The Park District of Oak Park, in collaboration with the Oak Park Area Arts Council, installed a mosaic mural titled “Motor Row” at the north parking lot of the Community Recreation Center.
Carolyn Elaine, a mosaicist, created the piece as part of the “Off the Wall” program under the Oak Park Area Arts Council, according to a PDOP news release. The parking lot wall where it is displayed is at 228-230 Madison St.
Off the Wall is a summer youth program for individuals aged 16 to 22, according to the release. Its purpose is to design, construct and install murals in and around Oak Park. So far, 15 large murals have been installed as part of this program.
Elaine, along with some Off the Wall apprentices, constructed and installed the piece. “Motor Row,” the mural’s title, honors a historic stretch of Madison Street where visitors purchased cars and sought out vehicle maintenance, according to the release.
“The Park District of Oak Park is proud to support local artists and bring public art to our community spaces,” said Kassie Porreca, president of the Park District Board of Commissioners. “We invite everyone to visit the space to experience this beautiful mosaic and appreciate the rich history it represents.”
Elaine and other Off the Wall artists also renovated the mosaic titled “Stories of our Neighborhood” on the east wall of the CRC. According to Camille Wilson White, the executive director of the Oak Park Area Arts Council, the Off the Wall program has been in existence for about 19 years.
“Many of the young apprentices who have gone through the program are now teachers or professional artists,” White said in the release. “They credit the Off the Wall program with developing not only their artistic skills, but also developing their leadership skills.”