NAVY PIER — Navy Pier has unveiled "Pier People," its new 100-foot-long mural devoted to those who visit and work at the state's largest tourist attraction.
Primarily painted by Pete Nawara of Logan Square and his friend Michael Pasier, the mural depicts about 40 "pier people" congregating along a wall near Navy Pier's new food court. Wednesday's unveiling preceded Sunday's opening of the pier's annual "Neighborhoods of the World" series.
Nawara, who said he was "honored" to do the job, said the painting took about four months to finish.
"Opportunities like this don't come around for an artist every day," he said. "Even if you're a prominent artist, the number of people you're reaching is limited. It's nice to have an audience that wasn't expecting to see art when they go to Navy Pier. It's a privilege."
Related: Artist's 'Pier People' Mural a 100-Foot-Long Tourist Tribute
The new mural (and food court) are the latest in a series of changes at Navy Pier as the tourist attraction approaches its 100th anniversary on the lake. The pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., is also building a new Ferris wheel in celebration of its centennial. Navy Pier says it welcomes nine million visitors annually.
Marilynn Gardner, Navy Pier's chief executive, said Wednesday the mural will become a "focal point" of the pier's cultural offerings that "commemorates the spirits of neighborhoods of the world and their rich characters."
The event was replete with "Neighborhoods of the World" performers, some of whom are painted onto the mural. The series will run every week in the pier's Crystal Gardens, starting with a "Chinese Celebration" on Sunday. Check out the slideshow above or scroll the photos below for more:
[all photos by DNAinfo/David Matthews]
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