BRONZEVILLE — The artist behind a mural of Nat King Cole in Bronzeville is trying to raise money to fix several large tears.
Chris Devins has installed several large murals of neighborhoods’ famous residents and he’s trying to fix the first one of Nat King Cole at 4305 S. King Drive before he installs a new one of Michelle Obama in South Shore.
“It has maybe three chips in it from being so close to the road — I guess maybe some rocks hit it,” Devins said.
He’s trying to raise $1,950 to fix the mural on GoFundMe.
Devins said the mural has been damaged from nearby traffic. [Courtesy of Chris Devins]
Devins has done more than 10 other murals of famous residents from Chatham, Hyde Park and Bronzeville since installing the first one, the Cole mural, in July 2014.
The next will be one of Michelle Obama on a building at 7400 S. Chappel Ave.
Devins said he will begin installation sometime in the coming weeks when the weather gets warmer.
He said the mural was originally planned for Bouchet Math and Science Academy, the elementary school Michelle Obama attended. He said there were worries about moisture with the mural going on the school, so it has been moved across the street so students can see it from the school.
Devins said his next project will be a mural of Pullman porters and train cars on five large panels for a shopping center planned for 111th Street and Doty Avenue.
A Michelle Obama mural for South Shore will now go on a building at 7400 S. Chappel Ave. instead of on Bouchet Math and Science Academy. [Courtesy of Chris Devins]
