July 27, 2020 – New artwork on the Chicago Riverwalk includes a 180-foot-long mural that celebrates 100 years of Art Deco.

The mural, The Radiance of Being  by Chicago artist Kate Lynn Lewis, is located west of Michigan Avenue at the Riverwalk’s Community Marketplace. It is composed of motifs from Art Deco buildings such as Adler Planetarium, Chicago Motor Club, Palmer House, and Palmolive Building.

(Left) Overlooking the Chicago Riverwalk, another motif of The Radiance of Being  by Kate Lynn Lewis.

“The Riverwalk is surrounded on all angles by art deco architecture, so it felt like a great opportunity to expound on the immersive experience of painting a deco collage inspired by motifs found in the area, ” said Lewis.

At the west end of the Riverwalk, a series of 55 portraits of Chicagoans by street artist Dont Fret is being installed, according to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

“There are certain character traits that I think define a true Chicagoan,” said the artist. “Tough, full-browed with a sense of ingenuity and midwestern humbleness, but always toiling, working, moving forward with an almost absurd laugh and grin about this crazy, wonderful city.” (Right) A Chicagoan depicted by artist Dont Fret.