, 6700 N. Greenview Ave. An opening ceremony is planned for 9:30 a.m.
