SAIC Student Design Selected for Kennedy Expressway Wall Mural

CHICAGO, March 21—Familiar Chicago images of the city flag, the Chicago River and architectural landmarks in big bold colors reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein's Pop Art style will soon be on display on Bank of America's Kennedy Expressway Wall Mural.

Bank of America, the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) announced today the SAIC student whose chosen mural design will adorn the mural space adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway this spring and summer. Adam Horrigan, a native of Grand Island, N.Y., who is pursuing a post-baccalaureate certificate in visual communication design, created a colorful, vibrant demonstration that embraces familiar Chicago scenes and the emotional nature of Lichtenstein's work.

Two other students were named runner-up finalists in the program. Tracy Lee, a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with emphasis in visual communications, and Ting Zhou, a first-year student in SAIC's Master of Fine Arts Studio program. Both students and Horrigan received monetary awards as acknowledgment of their efforts.

Students from SAIC were recently asked to create original artwork that is a tribute to Chicago and in the style of Pop Art. A selection committee, comprised of representatives from the three partnering organizations, the Estate of Roy Lichtenstein and advertising agency BBDO, met last week to review submissions for the commission.

"Adam's use of vivid iconic Chicago imagery in his art submission truly pops and celebrates the greatness of our city," said Tim Maloney, Illinois president, Bank of America. "Bank of America is proud of our long-standing partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This unique collaboration has encouraged aspiring new artists, which demonstrates our commitment to supporting the arts. Our fostering of art education and new cultural experiences helps strengthen the economic and social health of our local communities."

Horrigan's mural design will be featured on the three walls of the building, which spans 8,600 square feet and is located near North Ashland and West Armitage Avenues in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. The wall, seen by an estimated 400,000 people daily, currently displays a placeholder to give the public a "teaser" of what is to come and directs them to bankofamerica.com/chicago to learn more about the program. Painters are starting to work on the wall.

"For more than 100 years, the Art Institute of Chicago has inspired artists from around the world and right next door, at the School of the Art Institute," said Douglas Druick, president, and Eloise W. Martin, director of the Art Institute. "The mural inspired by "Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective" is the latest chapter in this mutually productive and creative relationship. With this project, Bank of America, the School of the Art Institute and the Art Institute have shown, on a grand scale, the living tradition of inspiration in the visual arts and have truly woven contemporary art into the fabric of urban life."

"Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective" is the first scholarly assessment of the full scope and breadth of the foremost Pop artist's career since his death in 1997. Bank of America is the global sponsor of the exhibit, which will be on display at the Art Institute of Chicago from May 16 to Sept. 13, with subsequent stops in Washington, D.C., London and Paris.

"Our students responded impressively to this monumental task," said Walter Massey, president, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. "The winning selection is an excellent representation of the fine work created each day by our 3,200 students, from 53 countries and across the nation, studying here in the heart of Chicago."

Updates on the program, including announcements, and videos and photos of the mural's progress, will be available online at bankofamerica.com/chicago, and also disseminated via Twitter (@BofA_Community) and Facebook.

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