Evanston has a rich cultural arts community filled with artist studios, galleries, performance, music venues, public art, festivals and events.
The City of Evanston believes that public art connects us emotionally and socially to our neighborhoods and each other. We encourage art that adds to the aesthetics of our community and that embodies inclusion, engagement and interaction.
The Encounter
Artist: Hubertus von der Goltz
Artists are visual historians, so public art tells the community what's really happening now. It reflects and preserves the times.
Thomas 'Detour' Evans
Explorer
An 8-foot bronze bust of Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable, Chicago's founder, can be found in downtown Evanston at the corner of Church Street and Orrington Avenue, near the Evanston Public Library. Created by sculptor Erik Blome, a former Evanston resident, the piece will be on display through the end of 2024.
Read more about Explorer here.
Photo Credit: Erik Blome
Ten Thousand Ripples
The Ten Thousand Ripples project by Changing Worlds is a city-wide installation of Emerging Buddha sculpture as symbols of peace, understanding, and tolerance. The sculptures, constructed by local artist and peace activist Indira F. Johnson, are 300-pounds made of fiberglass and resin and filled with sand.
Artist: Indira Johnson
Photo Credit: Laura Simmons
Indira Freida Johnson: Ten Thousand Ripples STAMPS Distinguished Artists
‘Art can be around you’: A deeper look at Evanston sculptures’ history and messages The Daily Northwestern, 2022
The Avenue of the Righteous
The Avenue of the Righteous is a public exhibition dedicated to those who saved and protected Jews during the Holocaust. Names are inscribed on rocks to honor 38 individuals.
Visit the Avenue at Ingraham Park, next to the Evanston Civic Center. Learn more about the project and read the stories of the righteous here.
Photo Credit: Lori Swerdlow
Murals by Teresa Parod
Local artist Teresa Parod has painted over 24 murals in Evanston. Her outdoor paintings began during the pandemic and have continued to this day. You can find her work in alleys on garage doors, walls on the sides of buildings and fences throughout the city. See more of her multimedia work on her website.
Visit a searchable map of Teresa's murals here.
Photo Credit: Teresa Parod