Art is alive and well in the Avondale community!

26 Sep Art is alive and well in the Avondale community!

Saturday, October 1
5th Annual A Day in Avondale
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
along Milwaukee Avenue between Kimball & Central Park at Diversey.

One of the cool aspects of this festival is the opportunity to watch professional artists Keith Pollok, Juan Carlos Frias, Brandon Pozos, and Steinmetz High School student Jesus Garcia transform the exterior wall of the currency exchange at 2814 N Milwaukee Avenue. What had formerly been just an empty lot has become a public gathering spot and a fun place for music performances, art exhibits, outdoor poetry readings. All across the world, the country, our city, and this Avondale neighborhood, public art is making what might otherwise be dreary scenes fun bursts of color and images. Empty walls are turning into big public canvases that infuse the streets … the people … the community with fresh vigor and energy.

[ctt template=”12″ link=”fyaar” via=”no” ]Public art is making what might otherwise be dreary scenes fun bursts of color and images. #adayinavondale #milwaukeeavemural[/ctt]

Keith Pollok who is also an After School Matters art teacher at Steinmetz High School said “Our theme for this mural will be wildlife. We are using a collage of botanical and landscape sketches with a chameleon bringing them all together. The overall message of the mural is ‘becoming part of your environment’. The mural will provide a new aesthetic to the neighborhood allowing viewers to create their own interpretation of the imagery.

Murals build a sense of community, making streets more walkable and friendly, bringing people out of their homes to enjoy the sights. The mural artists will be busy working on that mural Saturday, October 1, from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Visit them, cheer them on, bring them water, thank them for helping make our streets more attractive. Oh – you might also thank Siobhan & Brendan McKinney, owners of Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant, 3471 N. Elston the next time you visit because they are the gracious sponsors of this wonderful mural project.

[ctt template=”12″ link=”Nf3rp” via=”yes” ]Murals build a sense of community, making streets more walkable & friendly, bringing people out of their homes to enjoy the sights.[/ctt]

The 5th Annual A Day in Avondale will be taking place October 1, 2016. Shakespeare All-Stars are just 1 of many attractions scheduled for this 1-day event. Who else can you expect this year? Stay tuned and check the Facebook page for more exciting details! Look forward to events by Elastic Arts, Voice of the City, Tacos Tequilas, Corner, Moe’s Tavern, Monarch Thrift Shop, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Hairpin Arts Center and more!