Community Flocks to ‘Draw on the Wall’ to Create Temporary Public Art in Aurora
Draw on the Wall, a community art project kicked off by Aurora Mural Project (AMP), welcomed locals to create art on West Downer Place in mid-March. More than 50 came out to the wall to draw with permanent markers and chalk. Art varied from “tagging” to a likeness of Marie Wilkinson.
Art teacher Grahame Wilkins worked for hours on a chalk portrait of Marie Wilkinson, a revered civic leader in Aurora.
Two Washington Middle School students added anime and other fun art to the wall. Their art teacher, Samantha Oulavong, offered extra credits to students for participating.
Some of Aurora’s youth had a chance to create public art. The temporary mural was a chance for all ages to join together and be part of the Aurora Mural Project.
Silhouettes of Aurorans grace the Downer Place wall, along with unicorns, peace signs, cats, dinosaurs, and sentiments.
Artist Josh Schultz, of Oswego, is part of the Aurora Mural Project and will help create the permanent mural for the wall this spring. Alderman Mike Saville, listening to Ward 6 resident Rebekah Axtell, stopped by the wall to see how things were shaping up. The wall is in Saville’s ward.
Toward the end of the day, the wall was filled with lines and color. In six hours, the wall was turned from a peeling gray retaining wall into a welcoming and vibrant work of art. The temporary mural will last until the wall is prepped for the permanent mural. AMP hopes to unveil the wall by Memorial Day.
This was such a fun event! It’s amazing how this drew out so many friends and neighbors out on a Saturday afternoon to make art and spend time together. My daughter loved it too. Great job to everyone who helped make this happen!