This stretch of murals, also called the B_Line, is an ongoing work. It was created in 1971--and…read moreyes, you heard that correctly; it's over 50 years old. Ricardo Alonzo was an SAIC graduate and started the project with an environmental focus, but over time they have evolved. The organization that assumed responsibility for murals selects artists from around the world to paint them, and flies them out here to create their work. While most of the original murals from 50 years ago have faded away with time, they try to preserve what they can and create new art when they can't. It's an interesting stretch of about a mile, and is not a city project. The organization has an arrangement in perpetuity with the railroad for which the embankment is built. It will be interesting to see how this evolves and what new works are created.

These murals make a reason to visit in an otherwise bland elevated rail infrastructure,separating…read morethe Fulton market neighborhood. Each segment, uniquely different, are an homage to the city and its people. Colorful and vibrant, it paints a picture of unique individualism and whimsy countering a gentrifying area of the city.

How now bronze cow…read more.. Peter Hanig, a shoe retailer, saw an exhibit of decorated cows in Zurich and brought the idea home to Chicago. This sparked a national and international trend of placing painted sculptures in cities incorporating a wide range of themes including cows and boots in Houston, DNA double helix sculptures in London, baby elephants on parade in Copenhagen (which were amazing to see), globes in Tel Aviv and 500 shoes in Istanbul. This sculpture, nicknamed "In Remembrance of Things Past," is a nod to the original Chicago CowParade held in 1999. If you look closely, you can see a reflection of the Water Tower in the right eye and the Untitled Picasso sculpture in the left. She stands permanently guarding the Chicago Cultural Center across from Millennium Park today. For more information, scan the Statue Stories Chicago QR code at your visit.

The Bronze Cow stands alone outside the Chicago Cultural Center on Washington Street. She is part…read moreof Chicago's Cultural History of Artists that designed Fiberglass Cow Statues that were placed throughout the City of Chicago in an effort to support the unification of citizens through art in public spaces. This Bronze Cow was a gift to all Chicagoans and today tells the story and history of The Cow Exhibit in 1999. Listen via your telephone to the story of The Bronze Cow- You can hear the story of The Bronze Cow by scanning the QR Code and listening to it on your cellular telephone. 2019-The Cows Come Home Retrospective along The Mag Mile- Currently there is a retrospective of the Cow Exhibition called "The Cows Come Home" located along the Magnificent Mile (Summer 2019) celebrating the artists works. My Favorite-"The Swiss Cheese Cow"- My favorites are the cows in former Mayor Jane Byrne's Plaza/Park located outside the old Water Tower. I love the "Swiss Cheese" Cow. Really creative! FYI-What exactly is a "cow?" "A cow is a female that has had at least one calf. A heifer is a female that has not yet had a calf; she becomes a cow after her first calf is born. A bull is a male that is able to breed. A steer is a male that has been castrated and is not able to breed." Source: Google Search 'What sex are cows?" https://www.google.com

I love this mural in Bucktown. Just half a block west of Ashland, you'll find Vivian Maier involved…read morein the pastime that brought her such great posthumous fame and acclaim. Maier took over 100,000 photos in her lifetime. Most of these were in Chicago, though she did take some in other cities. She was a mystery in life; most of her life she spent as a nanny in Chicago, though at one time she was a house cleaner for Phil Donahue. It may have been serendipity that her failure to pay rent on a storage unit led to its being auctioned off. A few folks in Chicago purchased her thousands of negatives, and they went viral after on of the new owners posted them online. Maier is one of the most important amateur photographers in American history--probably the most important, history. I like this little mural, depicting Maier engaging in her life's work. We're lucky she quietly documented Chicago's history from the 50's through 80's. There are documentaries to learn more about her, and your can find her work exhibited on occasion in various places.

Almost walked past this. Opposite side of The Riverwalk. Great detail. Great background view of…read moreChicago skyline! Worth the stop!

This is an amazing piece of work by Taiwanese Artist and Sculptor Ju Ming. It is located in the…read moreAMA Plaza and outdoor seating is offered for individuals to sit and admire and discuss the sculpture of the eleven men cast in Bronze who are dressed in business suits, trench coats and some with umbrellas...obviously as if they were on their way to work in a modern city environment. Upon a close-up inspection recently, I noticed that the eyes were not pronounced and that they seem to be expressionless as the grayness of their cast figures suggest. Almost as if it was just another day going through the same routine- wake up, go to work, eat, sleep---REPEAT. It reminds me in a way of Andy Warhol's Campbells Soup Can-we live from one meal to the next. About the Artist: Ju Ming (1938-) was originally trained as a woodcarver; however, his work evolved into sculpting in bronze in addition to other materials such as styrofoam, stainless steel as well as other mediums. He became well known in Taiwan during the 1970s and later in 1983 in New York City when he had individual exhibition of Living World Series: A Pair of Classical People at the Max Hutchinson Gallery. This piece in particular, is regarded as one of the most important works among the early production of the Living World Series. Ming's Living World Series appears or suggests that his work may evolve from his perception of the world around him; however, he has been quoted as saying that there is no one interpretation or set interpretation designated in his intention to create his sculptures. There are other parts of The Living World Series including "Imprisonment"which has drawn attention to his style of thought provoking sculpture. FYI-This Public Piece of art was purchased by Eagle Holdings, which is the parent group of the Langham Hospitality Group.

