Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Englewood Viaduct To Be Used For Peace Mural

By Wendell Hutson | September 8, 2014 6:50am
 A viaduct in Englewood is where a peace mural is set to be painted.
A viaduct in Englewood is where a peace mural is set to be painted.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Wendell Hutson

ENGLEWOOD — Two nonprofits are preparing to paint a peace mural in Englewood and would like the community to join them.

The EarthHeart Foundation and the Green Star Movement will begin putting the mural together 10 a.m. Wednesday underneath a viaduct at 63rd and Wallace streets.

Community residents, especially young people, are encouraged to volunteer from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays for the next month while the mural is put together, said Deirdre Koldyke, president and founder of EarthHeart.

“Over time it became clear that while we face lots of issues as women, the safety of our children was an overriding concern," Koldyke said. “We’ve done marches, meetings — the mural will give everyone in the community a chance to participate and will be a permanent reminder of the possibility and importance of peace.”

A group of women living in Englewood and Woodlawn have already agreed to volunteer, Koldyke said, "but more volunteers are needed. We want this to be a family effort and students can earn community service hours volunteering."

She estimated that the mural will cost $24,000 to complete, and nearly $10,000 has been raised through an online Kickstarter campaign, which ends Sept. 15.

A Metra train line runs above the viaduct.

"Metra did approve the mural project and we are supportive of this project for the community," Carolyn Tucker, a Metra spokeswoman.

The viaduct also has some history attached to it. Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), whose ward includes the mural site, said back when blacks were migrating from the south to Chicago "this stop served as their entry into Chicago. This mural will help restore peace in Englewood and help make it a dynamic place."

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: