Special Service Area #61, in partnership with its service provider, South East Chicago Commission (SECC), is proud to announce the completion of two new murals in Downtown Hyde Park. #SSA61
Building upon the history of local Hyde Park murals, SSA 61 selected two artists, Nico Berry and Izze Ortiz, to bring new creative art, culture and vibrancy to the community.
Nico Berry installed the mural titled “Harold’s Parakeets” adjacent to the 53rd Street Metra viaduct. Izze Ortiz installed the “Essence of Growth” adjacent to the 55th Street Metra viaduct.
ARTISTS BEHIND THE SCENES
In their own words…
Nico Berry, a native Chicagoan who attended Kenwood Academy and Ancona Schools, was commissioned for the 53rd Street location to install a mural titled Harold’s Parakeets. Berry has over two decades of experience painting murals.
“My vision was to create a mural that reflects and celebrates the character, history, and diverse population of Hyde Park, the neighborhood where I was born and raised. It features a large portrait of Harold Washington, a number of Monk Parakeets, as well as architectural and natural elements that evoke Hyde Park and the city of Chicago,” said Berry.
Follow on Instagram @nicosprayitloud
Emerging artist and native Chicagoan, Izze Ortiz was commissioned for the 55th Street location. Creatively titled Essence of Growth, the mural’s design includes three intergenerational characters at different places in their life.
“I was thinking a lot about self-love. When you love yourself, you can be in service to others. It’s important that people love each other,” said Ortiz.
Follow on Instagram: @heyitsizze
View Official Press Release 11-30-2021
