"I Am Amazing", Anthony Overton Chicago Public School

Here is an interior mural project I painted this summer at Anthony Overton Public School, in Bronzeville. It is an image of President-Elect Obama looking at the amazing accomplishments of Overton's students, and a tribute to Bronzeville 47th Street Arts and Cultural District. It is located in the main hallway where two corridors intersect. It is an installation, creating a space for the students to experience. I started this project on June 15, 2008, completed it on August 24,2008. The Local School Council is in such an uproar about this project, they wanted it painted over. One parent asked me "What if he doesn't win?" My response was he has already won. Even though the school lost its arts funding, couldn't finish paying for this project, it was important for me to finish it. I stood on my own integrity to not just walk off this project. 

I wanted the students to be amazed on the first day of school. There was no dedication!

 The LSC didn't want Ms. Luster as their principal nor anything to do with her school beautification project, it seems she didn't have their final approval. This was lead by a "Community At Large" LSC member. Painful? Very! Now that President-Elect Obama has won this historic election, do you think that the school will acknowledge the gift that was given to them this summer? Oh, I ranted about this misuse of arts funding, misuse of an arts professional's time, and talent, and the unprofessional, and abusive behavior of a small-minded group of parents, staff, community members. For the most part, all of us artists had to remember where we were, 47th & Indiana, and the mindset of folks that live around the school. 

 I even sponsored a "RANT-A-Thon", at Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center, 1060 E. 47th street (four blocks from President-Elect Obama's house), to give artists a place to exhibit politically charged art, and a platform to talk about "Issues That Matter". No, I didn't rant about this issue, I just hope the students felt prideful that they have one of the first murals in their school that depicts this historic moment.

GOTNEXT Election Tour Closing Reception

Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center, Host: Heidi Hickman November 4, 2008 6pm 10pm Closing Reception. Join us for an evening of election watching, and celebration as Barack Obama rocks the vote in Illinois. Featured Artist: Ray Noland, "CRO" presents a "Traveling Art Exhibition" of Barack Obama-inspired works from stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Austin, Atlanta, and Chicago. Phantom Gallery Artist: Debra McLendon, Sherman Beck, Benyamin Maccabee, Tamasha Williamson, and Alpha Bruton.