The Silo Pathways Countryside Public Art Tour is the Legacy Project of NCI ARTworks. The organization is committed to facilitating the development of public art and the establishment of a tourism attraction drawing visitors to the towns and villages of La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties of Illinois.
The mural is completed!
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North Central Illinois ARTworks, the City of Mendota, granting agencies, and generous donors are working together to realize the "Raise the Depot" mural project in Mendota, Illinois.
“Mendota Union Depot,” the mural, has been installed on the south side of Triple Service, Inc., located at 801 Monroe Street, Mendota, and features a 10-foot-wide, fenced walkway. The mural is constructed of hand-painted aluminum sheets, mounted on a steel support grid. Artist Ray Paseka and his team at Westclox Studios, Inc. have used archival information found at the Union Depot Railroad Museum to capture the details of the structure. The half-scale painting of the Mendota Union Depot is an impressive 127 feet long and more than 50 feet high. Sitting slightly in front of the building will be a painting of a period locomotive. When night falls, translucent window panes will create the illusion of lighting from within. Thanks to generous donors and grants, this mural will grace the Mendota business district for decades to come. Supporters at the $100+ level will receive a custom window cling to identify you or your company as taking part in “Raising the Depot.” Supporters at the $2,500+ level will receive a beautiful “Raising the Depot” commemorative plaque to display at their home or company. Supporters at the $7,500+ level will be named on the permanent, interactive placard at the site of the mural. This is the sign promoted in the Silo Pathways Countryside Public Art Tour. Memorial/Honorable Donations of $10,000 or more will entitle donor(s) to include the name of an individual or company to be honored in the plaza area in front of the mural. Only a few such opportunities are available. Call Michelle Wade at Triple Service, Inc. (815.343.3615), or email nciartworks@nciartworks.com to schedule a meeting with our coordinators to discuss this option. All donations are payable to “NCI ARTworks.” Our regional arts agency is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council. Gifts are maintained in a restricted fund for Silo Pathways Countryside Public Art Tour, and a small portion of each donation will be used to maintain this work of art as part of the regional art tourism pathway. Donate online at North Central Illinois ARTworks: www.nciartworks.com, PO Box 1251, LaSalle, IL 61301 email:nciartworks@nciartworks.com or phone 815.228.1253 Funding for the Mendota Union Depot Mural was provided in part by the Illinois Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, BNSF Railway, The Illini Valley Association of Relators, and the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation. |
Michelle Wade of Triple Service Inc., leads the project and has partnered with the nonprofit regional arts agency North Central Illinois ARTworks (NCI ARTworks) to facilitate the creation of this important mural celebrating Mendota’s rich history as a railroad hub. In addition, Wade formed an eight-member volunteer Citizens Committee to raise awareness, gather information about railroading, fund raise, and seek grant funding.
“When people ask why we are doing this project, the answer is very simple,” said Wade. “It’s because I–and the many current and former Mendota residents who support the mural project with their donations–love our community and appreciate the station’s historic significance and stunning turn-of-the-century architecture. It is a gift to the community and beyond.” She added that she expects this impressive, historically accurate mural to bring rural tourism and the consequent economic benefits of rural tourism to restaurants, shops and other businesses in Mendota.
Located in the center of a business district that is actively being re-developed by the City of Mendota, the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, and an active group of dedicated citizens, the Mendota Union Depot mural is meant to become an iconic work of art and a stimulator of economic development by inspiring new businesses to open nearby as well as attract the attention of proud residents, railroad enthusiasts, and new visitors to Mendota.
NCI ARTworks is a regional arts agency, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the arts community in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties through artistic collaboration, educational outreach, and art space development. Its mission also is to create venues which support public and private education, community events, economic development, and cultural tourism. ARTworks’ vision is to foster communication between artists, arts organizations, and arts educators. NCI ARTworks is located in the Westclox ARTworks Center in the west wing of the Westclox building in Peru. The organization is supported, in part, by the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information visit www.nciartworks.com.
“When people ask why we are doing this project, the answer is very simple,” said Wade. “It’s because I–and the many current and former Mendota residents who support the mural project with their donations–love our community and appreciate the station’s historic significance and stunning turn-of-the-century architecture. It is a gift to the community and beyond.” She added that she expects this impressive, historically accurate mural to bring rural tourism and the consequent economic benefits of rural tourism to restaurants, shops and other businesses in Mendota.
Located in the center of a business district that is actively being re-developed by the City of Mendota, the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, and an active group of dedicated citizens, the Mendota Union Depot mural is meant to become an iconic work of art and a stimulator of economic development by inspiring new businesses to open nearby as well as attract the attention of proud residents, railroad enthusiasts, and new visitors to Mendota.
NCI ARTworks is a regional arts agency, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the arts community in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties through artistic collaboration, educational outreach, and art space development. Its mission also is to create venues which support public and private education, community events, economic development, and cultural tourism. ARTworks’ vision is to foster communication between artists, arts organizations, and arts educators. NCI ARTworks is located in the Westclox ARTworks Center in the west wing of the Westclox building in Peru. The organization is supported, in part, by the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information visit www.nciartworks.com.
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