“Aurora in Bloom” is a new mural at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center in downtown Aurora.
Courtesy of the City of Aurora
Giant, cheerful flowers have appeared in downtown Aurora, with a new mural called “Aurora in Bloom.”
Seven artists completed the mural using local flowers. As part of the project, photos of the flowers were digitally projected onto panels, which were then painted.
The artists drew inspiration from the flora and fauna of the city, including those in their own gardens.
Caitlin Hazelton, who began the digital design, said the floral diversity depicted is a symbol of “the fact that it is the people who make a city great,” according to a city press release.
The panels will be displayed alongside a new five-unit sculpture garden created by Chicago-based artist Edra Soto called “GRAFT.”
The panels and sculptures are located on the west side of the city’s David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.
The muralists are Aurora residents: Melissa Celaya, Catalina Diaz, Diana Gomez, Hazelton, Lisa Manning, Laura Reyes and Juan Sepulveda.
Hazelton worked with Manning to plan the colors and techniques for the large-scale transfer.
“I love collaboration and community art. I never imagined I would be part of such a large mural for the city I live in and love. I am so grateful for this opportunity as an artist, resident and educator,” said Hazelton.
“This group of artists was incredible. Everyone was totally dedicated and super hardworking. We got it done (painted in about two and a half weeks),” said Manning, lead artist and owner of Nido Art Studio, in a press release.
It is the second mural the city has unveiled this year.
The first mural depicts five blues musicians in Mundy Park. It was created to honor the town’s historic connection to blues music through the 1937-38 Bluebird label recording sessions at the former Leland Hotel.
The projects were commissioned by Aurora Public Art, a city department that oversees the Pierce Center and more than 40 pieces of public art, including murals, sculptures and utility box murals. The department also operates a gallery in the Pierce Center.
For more information about Aurora’s public arts program, visit aurora-il.org/1953/About-Public-Arts.
