Jim Cuno, president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago and After School Matters Board of Directors member, unveils the teen artwork commissioned for the Bank of America Mural Wall. Finalists from left to right: finalists Davis and Melissa Don, commissioned teen Layla Ehsan and finalist Tavena Longoria.
After School Matters participant Layla Ehsan, of the Lincoln Square neighborhood, portrayed the "Arts in Chicagoland" theme for a mural to adorn the Bank of America Mural Wall adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway. Layla's piece, which displays characters from various Chicagoland icons, will be painted on the 8,600 square-foot mural beginning this week. The mural will be displayed through June 2010.
"Art in Chicago": The After School Matters
Chicago Wall Mural
Bank of America and After School Matters jointly announced that 16-year-old Layla Ehsan is the Chicago teen artist whose chosen mural design will adorn the iconic Chicago Wall mural space adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway. Layla, a resident of the Lincoln Square neighborhood, created a colorful, vibrant demonstration of the "Arts in Chicagoland" theme while showing the positive impact of arts and culture in Chicago.
February 1, 2010
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| The "Arts in Chicago" design by After School Matters teen Layla Ehsan continues to take shape on the Chicago Mural alongside the Kennedy Expressway at North Ashland Ave. and West Armitage Ave. | |
December 29, 2009
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| The "Arts in Chicago" design by After School Matters teen Layla Ehsan continues to take shape on the South wall of the Chicago Mural at North Ashland Ave. and West Armitage Ave. | |
December 22, 2009
- The painting crew has begun work on the South-facing wall of the Chicago Mural. When complete, the "Arts in Chicago" design by After School Matters teen artist Layla Ehsan will cover 8,600 square feet of space on three walls.
- Be sure to see the Advertising Age "GoodWorks" article about the After School Matters & Bank of America Mural project!
Advertising Age: Bank of America Showcases Teen's Artwork
Bank of America and After School Matters Unveil Selection in Chicago Mural Design Challenge
Three other students were named runner-up finalists in the program. Tavena Longoria, from the Belmont-Cragin neighborhood, and siblings Davis and Melissa Don, both 18-year-olds from the Westlawn neighborhood, along with Layla, all received monetary awards as acknowledgment of their efforts.
Layla's mural design will be featured on the three walls of the building, which spans 8,600 square feet and is located near North Ashland and West Armitage Avenues in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. The wall is seen by an estimated 400,000 people daily. Painting of the mural is slated to begin on December 14.
 Chicago First Lady and After School Matters Founder and Chair Maggie Daley expressed her pride in After School Matters teen participants at the unveiling of the commissioned teen artwork that will adorn the Bank of America Mural Wall along the Kennedy Expressway. |
 16-year-old Layla Ehsan, an After School Matters participant, stands before her painting, "Arts in Chicagoland." Out of 60 submissions, Layla's piece was commissioned to adorn the Bank of America Mural Wall alongside the Kennedy Expressway. |
In early 2010, Bank of America's iconic Chicago Wall mural space adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway, will undergo a transformation to reflect the creative spirit of Chicago teens. Teen artists from After School Matters' visual arts programs have been invited to interpret the theme "Art in Chicago" into a mural design. Up to three student designs will be commissioned and showcased on three walls, spanning a total of 8,600 square feet.
Each day, approximately 400,000 people pass by the Bank of America Chicago Wall, located near North Ashland and West Armitage Avenues. After School Matters is grateful to receive this opportunity to showcase the creativity and inspiration of Chicago's teens. Not only will the mural echo the teens' pride in their hometown, but it will stand as a testament to the potential and promise of young people who are given a safe and structured environment to discover and develop their talents.
After School Matters and Bank of America hope you enjoy watching the process of transforming the Chicago Wall in the coming months. We invite you to learn more about After School Matters and ask that you consider supporting our efforts to expand access to high-quality, meaningful after-school opportunities for Chicago teens.
Please check back often for updates about the project. We'll post photos of the mural designs submitted by students, announce the winning entries and provide progress photos of the Chicago Wall as the murals are painted.
You can also follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AftrSchoolMttrs.
For ten years, Bank of America has supported a number of programs coordinated by After School Matters that benefit the young men and women of Chicagoland. Bank of America's ongoing support of After School Matters' programs confirms the Bank's commitment to building healthy communities through arts and the betterment of Chicago's youth population. Funding programs, like those presented by After School Matters, aligns with Bank of America's 10-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations across the country.