MCKINLEY PARK — When families gather for the Hoyne Park block party on Saturday, the event is sure to build on the positive momentum started by neighbors in the former gang stronghold.
The event, filled with kids games, bingo, raffles and food, takes place 4-8 p.m. Saturday in the 3400 block of South Hamilton Avenue.
Facing the big party will be the vivid and unmistakable site of a partially finished community mural, which overlooks parts of the newly renovated Southwest Side playground and ballpark.
With about a third of the project complete, the park advisory council is hoping to raise money for supplies to finish it. Already, the mural has been helped along by local volunteers, ranging from Ald. George Cardenas (12th) to employees of a new local logistics company.
But for lead artist Art Olson, the completion of the project comes with a unique set of challenges, in addition to securing the money for supplies.
Namely, he's wrestling with how to maintain a singular vision for the mural — which aims to pays tribute to Latino culture, labor history, the nearby park and more — all while overseeing contributions from all sorts of artists, from local kids to Pilsen's mural maestro Jose Guerrero.
Anyone wishing to donate to the mural project can bring a check to the party, payable to the Hoyne Park Advisory Council, or bring food to sell or items to raffle off. There will also be a silent auction filled with local art and handmade crafts.
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