The Lytle House Art Initiative
It's easy to see the value in public art. Whether it's watching the dozens of people take photos in front of #EdgewaterDolly throughout the day or hearing first hand from members of the community how the various art installations have brightened their daily commute, the effect is obvious. For our own family, the artwork is something to look out for on the daily walk to and from school. Studies show that public art contributes to a community's identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors.
As Americans for the Arts put's it:
"Cities gain value through public art – cultural, social, and economic value. Public art is a distinguishing part of our public history and our evolving culture. It reflects and reveals our society, adds meaning to our cities and uniqueness to our communities. Public art humanizes the built environment and invigorates public spaces. It provides an intersection between past, present and future, between disciplines, and between ideas."
The Lytle House Art Initiative began in late 2018 with one simple goal; to install as much public art as we possibly can. A portion of our business revenue from our weekday, off season, and Courtyard Ceremonies go towards sponsoring a local art installation. In order to make every dollar count, we have partnered with Overhead Project; a local 501(c)(3) non-profit that offers micro grants, organizational support and financial services to individuals making a difference in their community.
Please consider supporting our efforts by clicking the link below
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VOLUNTEER YOUR PROPERTY
If you own a building (residential or commercial) in the Edgewater area and would be willing to have artwork installed on your property, please fill out this form to be added to the list.
DONATE
The Lytle House Art Initiative is powered by The Overhead Project a non-profit 501(c)(3). Donate directly for the funds to be utilized in upcoming installs.
If you're a muralist, equipment rental company, or paint supplier who would be interested in being involved, please email [email protected]
More installs coming soon...
#CanticleoftheSun
When Father Bob reached out and expressed an interest in volunteering a large expanse of building for artwork, he specifically mentioned the Canticle of the Sun as inspiration. This song was composed by Saint Francis of Assisi who is the patron Saint of St. Ita's. Without the generous donation in memoriam of the Jennings + Garrity Families and the Helen Brach Foundation, this mural would not have happened.
Special thanks to everyone who donated to make this mural a reality including:
Ryan Katz
Sherwin Willams
Sun Belt Rentals
Designed by: Michelle Lytle | Muralist: Ryan Tova Katz
#Dreamscape
In the artist's words:
"The design uses elements of nature such as the sun, flowers, a tree, moon, rain, snow and stars. Some elements are simplified whereas others are more photographic or descriptive. The design is a dreamscape/landscape where there are sections of the composition that make pictorial logic whereas other areas break from logic. I spent several months creating the design in Photoshop and referenced both historical and contemporary Japanese, Russian and American artists. Several areas are directly inspired by Russian folk art. Having immigrated to the US from the USSR in 1993, I was looking to make a connection back to my cultural roots through the visual motifs.
Specific themes that emerge are desire, transformation and dreams. As an immigrant, I have always been interested in the promise of the American Dream. This mural also makes reference to my 1990s Lisa Frank inspired childhood which promoted young girls’ experiences and the concept of ‘girl power.’ As I completed the project for Chicago Methodist Senior Services, I also began to think of the five panels as phases of life with a narrative sequence. Transience is emphasized through the sense of movement and one form turning into another. Many of the forms are ambiguously described to further emphasize the idea of transition and transformation. There is an overall sense of happiness and joy through the tropical, juicy color scheme. "
Special thanks to Chicago Methodist Senior Services for providing the canvas and funding and Praying Pelican Missions for preparing the wall for install!
Designed + Installed by: Marina Ross
#EWBOK
When Covid-19 struck, we felt like everyone else...wanting to help but not sure what to do. We partnered with an incredible movement spreading across the country to bring a little bit of hope to our neighbors. Jason Kofke has spent the last decade installing this message of hope across the world and we are so thankful to have partnered with him in his new project raising morale and much needed funds for local communities, including Edgewater.
In the two week run of this initiative, nearly $5,000 was raised for Care For Real.
Special thanks to Clarisse Perrette for allowing us to install on her building and for Jason Kofke for creating this movement!
Designed by: Jason Kofke | Muralist: Ryan Tova Katz
#EdgewaterPawPrints
Whenever we can, we try and come up with artwork that plays off of the existing environment near the artwork. This piece was created to play off of the large paw prints pressed into the sidewalk just in front of Edge Theater.
Special thanks to Edge Theater for volunteering their building and to Smoke for being a perfect model.
Designed by: Michelle Lytle | Muralist: Ryan Tova Katz
#EdgewaterInLove
We thought this would make a great backdrop for our wedding couples as well as express our own personal love of Edgewater. This mural is currently removed but we will work on reinstalling following the completion of the CTA Red Line Modernization
Special thanks to Alderman Osterman for helping get this approved.
Designed by: Michelle Lytle | Muralist: Ryan Tova Katz
#EdgewaterCharlie
Ever since we first moved into our home, I always looked at this wall a couple doors down and thought that the interesting mix of brick reminded me of something....eventually I figured it out. The masonry mimicked the brick wall that the Peanuts crew would hold their conversations behind.
Special thanks to Kim at Pasteur for volunteering her building.
Layout by: Michelle Lytle | Muralist: Vincent Vittorini
#EdgewaterDolly
We had always discussed possibly installing some art on the front of our fence. After we were hit by taggers a couple times in our first year of completing renovations, we realized we needed to do it sooner rather than later. We installed Dolly shortly thereafter and the response has been incredible. Each year, when I am touching her up before summer, I am routinely stopped by neighbors and told how they love seeing her each day.
Muralist: Michelle Lytle
Kites Over Edgewater
When we started discussing features we wanted to incorporate into the property, a large mural had always been top of this list. We knew we would have some sort of barrier between Broadway and the courtyard, so we wanted to make sure to incorporate something that people could see from the street. We did both with the installation of a 30'X40' piece illustrated by David Fleck.
The mural shows the Chicago skyline as seen from Edgewater. It has many recognizable landmarks including but not limited to St. Ita's, Edgewater Beach Apartments, Hollywood Beach + the Andersonville water tower. The kites are used prominently throughout David Fleck's work as a symbol of community + fun.
Special thanks to our neighbor, Dorian, for volunteering his building.
Designed by: David Fleck | Muralist: Ryan Tova Katz
#EdgewaterGroundskeeper
This work is based off of a photo I took of my oldest daughter, Sunny, watering flowers on our patio.
Special thanks to Andersonville Physical Therapy for volunteering their building.
Designed by: Michelle Lytle | Muralist: Ryan Tova Katz
#EdgewaterMoneyTree
I wanted to create a piece that people could take photos interacting with as well as install something on a wall that looked particularly beat up on Broadway. Stand just outside the fence and take a photo pulling off one of the bills.
Special thanks to Zirlin Interiors for volunteering their building.
Designed by: Michelle Lytle | Muralist: Ryan Tova Katz
Charlie Chaplin
This install can be found along Uptown's Clifton Avenue Street Art Gallery. Charlie Chaplin was employed by Essanay Studios in the Uptown area in the early 1900s when he created his landmark film of the Chaplin series, The Tramp.
Special thanks to Uptown United for funding this project.
Designed by: Michelle Lytle | Muralist: Ryan Tova Katz