Oak Park village trustees unanimously approved a contractor agreement with Ray King Studio, Ltd., to do a “Flame Beacon” art installation at the southeast corner of South Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue and one with Graham Carraway to do a viaduct art installation under the Green Line L tracks at the same intersection.
The Oak Park Area Arts Council interviewed finalists for the installations as part of the Oak Park Avenue streetscape project, according to village officials, which had a conceptual design approved in December 2023. The combined cost of both art installations approved Tuesday will be about $350,000. It will be included in the $14.7 million budget for the streetscape. Sewer line replacements are also expected.
“We do want art that works for Oak Park, and that our Oak Parkers can embrace,” Village President Vicki Scaman said.
The “Flame Beacon” will be a roughly 16-foot-tall illuminated sculpture, according to village officials, costing about $150,000. The art installation under the viaduct will have a painted mural, illuminated recessed archways and cutouts, costing about $200,000. The numbers could fluctuate as agreements are finalized. Both projects are intended to be installed in 2025.
“This sculpture, along with an adjacent art installation under the viaduct, will improve the pedestrian experience, bring visitors to the area, create a strong visual entryway into the village, and improve the business district,” village officials wrote.
There were 42 responses to the village’s call for artists for the sculpture, and 39 for the viaduct installation. Village staff, staff from landscape architecture and engineering firms, and a representative from the Oak Park Art League reviewed responses first, according to village officials. Ray King Studio, Ltd. and Graham Carraway were chosen as the final recommended contractors to the village board.
Ray King, the artist for the sculpture, has exhibited his work since the mid-1970’s both across the United States and internationally. He specializes in use of light, science and color to create enticing sculptures. With his art, “King creates an environment that appeals to viewers’ sense of wonderment and delight,” according to his biography.
For the “Flame Beacon” sculpture, King was inspired by an Obelisk, which is Greek for “pointed instrument,” according to village officials. The Obelisk represents rebirth, eternity and immortality, officials wrote, and two modern interpretations use sun-responsive, color-shifting dichroic glass.
The “Flame Beacon” will be made of stainless steel and dichroic laminated safety glass, which can display multiple colors. The colors will change depending on the viewer’s perspective and the piece’s interaction with sunlight. It will be relatively easy to maintain and clean, too, Village Engineer Bill McKenna said.
Stainless steel is the material of choice for withstanding outdoor elements, even harsh winters, McKenna said. It’s resistant to salt damage, does not corrode quickly and is “fairly indestructible,” he said.
“According to the artist, the concept is a twisting geometric beacon of interlocking dodecahedrons that expands outward, then narrow up toward a point,” officials wrote.
The piece is intended to look like a single flame from afar, according to village officials. Up close, viewers will be able to see intricate structures in the beacon. The interior of the beacon will have LED lights to attract attention at night, the infrastructure for which the village will provide. King’s presentation of the design is available for viewing online.
“The piece at the southeast corner is really meant to be an entryway piece into the village for commuters coming off the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) station,” McKenna said. “As well as [creating] a focal point in that business district.”
Carraway, the artist for the viaduct installation, has experience with sign painting, fine art printmaking and sculpture fabrication, according to village officials. His plan for the viaduct installation is to create an interactive experience for viewers. The art is intended to be “dynamic” and “engaging,” according to officials, by combining fabricated elements and a mural.
“By incorporating elements that allow individuals to insert themselves into the artwork, we hope to foster a sense of ownership and connection among residents and visitors alike,” officials wrote.
Carraway’s concept is to use aluminum panels, colored LED lights along archways and cutouts to achieve his vision. The design also intends to incorporate local community elements, officials say, such as an Oak Park-specific mural with a graffiti-proof coating. Aluminum panels are also similarly easy to maintain, McKenna said.
The CTA station will be under construction in a few years to accommodate accessibility guidelines. McKenna said they’ve taken that into consideration to make sure the artwork under the viaduct is not affected.
“This very playful, artistic design provide[s] a lot of interesting contrast,” Trustee Brian Straw said. “This is going to be one of those things that you talked about, making people feel welcome.”
Camille Wilson White, executive director of the Oak Park Area Arts Council, said art can also help increase tourism and economic development for the village. Travelers under age 33 often choose their next location based on “Instagram-ability,” she said.
“Their [King and Carraway’s] work will also attract visitors to the village to see these unique and very cool public art installations,” she said.