I love Ryan Tova Katz murals, and love stumbling upon them at random! I saw this one on her…read moreInstagram the other day but just happened upon it when I was driving down Lawrence. It's definitely made for kids, but I don't care; I love an interactive mural. It has a couple people in silhouette, and then a black umbrella and a bouquet of flowers. You can place your hands such that they look like they're holding those two items. Like I said, it's more scaled for kids, but I couldn't help myself!

Fashion Focus 2008 is Chicago's own fashion week. This week is chalk-full of runway shows, shopping…read moreevents, neighborhood shopping, and educational seminars. It really is one of the very few opportunities Chicago has for the creative minds of fashion to unite, network, socialize, and flaunt their products! Many different organizations & institutions come together to put on the week, such as GenArt, Mayor's Fashion Council, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago fashion schools, local designers & boutiques, etc. It really does involve so many people from around the city & that's why it's such a special & unique week. Everything the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs puts on is free-ranging from runway shows to educational seminars. There is one downfall, but it will be fixed next year-the amount of people attending vs. the amount of seats/open spots in the runway tent. Since the event is free (a rarity in the fashion world) many people attend, so it gets a little chaotic. We're hoping to fix it by next year to ensure seating for those who RSVP. Fashion Focus 2008 ends tomorrow, but check out our website for other fashion-related events, internships, resume postings, and up-and-coming designers. Keep your eye out for next years Fashion Week Chicago & all the fun you can take part in!!

If you are looking up neighborhoods in Chicago for moving or staying during your visit , I'm happy…read moreto tell you to come here! Living : proximity to 3 good public schools and several private schools. 53rd street and 55th street are the more commercial streets , with some businesses along Lake Park. Trick or treating is decent. Visiting: the Sofy and Hyatt place are both comfortable. If you want proximity to U of C and want an air bb, stay closer to 57th street (Woodlawn university , Ellis , Drexel , cottage grove as your cross streets). If you are staying just to not stay downtown but close access to downtown stay between 55-56-57 street station - 47 street on Metra or stay near the 6 bus route. Attractions MSI Lakefront trail Promontory Point Obama's house Obama presidential center and library U of C and its museums Barak and Michelle's first kiss monument 57th Street beach Coffee: my favorites Philz (53 and black stone) Sip n Savor (53/South Hyde Park) Fairground (by u of C) There's a Starbucks in target and a standalone , both on 53rd Food: My favorites Dawn 5 Rabinitos Nella Medici on 57 Cafe 53 Etoo Nandos Peri Peri chicken Jets pizza Valois Pizza capri Cedars Palestine kitchen Small cheval Giordanos Ivd heard good things about Virtue. Hair 57 street salon Cleopatra Transit to downtown Metra 6 bus 2 bus (morning pm rush) 15/55 bus to the Greek line / red line Nice tree lined streets Puppies everywhere Nice green spaces Enjoy

Hyde Park, one of the community areas within the city of Chicago, is one of the more well-known…read moreareas on the south side of Chicago. It's one of the more upper class neighborhoods on the south side. It originated as a Hyde Park Township in the mid-19th century, and was annexed by the City of Chicago. It is one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods, and has been home to many prominent Black residents and celebrities. Perhaps what first brought it to my attention was learning about Leopold and Loeb when I was a teenager growing up in Oregon; not really the best association to have with the Hyde Park-Kenwood area, but there's a lot more to this community than tragic history. Hyde Park is home to a high concentration of higher education institutions, the most prominent being the University of Chicago. In addition are McCormick Theological Seminary, Catholic Theological Union, and the Lutheran School of Theology. It was also the location of the World's Fair 1893, the Columbian Exposition. The Museum of Science and Industry, what was built as the Palace of Fine Arts for the fair, is one of the remaining remnants of that magnificent celebration. I like Hyde Park, and lived there for a few months. It's really densely populated, and has some interesting places to visit and good restaurants. People say the north side is hard to park, but when I was living in Hyde Park it was a constant struggle! There are several parks around here and large ones at that. CTA buses serve Hyde Park, obviously, and there's a Metra route that goes through as well.

Not to be confused with Boozetown, which is really every town these days if we're being honest…read more There are lots of cool neighborhoods in Chicago - and this is one of the very coolest. I love Boystown, and I love how I get molested by guys (not joking) almost every time I'm here in one of the clubs (looking at you Sidetrack). Yes, it probably has one of the best 3 gay clubs I've ever been to in Sidetrack. You don't expect anything to be free in Chicago and if this was New York or LA I really don't think it would be - but here, the best gay club is free and you can go in covered in oil with your body on display like I did and get molested by a lot of ugly people (sorry, cute people don't randomly touch me, just being honest), or dance to some great pop music. It's a tolerant area and it's a loving area and it's a fun area and I can't imagine a much better neighbourhood.