First public murals highlighting beauty of Croatia in U.S. Midwest unveiled
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
New murals unveiled at Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago (Photo: Supplied)
The first public murals in the Midwest region of the U.S. to depict the natural beauty of Croatia was commemorated with an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday May 31.
The four murals were painted over the last two months and now adorn the north-facing exterior wall of the Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago on Devon Avenue.
Artist Ivan Mikan in front of his Dubrovnik mural (Photo: Supplied)
Each mural was hand-painted by Croatian-American artist Ivan Mikan who was inspired to capture and highlight the natural and architectural wonders of some of Croatia’s key geographies and cities including the capital, Zagreb and Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic Sea. Each mural is 12 feet tall.
Ribbon cutting with artists and dignitaries (Photo credit: On Devon)
The new murals (Photo: Supplied)
Funding for the murals was provided by Devon Ave. Special Service Area 43, one of 54 local taxing districts in the City of Chicago that provides destination marketing, special events, and neighborhood beautification efforts including litter pickup, snow removal, decorative lighting, landscaping, and public art. SSA43 has been active since 2004 and includes Devon Avenue from Damen Avenue to Kedzie Avenue and Western Avenue from Arthur Avenue to Granville Avenue.
Alderman Silverstein (Photo credit: On Devon)
SCENES FROM CROATIA FEATURED IN FOUR MURALS
(from east to west on the exterior façade of the Croatian Cultural Center)
Mural #1: Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb, Croatia (12 ft. x 20 ft.)
The Mirogoj cemetery is one of Zagreb’s most notable and scenic landmarks, known as a Gothic wonderland where over 300,000 souls are buried. Visitors can spend a whole day admiring the ivy-lined arches, famous sculptures, ornate arcades, impressive tombstones and endless memorials laden with candles and flowers year-round. The tree-lined cemetery is a haven of tranquility and a resting place for members of all religious groups.
Mirogoj (Photo: Supplied)
Mural #2: Krka Waterfalls, southern Croatia (12 ft. x 20 ft.)
The Krka Waterfalls are located in the Krka National Park and are one of the most impressive waterfalls in Croatia, carved out by nature with an impressive series of terraces made of travertine (a type of limestone). A small, orange-tiled stone home, typical of the architecture in the region, can be seen as part of the landscape in the bottom right corner.
Krka National Park (Photo: Supplied)
Mural #3: Cobblestone Charm & Serenity (12 ft. x 20 ft.)
This mural depicts the charm and serenity of taking a stroll down a typical cobblestone street along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It is a tribute to combining urban influences of tourism and commerce with the love of nature, the preservation of natural stones and distinct architecture and incorporating it into the routines of daily life.
Cobblestone charm (Photo: Supplied)
Mural #4: Dubrovnik, Pearl of the Adriatic (southern Croatia) (12 ft. x 52 ft.)
This mural captures the heart of Dubrovnik, its “Old City”, the famous walls which date back to the 16th century and can be seen in scenes of the Game of Thrones and other popular movies and reality tv shows. Inspired by the distinctive architecture, the artist chose to depict a scene of the sun setting over the beautiful town on the Adriatic, capturing the orange rooftops. The mural also incorporates the picturesque pines, cypress, and palm trees that grow along the tree-lined coastal towns.
Dubrovnik (Photo: Supplied)
Dubrovnik (Photo: Supplied)
Dubrovnik (Photo: Supplied)
About the Artist
Ivan “John” Mikan is a Croatian-American from the Rogers Park/Edgewater neighborhood in Chicago. He has been painting since he was a child. He participated in Chicago’s Gallery 37, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Education from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Some of Mikan’s other works can be seen at Blessed Alojzije Stepinac Church, located on the corner of Devon and Ridge Avenues in Rogers Park, where he serves the Croatian Community as an Archdiocese of Chicago Deacon. Mikan is a certified ISA arborist and works as a north short territory district manager for Territory for Winkler Tree and Lawn Care. He currently lives in the Glenview area with his wife, Lili, and their four children. For more information, visit Ivan Mikan Facebook.
Artist Ivan Mikan (Photo credit: On Devon)
About The Rogers Park Business Alliance
Rogers Park Business Alliance is a nonprofit organization that has served Chicago’s diverse Rogers Park neighborhood for 30 years. RPBA works to cultivate and sustain a thriving economic environment in Rogers Park, serving businesses and residents with a variety of public events and business initiatives. RPBA programs include the GROW/PROGRESANDO entrepreneurial training program, the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Rogers Park Business Alliance, annual Best of Rogers Park awards, Chalk Howard Street Festival, Taco Crawl, and the Glenwood Sunday Market farmers market. For more information, visit RPBA.org.
(Photo credit: On Devon)
About Devon Ave SSA43
Devon Avenue Special Service Area (SSA) #43 is a local taxing district that includes Devon Avenue from Damen Avenue to Kedzie Avenue and Western Avenue from Arthur Avenue to Granville Avenue. The SSA has provided programs and services in the commercial district since 2004, including destination marketing, special events, and neighborhood beautification efforts including litter pickup, snow removal, decorative lighting, landscaping, and public art. One of over 50 SSA districts in the City of Chicago, the SSA is overseen by a group of mayoral appointed business and property owners within the district, who recommend the annual services and budget, with Rogers Park Business Alliance serving as the SSA’s designated service provider organization. For more information, visit OnDevon.org.
Ivan Mikan with his family (Photo: Supplied)
About The Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago
The Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago is a non-for-profit organization which has served the Croatian community in the Chicagoland area since 1974. The center’s mission is to promote the Croatian culture and its heritage by supporting cultural, religious, educational, athletic and social organizations and events, including Croatian-language School “Hrvatska Skola” and Croatian Vines “Hrvatska Loza” Tambura and Dance Group. The venue is open for private and public use, by members and non-members. For more information, visit www.croatianculturalcenterchicago.com.
