Wabash Arts Corridor Announces Public Art Project to Honor Suffrage Leaders

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In conjunction with the Chicago Womxn’s Suffrage Tribute Committee, the new murals will celebrate women and the work of local activists in obtaining the right to vote and the modern struggle for equality.

The Wabash Arts Corridor has announced a new public art project and funding campaign to honor Chicago women’s suffrage leaders.

In conjunction with the Chicago Womxn’s Suffrage Tribute Committee, the new murals will celebrate women and the work of local activists in obtaining the right to vote and the modern struggle for equality.

On the Wings of Change, created by artist Jasmina Cazacu, will be located on the 33 Ida B. Wells Drive building and tell the story of women’s activism through portraiture. A sister mural, created by artist Dorian Sylvain and situated perpendicular on the University Center, will be a text-based accompaniment to the suffrage portrait mural and will reference the struggle for equality that continues to this day.

This project will be the first large-scale public history tribute in the city of Chicago to celebrate the local suffragists who participated in the decades-long fight for women’s inclusion in our democracy. It will feature ten of the movement’s leaders and a representation of the future of female leadership.

“The Suffrage murals will be situated in the highest visibility area of the Wabash Arts Corridor and the South Loop, where over 10,000 pedestrians and commuters pass every day, on foot, by car, and most importantly on the L train that has the best eye-level view of all. This mural-covered corner is one of the most widely photographed public art destinations in the city, serving as a backdrop to numerous TV and film projects,” said Meg Duguid, Chief Curator of the Wabash Arts Corridor.

The murals are slated for installation in summer of 2021. Donations for the project are being accepted through June 11 - the anniversary of Illinois women gaining the right to vote.

For more information about the project, visit the WAC website.