"While the spirit of neighborliness was important on the frontier because neighbors were so few, it is even more important now because our neighbors are so many." -- Lady Bird Johnson
Criss-crossed by freeways and railroad tracks, I moved here 12 years ago for the general quiet and easy access to other parts of the city. It is a neighborhood that Mom said reminded her of her childhood. While comfortable, it's not been the most exciting of places to live - until recently. Murals are popping up everywhere! Underpass eyesores are getting a face lift. Neighbors speaking a multitude of different native languages are joining forces to add dashes of bold color to stretches of rusty grey.
I love the recent one designed by Rafael Lopez at Avondale and Addison. He designed it specifically so children could help paint it. A community garden is also being developed next to it.
While the Avondale mural is completed, the Old Irving Park Association requests volunteers for another mural including some mosaic work. Woohooo! This makes the 7th mural within a 15 minute walk of my house!
When offered the chance to do some yarn bombing in my own neighborhood, I jumped at the chance. Mary K. Lawrie (my community arts design partner) and I are leading a yarn bombing at the Addison St. Bridge spanning across the entire freeway. Yes, you read that correctly! We need your help! Workshop dates will soon be announced, most likely a Thursday evening and a Saturday morning later this month or in early August. Leave a comment if you want me to get back to you with the specifics once I know them or "like" my Facebook page to get the details. Clover and Lion Brand Yarns have generously donated most of the supplies we need. Thank you!
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