Bucktown Community Organization

Due to COVID-19, the Bucktown Community Organizations (BCO) main fundraising apparatus of local small business sponsorship via the Bucktown Neighborhood & Garden Walk is not going to happen like in past years; thus, much of our 2020 revenue has disappeared.  In efforts to continue to do our work, we are asking for your donation.

With this in mind, in efforts to enhance the Bucktown Green and beautify the neighborhood, the BCO has chosen Bucktowns’ Sam Marts to create the mural "Illinois Landscape" to enliven the back wall of the Bucktown Wicker Park Library  The implementation method consists of commercial grade printed vinyl strips that are attached to a frame.  This method allows a large mural (estimated at 10’ x 90’) at a fraction of the cost while making the wall easier to maintain vs. painting the brick.  City Council, DCASE, CPL, and Asset Management approved; many eyes are watching to see if this is a future method of beautifying Chicago.

The estimated 10’x90’ canvas of "Illinois Landscape" by Sam Marts  envisions individual corn plants framed in a graphic grid.  Corn has long been a foundation of the Illinois economy and an iconic landscape image of Illinois.  The expressions, “Knee High” by the fourth of July or as “High as an Elephants Eye,” remain measures of the prosperity of our world.   Besides corn being in almost everything we eat, corn is why railroads radiate from Chicago, and corn is why the Board of Trade exists.  The rectangular panels will recall the decorative terracotta tiles that adorned many Chicago buildings while the repetitious, horizontal elements of the mural will complement the building's architecture.  “Illinois Landscape” will tower above a person standing by the mural and relaxing at the Bucktown Green, encouraging one to be a child again, getting lost in a cornfield.

Why should you give?  Give because you love Bucktown... give because in these unprecedented times, beautifying green space is just what everyone needs…  give because you love the history of Illinois and the impact of corn to Chicago...  give because you question the benefits of large agriculture as the mural asks the question...  give because you want to be part of something bigger than yourself...  give because you know and love Sam Marts…  give because the BCO  needs these dollars to continue our community work now more than ever...  now more than ever...

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me personally and the Bucktown Community.  For more updates, you can always follow our story on facebook and instagram .   

** For those who give $20 or more, you can be a BCO  member, just email [email redacted] with your contact info and we will sign you up **
** and a very special thank you to SSA#33 for providing support toward the mural **