Above / When the elevator doors open at the third level of the Van Buren Parking Deck from either Benton Avenue or Main Street entrances, visitors are greeted with art representing Waubonsie Valley High School. At 2PM Sun., May 7, KidsMatter and Century Walk Corporation will host an Open House and Ribbon Cutting to introduce the community to art on all five entrances to the parking deck.
Update, 3PM Sun., May 7 / Hosted by Century Walk Corporation and KidsMatter, the ribbon cutting by Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli attracted high school artists, KidsMatter board members as well as representatives from School District 204, Naperville Park District and Naperville City Council. Other members of the community observed their enthusiasm on this sunny afternoon with temperatures in the high 80s.
Originally Posted, May 6, 2023 / On Sunday, May 7, 2023, the talents of art students from five area high schools that serve Naperville officially will be presented during an Open House/Ribbon Cutting to be held at the Van Buren Parking Deck, 50 S. Main Street in downtown Naperville.
The Open House will begin at 2PM in the lobby of the parking garage entrance off Main Street and will include an official ribbon cutting at 2:30PM with Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli.
In partnership with Naperville School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204, high school art students from each of the five schools have created painted wall murals, one parking deck floor per high school. The murals that grace both sides of the hallways reflect the unique spirit of each school.
Every time visitors come to Downtown Naperville and park at the city’s largest parking deck, depending on which of the five floors they park, they’ll be greeted with a high school mural at each floor’s elevator lobby while listening to that school’s song as it plays.
Sunday’s Ribbon Cutting/Open House celebrates the completion of the painted murals, done in partnership with local nonprofit organizations KidsMatter and Naperville Century Walk.
“The murals are beautiful works of art that showcase the talents of our area high school students in such a positive way,” stated Nina Menis, CEO and Executive Director of KidsMatter, in a news release. “Visitors along with students and their families can feel proud of Naperville’s community spirit when they visit downtown.”
According to Brand Bobosky, founder and President of Naperville’s Century Walk Corporation, the murals represent the next five additions to Century Walk, an organization dedicated to bringing public art to Naperville to add beauty, build community and bridge generations in both public and private locations that can be viewed by the public around the clock.
“These five floors of murals join over 50 pieces of public art as part of Naperville’s Century Walk. We are so proud of Naperville’s student creations,” added Bobosky.
Open House / Ribbon Cutting at 2PM
The Open House/Ribbon Cutting is free to attend. The public is invited to the open house starting at 2PM, followed by a Ribbon Cutting at 2:30PM, with time afterward for attendees to visit all five levels of the parking deck to see the murals.
To join the festivities, enter at the 50 S. Main Street parking garage entrance.
For more information about KidsMatter, visit kidsmatter2us.org. Find more about Naperville Century Walk at centurywalk.org.
Story submitted by Nina Menis for KidsMatter and Century Walk Corp. Photos by PN are a small sampling of the colorful murals now on permanent display in the Van Buren Parking Deck.
Reminder! The next Century Walk dedication will take place at 2PM Sat., May 27, when the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument is unveiled in Veterans Park, 301 E. Gartner Road. The public is invited. Bring your own collapsible chair.
The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument is a project of the Naperville Gold Star Families Memorial Committee, Century Walk Corporation and the Woody Williams Foundation. Many donors have contributed to the memorial including major gifts from Naperville Freemasons, Naperville Responds for Veterans and American Legion Riders.
