The Riverside Arts Center’s Murals
RAC Mural by Collin van der Sluijs. Completed July, 2022
In 2022, The Riverside Arts Center’s Board of Directors began a campaign to refresh the building with a new mural. Their goal was to bring a vibrant new look to the building, and offer a new focal point for the downtown business district. They acted quickly, working closely with the Village of Riverside, and with input from area public arts experts. The new mural replaced the existing, faded mural, creating an anchor piece for Riverside's burgeoning "Quincy Street Arts District".
The design includes birds and plant life, highlighting the importance of Riverside as a critical flyway for migrating birds. The design features a red-headed woodpecker - a bird nearing endangerment. The artwork is transformative. It is a gift to the Riverside community, and a draw for visitors to downtown Riverside.
RAC founder Ruth Freeark was joined by RAC board members and founders, posed in front of the origianl RAC mural in this news clipping from Suburban Life Citizen of October 1994 featuring a crew of painters who created the original mural.
Photo of the original RAC mural at 32 East Quincy Street west-facing wall, painted by volunteers in 1993 when the Arts Center was founded.
Members of the Riverside Arts Center’s Board of Directors with Executive Director Liz Chilsen during the painting of the mural in 2022.
Collin van der Sluijs’ original mural sketch proposal
In 2022, The Village of Riverside and individual donors supported The Riverside Arts Center (RAC) to bring internationally acclaimed mural artist Collin van der Sluijs to Riverside to paint a vibrant new mural on our building in the downtown business district.
RAC sponsored this Public Art Initiative with Support from the Village of Riverside’s Facade Improvement Program and with additional funds from generous individual Donors.
THANK YOU!
Below are images and information from our 2022 appeal, successfully funded with support of the local community. The quick response to this campaign is a keen indication of the value the Riverside Community places on the work of the Riverside Arts Center within the Village of Riverside and beyond. Thank you!
bring international acclaim to riverside
HELP FUND THE MURAL
Mural by Collin van der Sluijs in Chicago off Michigan Avenue, now covered by new construction.
Wall painting by Collin van der Sluijs, the Netherlands
Who is the artist? Collin van der Sluijs is a renowned painter and illustrator from Maastricht, The Netherlands, where he lives and works. He is widely recognized for his extraordinary dream-like depictions of everyday life, and Collin’s work has been published and shown in galleries across the world, including two murals in the Chicago area, which have garnered international exposure and acclaim.
When did painting start? With the project fully funded, Mr. Van der Sluijs began painting on July 10, 2022 and concluded on July 15, 2022.
How can I get more involved with RAC? Donate today!
The Riverside Arts Center is supported by donations from generous people within the community and beyond!
Donations of any amount support our continuing work bringing art and creativity to our community.
Contact Executive Director Liz Chilsen for more opportunities to support our work.
A 2022 view of RAC’s original mural on the building at 32 East Quincy Street, painted by volunteers in 1993 when the Arts Center was founded