The Viaduct Galleries at Downtown Hyde Park Brings Fresh Look to 53rd & 55th Street Viaducts

CHICAGO (May 13, 2025)- Special Service Area #61/Downtown Hyde Park, teamed up with the Chicago Public Art Group (CPAG) and the South East Chicago Commission to revitalize the 53rd Street and 55th Street viaducts connected to Lake Park Ave at the Metra Station.

On Thursday May 22nd, the Viaduct Galleries at Downtown Hyde Park will unveil and highlight the work of 19 local artists from across more than 15 Chicago neighborhoods in a beautiful showcase of community and culture. The community unveiling will begin at the 55th Street viaduct at 10:00am.

The Board of Commissioners of SSA #61 is comprised of business and property owners within the designated taxing district. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago for two- to three-year terms. In 2021, the Commissioners proposed several large initiatives to beautify the district and attract more visitors to businesses within the corridors. Refreshing the viaduct art is a major piece of the Viaducts Initiative.

The viaducts connect the east and west side of the business districts, allowing the art to seamlessly encourage movement throughout. Successful submissions approached the site with a bold and creative vision that reflects the community’s best qualities – its connectedness, diversity, culture, entertainment, and residents.

A Call for Artists was sent out in 2024 and an independent three-judge panel reviewed over 600 submissions to select the 19 works of art on display. Artists were expected to create an attraction that acts as an entry point for visitors to experience the viaducts as a “must see” amenity. This revitalization serves to improve the safety and well-being of pedestrians, bikers, and vehicular traffic by creating a sense of place for surprising, delightful interactions, welcoming visitors and residents alike to venture through Hyde Park.

The goal is to make the viaducts welcoming and inviting for:

(1) Area residents, those who cross the viaducts enroute to restaurants, shops, local businesses and attractions that Downtown Hyde Park offers.

(2) All of Chicagoland and tourists, who visit Hyde Park to work, shop, dine and entertain.

—————-

About SSA 61 and the South East Chicago Commission

The South East Chicago Commission is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to facilitate and support economic development within the Southeast lakefront communities of Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park and Woodlawn and to foster collaboration and coordination among businesses, organizations and institutions to promote the creation of jobs, investment and economic vitality.

The SECC serves as the official Service Provider for Special Service Area #61 aka Downtown Hyde Park, which comprises the 53rd and 55th Street corridors connected by Lake Park Avenue. Special Service Areas, known as Business Improvement Districts or BIDs in other cities, are local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within contiguous areas.

 

About Chicago Public Art Group

Chicago Public Art Group (CPAG) is an internationally recognized coalition of professional artists working to produce public artwork with community involvement. For the past half-century, CPAG has created nearly 1,000 projects including murals, sculptures, earthworks, playgrounds, and mosaics, throughout Chicago and beyond. Their work is rooted in these principles: Everyone deserves to experience great art. Every community should have a voice. Art-making and public art encourage community investment.

CPAG unites artists, citizens, and organizations to produce high-quality art reflective of the community where it is placed. The organization mentors, trains, inspires, and supports its artists to create public art throughout Chicago.  It educates and teaches creative skills to children and adults, providing them with the tools to articulate their ideas and the confidence to transform their physical environment.

 

Tag :