CTA Montrose Blue Line Station to Get New, Unique Public Artwork by Chicago Artist as Part of Mayor Emanuel’s Your New Blue Program

CTA announces hire of local artist to create artwork that is reflective of local community; Artist, CTA to hold meeting 11/20 to get public input to develop art concepts  

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced it has hired a Chicago artist to create new public artwork for the Montrose Blue Line station as part of Mayor Emanuel’s vision for expanding public art on CTA and across the City, which so far has more than doubled station art to more than 70 CTA rail stations.  

Today’s announcement complements the Mayor’s dedication of 2017 as the “Year of Public Art” – a year-long, citywide celebration of public art incorporated into City projects. The addition of artwork at Montrose follows a significant station rehabilitation in 2016, one of several Blue Line stations on the O’Hare branch that have been modernized and upgraded as part of Mayor Emanuel’s Your New Blue O’Hare branch modernization program begun in 2014.  

“We’re pleased to bring art to places where people can enjoy them every day – in the heart of our neighborhoods, the local train stations,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “We appreciate the support of the Mayor for both the ongoing modernization of the CTA system, including the Blue Line, as well as his appreciation for the positive impact that art has on the vibrancy of our local communities.”  

CTA has hired local artist Chris Cosnowski to commission the artwork and will hold a community meeting on November 20, 2017 for members of the Irving Park and Mayfair neighborhoods to come meet the artist and share input on future artwork plans. The artist’s work, which recalls the Pop Art tradition and features subjects derived from the world of toys and Americana, will enhance the travel experience for commuters while further adding to the character and vibrancy of the surrounding community.  

Monday, November 20, 2017
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Mayfair Branch Library*
4400 West Lawrence Avenue
Chicago, IL. 60630
*Facility is accessible to people with disabilities.  

CTA anticipates the art will be installed at Montrose by early 2019. Currently, 71 stations have public art and another 10, including today’s project at Montrose, are expected to have art installed in the near future.  

Additionally, as part of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events first-ever Chicago Public Art Plan unveiled last week, CTA will soon be launching a new collaborative art program that will highlight the perspectives of Chicago artists and neighborhoods with illuminated light boxes installed at select rail stations. These fixtures will allow CTA to rotate visual art and photography exhibits that will enhance rail stations for customers.  

CTA’s art collection can be found on all eight of CTA’s rail lines and includes mosaics, art glass and sculptures created by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, many of whom are local. For more information about CTA’s public art program, visit transitchicago.com/art.  

Your New Blue
The Montrose Blue Line station, along with the Addison, Irving Park, Harlem and Cumberland stations, were rehabilitated in 2016 as part of the Your New Blue program. This $492 million modernization program will update a total of 14 Blue Line stations, make elevated and subway infrastructure upgrades, track signal improvements and traction power upgrades.  

Improvements made to the Montrose station, which had more than 745,000 station entries last year, beautified and brightened the station and included platform and platform canopy updates; renovated platform furniture; replaced walkway railings; new lighting and new paint.  

About Artist Chris Cosnowski

Chris Cosnowski (b. 1968), who resides in Chicago, IL, is a modern artist who paints Americana in a realistic style, producing paintings that are at once lifelike in detail and humorous in concept. He has been a member of the American Academy of Art faculty since 2003 and currently teaches figure drawing and painting. He holds an M.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from Northwestern University and a B.F.A. in Illustration from the Columbus College of Art and Design.

Cosnowski’s work has been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout the country. Recent exhibitions include “SUPER-ficial,” a retrospective of the artist’s work mounted at the South Shore Arts Center in Munster, IN; and “American Metal,” a solo exhibition at Lyonswier Gallery in New York. He has also exhibited in such venues as Dolby-Chadwick Gallery in San Francisco, the Evanston Art Center, Hyde Park Art Center, and the Chicago Cultural Center, amongst many others. 

 Cheerleaders (2012), oil on panel by artist Chris Cosnowski

L'Appel du Savage (2007), oil on panel by artist Chris Cosnowski