Christmas came early for the Naperville Century Walk Corporation last December when it received a grant through the DuPage Foundation’s fall Community Needs cycle*. The $20,000 gift, funded by the JCS Fund, will allow Century Walk to complete the KidsMatter Way-Finding Murals project that was initially started in 2010.
The concept was brilliant: Each floor of the Van Buren Parking Garage, 43 West Van Buren, would be dedicated to one of the five area public high schools—North, Central, Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley. Using school colors and mascots as inspiration, recruited students would create identifying murals to enhance the walls of the western stairwell located inside the structure. The young artists, working under the guidance of local muralist Timm Etters, would develop powerful themes and execute memorable designs to serve as memory triggers for parkers in search of their cars.
Starting on the top level, the first three murals were completed on schedule. But then the project stalled. Plagued with delays including health issues, garage reconstruction, and severe weather conditions; progress was put on hold for seven years. Now, after overcoming all of the challenges, plans are in place to move ahead. Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley high schools will be working on levels one and two respectively and are scheduled to finish their part of the project this year. As a bonus, the artistic crew will be recreating the City’s external parking lot signs in a style and color that will complement the interior.
With funding in hand, Century Walk President Brand Bobosky is eager to see the final product as are those who have witnessed the transformation of the concrete walls thus far. Upon the project’s completion, drivers spiraling up the ramp of the Van Buren Parking Garage will encounter the murals, each of which will carry a positive message of a brighter future as seen through the eyes of Naperville’s next generation.
* The DuPage Foundation awarded nearly $270,000 in grants to 30 DuPage County nonprofits working in the areas of Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Education, and the Environment. Naperville award recipients include Alive Center, DuPage Children’s Museum, KidsMatter, DuPage Symphony Orchestra, North Central College, and Young Naperville Singers.
