The City of West Chicago is proud to announce its participation in the WAVES OF DUPAGE: Ukiyo-e Public Art Project, a collaborative countywide initiative celebrating culture, creativity, and community through public art. A special West Chicago Public Art Celebration will be held on Friday, June 13, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Gallery 200, located at 103 W. Washington Street in downtown. Remarks from community and project representatives will begin at 5:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The centerpiece of the celebration is the installation of a new mural by Naperville-based artist Rich Lo, who was commissioned by the College of DuPage, McAninch Arts Center, and Cleve Carney Museum of Art to create large-scale works inspired by the traditional Japanese art style of ukiyo-e. West Chicago’s mural features the West Chicago Community High School, a landmark that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.
About the WAVES OF DUPAGE Project
In coordination with the 2025 exhibition Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, the College of DuPage and its partners have launched the WAVES OF DUPAGE: Ukiyo-e Public Art Project. This initiative paired communities across DuPage County with artist Rich Lo, who has created original artworks in the ukiyo-e style, a form of traditional Japanese woodblock printing known for its bold lines, natural themes, and expressive storytelling. Each mural highlights a significant location from the community it represents and will be temporarily installed in public spaces throughout DuPage County.
The West Chicago mural is printed on a removable vinyl adhesive and will be installed on a storefront window at Gallery 200, a local artist cooperative that serves as a hub for community engagement and artistic expression.
This project is made possible with support from the City of West Chicago’s Cultural Arts Commission, whose mission is to promote and celebrate the arts in the community, as well as Gallery 200 for serving as the host venue and the June 13 celebration.
All of the murals created for this initiative will also be featured at the Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World exhibition, running from May 31 through September 21, 2025, at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Learn more about this exciting initiative at https://www.theccma.org/hokusai.
This project reflects West Chicago’s ongoing commitment to celebrating its heritage and supporting public art as a tool for connection and placemaking.