THE MURAL WAS A PROJECT OF ENSBC.

A MURAL CELEBRATING BIRDS AND PICTURING THREE BIRDS THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND HABITAT LOSS.

The ENSBC mural "Birds of Concern" is up as of September 20, 2021 on the east wall of Maya Papaya on the northwest corner of Green Bay Road and Central Street in Evanston!

Our mural artist is Tyrue "Slang" Jones, a well-known muralist in the Chicago area.

From Tyrue Slang Jones - Murals and Art | Wescover

 A self-taught artist, Tyrue "Slang" Jones has been cultivating and innovating ideas reflected through his artwork for over 25  years.  His wide array of styles, ranging from graffiti to fine art, has gained attention around the globe.

His signature style of "figurative Graffiti," recognized both nationally and internationally, combines flowing shapes and abstracted letterforms with traditional figure painting. 

Roger Gastman, author of The History of American Graffiti, says Slang single-handedly defines the Chicago graffiti movement, For30 years he has been a nonstop force pushing the limits of his art and teaching the history of the culture that he helped to create."

He has worked as an established graffiti artist, fine artist, graphic designer, and professional television animator.  His clients have included: Warner ?Bros. Animation Studios, Startoons, Animation Studios, Walt Disney Interative, General Mills, Universal Music, Def Jam, Interscope, Allstate, Leo Burnett and Viacom (MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon).

The fusing of different genres of art has given his work an unmistakable originality and flair that is constantly evolving."

Our mural follows a tradition that began in New York City in 2014 and came to Chicago in 2016, called the Audubon Mural Project.

In this ENSBC project, art and science come together to highlight the beauty of birds that people in the ENSBC area are likely to see, particularly during spring and fall migration.  Ecology and ornithology merge with art.  We hope to use the mural as a tangible display of the importance of birds.  Along with the mural, we have produced a bookmark with a photo of the mural, explaining the plight of birds today in light of habitat loss and climate change, and what can be done locally. This project is in accord with Evanston’s Climate Action Resilience Plan (CARP).

In a contest among ENSBC members for the favorite bird of concern to recommend for the muralist to choose among, these five birds were the top vote-getters:

Red-headed woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blackburnian Warbler

American Kestrel

Black-crowned Night Heron

In the artist's final rendering, the Red-headed woodpecker, Blackburnian Warbler and American Kestrel are pictured.

ENSBC was awarded a $1000 grant by the Evanston Arts Council, to match the contribution from us. Additional support has come from the Central Street business community.