By Sherry Avila
Sherry talked to Paul Dowling the Executive Director of Irish Community Services about a new mural that is on the outside wall of the kitchen facing West.
Q. How did the idea of the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS outside of the IAHC building originate?
A. Because of planned work on the parking lots in recent years, we were unable to a do much planting or other work in the community garden, but we still wanted to do something meaningful for the space even if we weren't able to actually do any gardening out there!
Q. Where are the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS located on the outside of the IAHC building
A. The mosaic is right in our community garden on the west side of the building next to the kitchen and the outside doors to the Mayfair Theater.
Q. Why are the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS located outside on that particular part of the IAHC building?
A. The mosaic is part of a community garden that we started working out about 4 years ago so that's why it's located where it is. In years to come we're hoping to increase the amount of planting we can do in the garden and use the space to host more gatherings and programs. But we need more volunteers!
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Q. Where did you get the Funding for the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS project?
A. Given that we were unable to do our regular planned programming in the garden for about three years, we used the funds that would otherwise have been spent on plants, equipment, and supplies, to pay for the mural costs little by little.
Q. Where did you find the official trained artists for the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS project? And, who are they?
A. We worked with a wonderful nonprofit arts organization called Greenstar Movement. Several years ago, I was a volunteer with an organization that worked with Greenstar to complete a beautiful mural and that's how I learned about them and their work. You can find out more about Greenstar here: https://greenstarmovement.org/
Q. What groups and companies were involved in the creation of the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS?
A. Irish Community Services managed the project. The Greenstar Movement built the majority of the mosaic but we did host three community build days where community members were invited to help build the pieces. There were two community listening sessions where we asked people what they would like to see represented in the mosaic, and the Irish American Heritage Center was supportive of creating a home for the mosaic.
Q. What materials were used for the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS?
A. This is a mosaic so it's made from tiles that are adhered to special plasterboard panels. The tiles come from Italy!
Q. Where did you get the materials that were used for the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS?
A. Greenstar Movement handles all of the materials—they are the experts!
Q. Who and how were the Irish subjects chosen for each section of the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS?
A. We hosted two community listening sessions where we asked the community what they would like to see represented. Unsurprisingly, people wanted to see the preforming arts represented, as well as Irish words, images from Ireland, and Celtic designs. Some of the panels are more symbolic of Irish values - such as mother jones and the panel that shows hands supporting one another.
Q. What are the Irish subjects and the symbolic meaning of each section of the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS?
A. Two of the panels are very direct representations of Irish cultural practices featuring an Irish dancer, instruments, and Irish words.
One panel features a figurative depiction of Ireland including a round tower and fields separated by stone walls.
One panel features Mother Jones and symbolizes the positive impact the Irish have had on this country.
One panel features the Celtic tree of life stylized to look like the Irish Community Services logo.
And the final panel shows hands embraced in support symbolizing the support and care of the Irish community to both our own people and the many others who make up this country. This panel also includes a candle which represents the candle that is lit and placed in the window in the home of the President of Ireland that is a beacon to Irish people and communities all around the world.
Q. Who were IAHC and ICS staff and volunteers involved in the creation of the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS?
A. ICS staff worked to manage this project—Paul Dowling and Kathleen Howlett mostly—scheduling community listening session and community build days. The heritage center graciously supported the project by offering a home for the mosaic. Community members participated in the listening sessions and build days. It was a community effort!
Q. How long did it take to create the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS located on the IAHC building?
A. From first reaching out to Greenstar to grouting the finished mosaic, it took about 15 months. This included community consultation, design, building, and installation.
Q. What were the procedure/steps of the assembly, creation, and the installation of the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS?
A. Community Listening sessions to learn what we wanted represented in the mosaic.
Greenstar did two initial designs. One was selected and tweaked and modified.
Greenstar did the outlining and much of the build at their studio in West Loop.
The panels were brough to the IAHC for the community build days. We held three.
The panels were screwed to the wall outside and the last of the tiling work was completed.
The mosaic was grouted.
Q. How did you move/transfer the IRISH MURAL MOSAIC sections from the 3rd floor to the outside?
A. The mosaic was created on relatively light plasterboard panels. The outlining work and much of the build was done at Greenstar Movements headquarters. Then we did the community build days in Room 302 before the panels were moved downstairs and mounted on the wall with the finishing touches of tile work completed when the mosaic was on actually on the building.
Q. How were the IRISH MURAL MOSAIC sections attached to the brick walls?
A. The tiles are adhered to panels using a bonding putty. The panels are screwed to the wall. Grouting was the last step and that was done when all the panels were fixed to the wall and the tiling completed.
Q. When is the official ribbon cutting/opening reception for the IRISH MURAL MOSAICS?
A.We don't know.
New Mosiac Mural Adorns West Kitchen Wall at Irish American Heritage Center
