Community members invited to “Meet the Artist” and share feedback next week
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) invites members of the neighborhood surrounding the Jefferson Park Blue Line station to attend the “Meet the Artist” community meeting, hosted by CTA and 45th Ward Alderman John Arena. During this gathering, attendees will have an opportunity to meet renowned artist Jamie Pawlus and provide input on new artwork she has been hired to commission for the Blue Line station.
In October 2016, the Chicago Transit Board approved the award of this contract as part of CTA’s ongoing commitment to have art at all rail stations within the City of Chicago and other key transit locations. Ms. Pawlus’s work at the Jefferson Park station will enhance the travel experience for commuters while further adding to the character and vibrancy of the surrounding community.
To assist the artist as she begins preparing her project renderings, CTA will collect feedback from riders, residents and neighbors at the following community meeting:
CTA Jefferson Park Station – Community Art Meeting
Wednesday, May 31 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Copernicus Center
5216 W Lawrence Ave.
Chicago, IL. 60630
*Facility is accessible to people with disabilities.
CTA issued a Call for Artists in December 2015 seeking local, national and international artists to submit their qualifications and portfolios for consideration. Chosen from a competitive field, Ms. Pawlus was selected by an evaluation committee based on her artistic merit, qualifications, professional recognition and her written statement of interest.
Under the leadership of Mayor Emanuel, CTA’s collection of public art has nearly doubled since 2011 – currently boasting more than 60 works of art across all eight rail lines. It includes mosaics, art glass and sculptures created by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, many of whom are local. Over the next few years, CTA’s public art collection will further expand to include nearly a dozen new works of art.
# # #
About Artist Jamie Pawlus
Jamie Pawlus is a conceptual artist whose work focuses on the urban environment.
The universal ideas and messages found in her art are based on anecdotal expressions of personal experiences. Often her works are created from repurposed materials commonly found in the public realm, including commercial and transportation signage. Pawlus's work has been exhibited in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Cusco, Peru in a wide variety of venues including museums, galleries, parks, airports, transit stations, bus shelters and parking lots. Ms. Pawlus earned a BFA from Herron School of Art and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Kansas. Jamie Pawlus currently resides in in Indianapolis.
For more information on the artist, please visit JamiePawlus.com