A new Mural was inaugurated in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village at a ribbon-cutting Ceremony on Saturday, August 27 at 3:30 pm at 815 N. Oakley Blvd. The mural depicts a Ukrainian woman symbolizing the beauty, strength, and courage of Ukraine and its people. Everyone is invited.
The idea of a mural in the neighborhood was conceived three years ago but due to Covid all plans stopped. But as Russia’s unprovoked savage war shocked the world and residents of Ukrainian Village, a new idea for a mural emerged. Chicago residents Mark Wyshnytzky and Marta Farion teamed up with Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Illinois Division to raise the funding for the project. Sponsors will be honored on a permanent plaque.
They identified two Chicago artists, both 21 years old, who jumped at the chance to paint such a significant project. Conrad Edmonds, also known as “Face”, is a Chicago native and a fine artist who has already painted large murals. Sechor (Artist) was born in Chicago, raised in Lviv, Ukraine, and then moved back to Chicago at the age of 15 focusing on the art of graffiti since then. Both artists will be present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Chicago neighborhood was officially declared “Ukrainian Village” by a unanimous City Council Resolution and signed by Mayor Jane Byrne on January 18, 1983. The area is bounded by Division Street to the north, Superior Street to the south, Damen Avenue to the east, and Campbell Avenue to the west. The Ukrainian community has invested millions of dollars into the development of the neighborhood through the years.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony has special meaning at this time of the Russian unprovoked war against Ukraine, as many members of the community have family and friends, and some lost loved ones in the brutality of the violence. The image of a Ukrainian young woman watching over the neighborhood symbolizes the strength of the Ukrainian spirit and the culture of infinite courage to defend freedom.