In a vibrant attempt to revitalize a section of Hubbard Street in West Town, Chicago artist James Sturnfield rallied local artists to paint fresh murals on the Union Pacific retaining walls. This area, historically known for its colorful murals, has fallen victim to neglect and tagging, prompting Sturnfield and his fellow artists to take action.
“We’re just trying to show the city and community that something can be done a lot better than leaving these walls the way they are,” Sturnfield stated.
Artists including Wingchow, Roams, AJ Ainscough, Senkoe, and Viril the Mouse descended upon the site for a weekend of creativity, bringing a burst of color to the once-dilapidated panels. The new artwork features a mix of nature-inspired designs, including birds, flowers, and even a whale leaping from the ocean, echoing the environmental themes that defined the original murals painted in the 1970s.
However, a dispute has emerged regarding the legality of these new artworks on the railroad’s property. Levar Hoard, who claims to be the curator of the Hubbard Street walls, insists that Sturnfield and the other artists did not have permission to paint there. He has threatened legal action, asserting that a contract he holds gives him the authority to curate the mural collection in perpetuity.
In contrast, representatives from Union Pacific have stated that Hoard lacks such authority, revealing that his permission to paint on the property was revoked four years ago. While Union Pacific declined to elaborate on the reasons for the termination, they made it clear that they will not support Hoard’s claims.
Hoard argues that the cancellation of his agreement was related to the expansion of Hubbard Street, and not concerning the designated areas with the historic murals. Sturnfield has openly admitted that he did not obtain permission from Union Pacific before executing the new murals, leaving the future of the artworks uncertain.
“Union Pacific supports art in communities, and we have a process in place to evaluate and approve any proposed murals that involve Union Pacific property. Union Pacific retains sole authority over this process,” stated Robynn Tysver, a spokeswoman for the railroad. She also confirmed the termination of Hoard’s prior agreement in 2021.
The ongoing dispute raises significant questions about the ownership and responsibility for public art. Chantal Healey, a former executive director of the Chicago Public Art Group, pointed out how deeply public art resonates with local communities. She stressed the sense of pride and ownership that residents develop in relation to such artworks, underlining the vital role art plays in community identity and economic stimulation.
Artist Ricardo Alonzo initiated the Hubbard Street murals in the 1970s, marking the beginning of an artistic tradition that would see contributions from numerous other artists over the decades. Significant mural installations occurred in 2000 and 2019, the latter being largely overseen by Hoard as part of the B_Line Project. Hoard’s vision was to transform Hubbard Street into an artistic destination, akin to an outdoor Art Institute.
Alonzo had previously endorsed Hoard’s efforts to maintain and expand the murals, yet the landscape of mural curation seems to be shifting once again. Hoard maintains that while the B_Line Project is no longer active, his agreement with Alonzo still stands, supposedly allowing him to curate the murals originally set forth by the early artists. However, he refrained from releasing a copy of this contract.
On the other hand, Sturnfield expressed a commitment to work collaboratively with Union Pacific, hoping to legitimize the contributions made by the artists and secure any necessary permissions moving forward. He emphasized that the murals were a product of a community effort, bringing together artists from various backgrounds, even those who may not always see eye-to-eye.
“We did this as a community effort. This wasn’t one person or one group. Some people who really don’t like each other put politics aside to come out and paint next to each other,” Sturnfield remarked. His hope is to replenish the artistic vitality of Hubbard Street and restore its reputation as a vibrant community space.
image source from：chicago
