Downtown Evanston, Ill. is looking a bit brighter as Fifield Realty Corp., the owner of Evanston luxury apartment community E2, has announced the completion of a mural across the south facade of the building, visible from Oak Avenue, University Place and Maple Avenue. The mural is by Thomas Melvin, an artist on Chicago’s North Side who has specialized in the design and execution of original murals and decorative painting for more than 40 years.
Titled “‘Eee-tu’ (What Redwing called to Drake) 1890 Maple Evanston, Illinois,” the mural features a modern design that offers a broad portrait of the city of Evanston. According to Melvin, the mural turns the once dreary alley into a welcome destination and represents the city’s colorful setting.
“’Eee-tu’ is an abstract portrait of Evanston, with grasses and water as the frames to represent the prairie to the west and Lake Michigan to the east,” said Melvin. “Observers might recognize the Grosse Point Lighthouse and city’s overall character, but they will be drawn to the blend of vibrant colors, perhaps the foliage, cattails and birds at street level, and the geometry of the structure as a canvas, which provided a unique backdrop for the painting.”
Melvin’s work can be seen all over Chicago and the United States, and includes the City Science Mural at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago; the 24-panel Mississippi River Tales Mural along the Mississippi River floodwall in historic downtown Cape Girardeau, Mo.; and murals on the west and east stairwells of the Lake Forest Library, a historic landmark in Lake Forest, Ill.
“We wanted the south facade of E2 to come alive, so we commissioned an artist whose work we knew would reflect Evanston’s one-of-a-kind setting and energy,” said Randy Fifield, chairwoman of Fifield Realty Corp. “Thomas Melvin offered the best vision for our goal, and his custom mural is Fifield’s gift to downtown Evanston and the residents of E2.”
About Fifield Companies:
Fifield Cos. is one of the nation’s premier developers of urban office towers and luxury high-rise rental apartments. Established in 1977, Fifield has earned a reputation for creating superb living and office environments in some of the country’s most renowned locations, including Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Honolulu. Fifield has completed more than 70 projects in the United States worth more than $7 billion. For more information, visit www.fifieldco.com.
About Thomas Melvin:
Located in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood, Thomas Melvin Painting Studio specializes in the design and execution of original murals and all manner of decorative painting. Its 33 years in business include murals and signage for commercial and residential customers, and projects for museums, schools, and public bodies. www.http://thomasmelvin.com/
“‘Eee-tu’ (What Redwing called to Drake) 1890 Maple Evanston Illinois,” the vibrant new mural by Chicago-based artist Thomas Melvin, located at E2 Apartments in Evanston.
(photo credit: Steve Somen)