Castellanos Elementary

 

Location: 2524 Central Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623
Year(s): 2018 Partners: After School Matters Participants: 9th-12th Grade
Description: This mural, located in Little Village pays tribute to Rosario Castellanos (whom the school was originally named after). Rosario is an influential historical figure from Mexico. She was a famous poet and author in the early 1900’s, known for writing about feminism and cultural oppression. The installation contains a famous quote from Rosario which reads “We have to laugh. Because laughter, we already know is the first evidence of freedom.”

Peace Panda Project

Location: Multiple
Year(s): 2017
Partner(s): iGrow, Earthheart Foundation, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Peace Warriors of North Lawndale College Prep
Description: In 2016, Green Star Movement conceived of the Peace Panda Project, which would highlight the ways individuals and communities across Chicago promote tolerance, inclusivity, and non-violence, and then those efforts would be memorialized with permanent mini murals that installed in highly-visible areas in the city.

At the end of 2016, we fundraised for the Peace Panda Project and our generous supporters helped us surpass our goal. 

Over the course of 2017, we solicited ideas from people and groups to develop themes for 8 Peace Pandas that were designed, created and then installed* in neighborhoods across the city.

Almost all 8 pandas now have homes around Chicago and represent the ideals of family, cooperation, sanctuary, contemplation, perseverance, hope, community, and compassion.

*Due to weather constraints, we will be installing the final two pandas in the spring of 2018.