Community members are invited to join Downtown Evanston and the Evanston Mural Art Program (EMAP) on Tuesday, September 25 at 5:30 p.m. for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate new public art on Church Street in Downtown Evanston. The ribbon cutting will take place at the murals which are located on the Union Pacific/Metra underpass near Maple Avenue.

Downtown Evanston partnered with EMAP in May of 2018 to build support for creating a colorful and vibrant walkway on Church Street. Downtown Evanston helped secure financing for the two murals by well-known Chicago artists, Jeff Zimmermann and Anthony Lewellen. Mural sponsors include the Evanston Arts Council; Downtown Evanston; FD Stonewater (owner of 1007 Church Street); Ron Onesti, owner of Rock ‘N Ravioli; McCaffrey Interests (property management company for Church Street Plaza); and Dan Kelch, owner of Taco Diablo, Lulu’s and Five and Dime.

EMAP was key in bringing the artists to the table and coordinating all aspects of the mural installation. Anthony Lewellen and Jeff Zimmerman were the selected by the mural sponsors and the artists were provided a list of thematic words that reflects popular downtown activities including dining, music and fitness.

Downtown Evanston is a nonprofit business organization that provides marketing and management services to Evanston’s downtown business district.