DeKalb Artists Featured on Utility Box Murals

The artwork of five DeKalb residents is showcased in the latest round of a program extending public art throughout the community.

Paintings by these artists were used to create the fourth round of utility box murals, which were recently installed through the public art initiative of the City of DeKalb and its Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC). Digital images of the artwork were made into vinyl wraps, which were installed on large utility boxes, creating pop-up murals throughout the community. Their artwork was selected from nearly 50 submissions from local artists for this latest round of the program.

"Thank you to all the talented artists who submitted their artwork to beautify our City. The skill and creativity shown in your work is another example of the vibrancy of DeKalb's arts community," said Mayor Cohen Barnes. "It is a thrill to be able to share this artwork with the public, and we're excited to extend this program to more neighborhoods."

While the initial rounds concentrated the murals in the downtown, this latest round expanded the footprint of the program to new areas of the City. Below are the artists and the locations of their murals.

• Doug Overton, North Annie Glidden Road and Lucinda Avenue
• Christine Perkovich, Dresser Road and Pride Avenue
• Lise Schlosser, North Annie Glidden Road and West Hillcrest Drive
• Charlie B. Thorne, North First Street and Pine Street
• Aaron Tinder, North First Street and West Hillcrest Drive

"We were very pleased and excited by the nearly 50 submissions from local artists for this year's utility box art initiative," said Brad Hoey, Chair of the CCEC. "The quantity and quality of the applications reveals that this public art program resonates with area artists, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from city residents is an indication that utility box art is very popular with members of the DeKalb community."

With utility boxes available throughout the community, the City and CCEC plan to feature the artwork of more local artists in a growing number of neighborhoods throughout DeKalb.

The utility box mural program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Doug Overton, a Master of Fine Arts student at Northern Illinois University, painted "NIU Corn Huskie," which is featured on the utility box mural near the NIU campus at Annie Glidden Road and Lucinda Avenue.

"Cragar S/S" by Aaron Tinder of DeKalb was used to create the utility box mural at North First Street and West Hillcrest Drive.

The utility box mural at the entrance to DeKalb High School features the painting "Welcome to DeKalb, Illinois" by Christine Perkovich of DeKalb.

The painting "Golden Doodle" by Lise Schlosser of DeKalb is featured on the utility box mural at Annie Glidden Road and Hillcrest Drive.

The painting "Old Del Monte Tower with Corn" by Charlie B. Thorne of DeKalb is featured on the utility box mural at North First and Pine Street.