Southland communities put work into artworks
Villages prepare to spruce up spring with public art projects
People will find more parking in downtown Homewood this spring — if they are pedaling on two wheels.
This year’s iteration on the Homewood Business Association’s community art project, Bike Smart, has local artists painting U-shaped bicycle stalls to roll out by the end of spring. While the racks may be found near some of the village’s outlying businesses, as well, HBA Director Julie Lawton said most will be placed in Homewood’s downtown business district.
“There really is not enough bike parking for people who come into downtown to shop,” Lawton said. “It’s nice to do something for the whole community.”
While the HBA has been sponsoring annual community art projects for the past five years, this is the first time the art is permanent and functional. Benches for Change also served a function, Lawton said, but those installations were temporary.
“This is the first time we’ve done something that will be permanently placed around town,” Lawton said. “Nobody will ever take these.”
Lawton said the idea came about after a conversation with Steve Buchtel, a manager at GoodSpeed Cycles. While Homewood has become more bike-friendly, including adding some bike lanes, parking for the bicycles has been an issue.
“That’s pretty cool,” Buchtel said. “Obviously, we’ve got an interest at the bike shop in more people biking more often, but also it’s really great for the businesses.”
After artists put their stamp on the 20 racks, Ford of Homewood will put a clear coating on them to help protect against the elements. General manager Bruce Hemminger said the racks will be a welcome addition.
“We’re always looking to be able to help the community as much as we can,” Hemminger said. “It just seemed like something that was good to do.”
People will be able to pick up maps of the racks in June at the village’s Artisan Street Fair to find their permanent spots around town. The HBA is also holding a raffle for a bike donated by GoodSpeed to raise money for the organization’s efforts to help businesses around town through marketing and events. Tickets are $10 at participating businesses.
“We have a really good, close-knit community, not only for the citizens of the town but also the businesses are very close, and we work closely together to support each other,” Lawton said.
As weather turns warmer, other Southland towns will be rolling out public art projects as well.
First up is a community art project introduced last year by the village of Homer Glen. Tulip Art in the Park is set to return throughout May. Artists purchase 15-inch-by-18-inch wooden tulips and decorate them with weather-resistant materials before they are placed around Heritage Park.
“It’s always amazing what people create,” said Sue Steilen, the village’s community events coordinator. “They didn’t just look like flowers. It’s not like they’re huge art pieces, but what people do with them is amazing.”
Last year saw 90 decorated tulips, and this year Homer Glen is looking to make it an even 100. Steilen said the community appreciates art and wants to get involved with it, from scarecrows in the park to snowmen. The tulips proved particularly popular last year as people were looking for unique activities during the pandemic.
“It was something people could do at home and then bring to the park,” Steilen said.
Tinley Park’s long-running Benches on the Avenue are set to return by May 4, pending weather. In the program’s 19th year, 22 benches are to feature the theme of “Animal Adventure,” according to Donna Framke, the village’s marketing director.
There will be six new talents joining the seasoned artists returning this year. Framke said the benches go out at a time when flowers are starting to bloom and help bring extra life to downtown Tinley Park. The popular art installations typically remain until October.
“Even during the pandemic, it was very well-received,” Framke said. “It’s transcended a lot of things.”
Lake Katherine Nature Center in Palos Heights is preparing the May installation of panels featuring a storybook called “Little Turtle Get Lost” by Jean Gnap. The book is set at Lake Katherine, and artist Victoria Lantz is painting eight panels that depict the tale. It is expected to be up until Nov. 1.
Last spring, the City of Lockport saw giant ducks customized by local artists to decorate downtown in unique ways and draw attention to local businesses amid the pandemic. But this year Lockport has something new up its sleeve — or a few somethings.
Wendy Streit, chairwoman of the Lockport Summer Art Series committee, said they have been exploring the idea of two permanent projections mounted in the city’s scale house that would focus on the history of the canal. Projection art has been a notable part of Chicago’s Merchandise Mart and done in other cities, as well.
“We have the perfect building for such a project, and it also gives us the opportunity to do ongoing things to project all kinds of new concepts and ideas,” Streit said.
She added that it gives Lockport a chance to use unique artists for the project in a way that can be fun, educational and historical, all at once.
But that’s not it for art in Lockport this year.
Streit said they are also looking to do hidden art throughout the community, with artists from the Illinois State Museum painting on 2-inch-by-2-inch canvases that people will receive coordinates to find.
The White Oak Library District: Lockport Branch, which is gearing up for another Comicopolis on July 23, is to offer two free sessions with an artist so members of the community can paint tiny canvases and hide their art, as well, Streit said.
Nik & Ivy Brewing in Lockport is also home to an Art-O-Mat, a converted cigarette machine that lets customers purchase art for $5. It includes a little tip about what the art might be but also has an element of randomness to it, Mayor Steve Streit said.
“It’s really kind of kitschy but it’s fun,” he said. “And the machine looks really cool.”
The art featured in the machine is curated from across the United States, but there is a special slot exclusive to Lockport-centric artists.