Glenview elected officials have taken steps to encourage the creation of outdoor public murals in the village’s downtown.
A new Downtown Mural Program, approved by the Village Board on April 7, identifies eight commercial buildings where murals could potentially be located and establishes an application process and evaluation criteria for submitted designs.
Under the program, the proposed mural should represent a historical or significant event; promote activity in the downtown through imagery that encourages photographs and social media interaction; or appear as a traditional postcard design, depicting aspects of the community, according to information shared with the Village Board.
Anyone can apply to create a mural, said Director of Community Development Jeff Brady.
Glenview trustees agreed that while the program will be overseen by the village, input from local artists and other interested parties will also be part of the process.
According to the village, potential mural locations include exterior side walls on Morning Glory Flower Shop, Oil Lamp Theater, Zenzi Den and the Colonial Court office building, all located on Glenview Road; Dunkin Donuts on Harlem Avenue and Joe Donut on Lehigh Avenue; and Gigi’s Closette and the former Ten Ninety Brewing Co. building on Waukegan Road.
Property owners would need to consent to the murals by signing installation and easement agreements with the village.
The purpose of the program is to “add visual interest, tell local stories and build on the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Glenview,” the village said in a statement. It also establishes a “long-term home” for mural art there, Brady said.
The village will fund any murals created, and while costs will differ based on the size, location and complexity of the design, the estimated expense is “plus or minus the $20,000 range,” Brady said.
The village will also be responsible for regular maintenance of the murals that are created, he added.
The approval of the program comes as the Glenview Art League prepares to add a grant-funded community mural to the rear walls of the Jimmy John’s building at 1746 Glenview Road.
The painting, a collaboration between the Glenview Art League, residents and Chicago artist Anne Farley Gaines, depicts a bridge on the North Branch of the Chicago River and will run parallel to the river.
It features a scene of pedestrians, bicyclists, native plants and area wildlife. Mosaic tiles will be added to the animals depicted in and along the river, according to the proposal.
Local history is also reflected in the design, with a Navy pilot (representing the former Naval Air Station Glenview); a member of the Kennicott family, the early settlers of The Grove; the Glenview Farmer’s Market; and a child riding in the 4th of July bike parade featured.
The mural is funded through a Cook County Arts grant secured by the village. The mural must be complete by the end of August under the terms of the grant, said Sandy Sheagren of the Glenview Art League.
Sheagren said the community will be invited to help add the mosaic tiles, and educational sessions with the artist will be offered.
She agreed that other artists should be involved in reviewing future mural proposals that come before the village.
“If you’re going to have people involved in making decisions, you have to have at least one artist, just for the design aspect,” she said.
Trustee Katie Jones questioned if the village could put a cap on the number of murals allowed in downtown to avoid a “domino effect” of multiple murals in the same area.
“I don’t think you have to worry about people coming out of the woodwork wanting to do murals all over the place,” said Sheagren. “Because it’s a long process. It’s difficult work.”
Sheagren also suggested that temporary murals, created on panels that can be taken down after a period of time, be considered as well.
