Park School by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: 828 Main St, Evanston IL 60202
Year(s): 2016
Participants: 60 [4th-8th grade students]
Description: Green Star Movement worked with the students and staff of Park School, a self-contained special education school in Evanston, to create a mural that not only beautifies the school but also celebrates the memory of Lisa Weiland O'Brien, a well-loved social worked from the District who tragically passed away in 2013. 

Green Star artists worked with Park teachers and the mural committee, comprised of staff, parents, district administrators, and a member of Lisa's family to conceive the design. It was decided that the theme for the mural would be based on Lisa's favorite quote from a story titled, "The Crayon Box that Talked," and will read. "We are like a box of crayons, each one of us unique. But when we come together, the picture is complete!" 

Kiddie Center by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: West Englewood - 1700 W 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60636
Year(s): 2016
Description: The building of Kiddie Steps 4 You Learning Center in Englewood, which provides childcare starting at 6 weeks, is now emblazoned with energizing images and inspirational messages for the students and community members in the surrounding neighborhood.

Swift Elementary by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: Edgewater Beach - 5900 N Winthrop, Chicago IL 60660
Year(s): 2016
Participants: 30 [teens]
Partner(s): After School Matters
Description: GSM completed two projects at this school. The first faces the school's outdoor performance space on the east side of the building and blends Chicago imagery with representations of fine arts disciplines. The second mural, which is on the north side of the building and faces the school's playground, includes a shining sun, flowers, and silhouettes of children playing.

Barton Elementary by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: Auburn Gresham-7650 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60620
Year(s): 2017
Participants: 20 [4th-8th grade students]
Description: Formerly a drab corner of the Barton Elementary building, this space gained new life with the addition of a mural that fuses educational symbols such as an atom and microscope with bright colors and linear embellishments.

Joplin Elementary by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: Auburn Gresham - 7927 S Honore, Chicago, IL 60620
Year(s): 2015-2017
Participants: 280 [4th-8th grade students]
Description: In 2015 Green Star Movement worked with 4th-8th grade students to create a mural which fuses representations of African culture with the phrase "what we do most is what we do best. Get an education." In 2017, in honor of Joplin Elementary's academic diversity, we returned to create another mural that pays tribute to the school's science, technology, and fine arts programs.

Dvorak Elementary by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: Lawndale - 3615 W 16th St, Chicago IL 60623
Year(s): 2015
Participants: 80 [4th-8th graders]
Partner(s): Crown Foundation, Academy for Urban School Leadership
Description: Wrapping around the front and side of the school, the mural incorporates a three-dimensional butterfly and caterpillar in its message about hard work and transformation.

Ortiz Elementary by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: Little Village - 3000 S Lawndale, Chicago IL 60623
Year(s): 2015-2017
Participants: 52 [4th-12th graders]
Partner(s): Beyond the Ball, After School Matters
Description:  Our team completed two murals for Ortiz Elementary in Little Village.  In 2015, we finished our first project with 9th-12th grade students. The mural faces the soccer field and is a colorful tribute to diversity, unity, teamwork, community, perseverance, and responsibility.  The second mosaic mural, completed in 2017 with 4th-8th grade students, warmly welcomes all who step on campus with the word "Bienvenidos!" located above the building's main entrance. 

 

 

Silver Summit All Abilities Playground by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: 5814 Prospect Dr, Missoula MT 59808
Year(s): 2015
Participants: 7 [all ages]
Description: GSM design this inclusive park's sensory play wall, which not only beautifies the park with images of local birds, flowers, and the Clark Fork River, but also provides color and texture for children who like tactile play.

The Peace Corner Youth Center by TechTeam

Location: South Austin - 5022 W Madison, Chicago, IL
Year(s): 2011
Participants: 15 [9th-12th grade students]
Partner(s): After School Matters
Description: Located inside the youth center, this three-dimensional geometric installation is covered entirely with cut mirror.

Ordinarily, mirrors reflect only light, but these, shaped and placed by young hands of hope, reflect life. Some mirrors are bigger, others are small; some are flat others have depth, but all have come together as beauty. Day by day, this mural represents how each of us has something to contribute and reflect something positive to the world.
— Duane Wilson, Director at the Peace Corner
 

The Chicago Academy by Erica Hawkinson

Location: Portage Park - 3400 N Austin, Chicago IL 60634
Year(s): 2015
Participants: 20 [4th-8th graders]
Partner(s): Family Focus, Academy for Urban School Leadership
Description: Installed in the foyer of the school's main entrance, this mural blends the school's mascot, a dolphin, with the inspiring words such as think, hope, and achieve.

 

Trabajares - Brazil by Erica Hawkinson

 

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Year(s): 2015
Participants: 15 [all ages]
Partner(s): MacArthur Foundation, US Consulate in Brazil
Description: This mural transforms a community staircase into a flowing stream of water to bring attention to the critical issue of water accessibility in the favelas, which is especially inadequate due to Brazil's record-breaking drought.

Morro de Providencia - Brazil by Erica Hawkinson

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Year(s): 2015
Participants: 20 [all ages]
Partner(s): MacArthur Foundation, US Consulate in Brazil, Unidad de Policia Pacificadora
Description: Situated in the oldest favela in the city, the mural focuses on Dodo de Portela, a local legend and important figure in the history of Carnaval.

 

Melody Elementary School by TechTeam

 

Location: East Garfield Park - 3938 W Wilcox St, Chicago, IL
Year(s): 2013
Participants: 500 [4th-8th grade students]
Partner(s): Kitchen Community, Architects for Humanity. 
Description: Surrounding the school's garden and outdoor learning area, the murals depict the various stages of the agricultural cycle.