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Public Art Coming To 'Every Nook And Cranny' In Chicago, Mayor Says

 Mayor Rahm Emanuel (right) talks to students with Yollocalli Arts Reach on Thursday.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel (right) talks to students with Yollocalli Arts Reach on Thursday.
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DNAinfo/Erica Demarest

PILSEN — Each of Chicago's 50 wards will boast new public murals, sculptures or art installations by the end of the year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Thursday.

The $1 million undertaking is part of a citywide "Year of Public Art" initiative designed to highlight and create public works in "every nook and cranny of the city of Chicago," Emanuel said at a news conference inside the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.

"Cities that are culturally alive and vibrant," Emanuel said, "are cities that are succeeding."

RELATED: Chicago To Boost Spending On Public Art Throughout City, Mayor Says

The mayor's office Thursday unveiled a list of 34 projects across 35 wards. [Full list below] The remaining 15 wards are still finalizing details and should complete projects by the end of the year, according to a city spokeswoman.

Mark Kelly, commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, said the goal is "to get all the art in the city out of our central business district and into our neighborhoods. ... It's a way to bring culture into our neighborhoods."

Few specific details about each project were revealed Thursday.

Cheryl Pope, an artist who focuses on sculpture and installation, is slated to create a piece in the 48th Ward, which includes parts of Edgewater, Uptown and Andersonville.

She referenced a Muhammad Ali quote Thursday: "What you're thinking is what you're becoming."

"I think for the young people in the city," Pope said, "what you see is what you're becoming. This is such an opportunity for young people to look around the city of Chicago — both in their neighborhoods and when they go to other neighborhoods — to learn about themselves through the stories of the city.

"I'm really looking forward to this project ... for the people of the city to tell their stories of what Chicago is really about."

Announced collaborations include:

• John Adduci — Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd)

• Ruben Aguirre — Ald. Michelle Smith (43rd)

• Olusola Akintunde — Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd)

• Sandra Antongiorgi, Andy Bellomo and Sam Kirk (Team) — Ald. Tom Tunney (44th)

• Archi-treasures — Ald. Sophia King (4th), Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th)

• Jim Bachor — Ald. Michelle Harris (8th)

• Rahmaan “Statik” Barnes — Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), Ald. Howard Brookins (21st)

• Nicole Beck — Ald. Jason Ervin (28th)

• Steven Carrelli — Ald. Michelle Smith (43rd)

• Chicago Mosaic School — Ald. Derrick Curtis (18th)

• Dorrell Creightney Photography — Ald. Emma Mitts (37th)

• Erik Debat — Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd)

• Miguel Del Real — Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st)

• Mitchell Egly — Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st)

• Annette Elliot — Ald. Michelle Smith (43rd)

• El Paseo Community Garden with Eric J. Garcia, Katia Perez and Diana Solis — Ald. Daniel Solis (25th)

• Green Star Movement — Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), Ald. Patrick O'Connor (40th), Ald. Tom Tunney (44th)

• Industry of the Ordinary — Ald. Emma Mitts (37th)

• Bryant Jones — Ald. David Moore (17th), Ald. Milly Santiago (31st)

• Sam Kirk — Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th)

• BJ Krivanek — Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th)

• Davis McCarty — Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th), Ald. Joseph A. Moore (49th)

• Erica Mott — Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th)

• Port Ministries — Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), Ald. Willie Cochran (20th)

• Northwest Arts Connection — Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th)

• Erik Peterson — Ald. Harry Osterman (48th)

• Cheryl Pope — Ald. Harry Osterman (48th)

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago — Ald. Michael Scott (24th)

• SkyArt with Jeff Zimmerman — Ald. Susan Garza (10th)

• Allison Svoboda — Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th)

• Territory — Ald. Deb Mell (33rd)

• Amanda Williams — Ald. Walter Burnett (27th)

• Bernard Williams — Ald. John Arena (45th)

• Yollocalli Arts Reach — Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd)