Help Tell South Chicago's Story.
A Community Built This.
A new permanent mural is being created for the SACRED Apartments in South Chicago.
The artwork will celebrate the people who have made South Chicago what it is—from longtime families and workers to neighborhood traditions, celebrations, schools, churches, businesses, and everyday life.
Whether your photo was taken last week or fifty years ago, your memories could become part of this public artwork.
What We're Looking For
Individual Portraits
- Current residents
- Past residents
- Children
- Seniors
- Workers
- Business owners
- Artists
- Veterans
- Teachers
- Faith leaders
Families
- Family reunions
- Holiday photos
- Generations
- Birthday parties
- Backyard gatherings
Community Life
- Schools
- Churches
- Sports
- Parades
- Festivals
- Block clubs
- Neighborhood businesses
- Community meetings
- Local landmarks
Historic Photos
- Commercial Avenue
- Steel mills
- Neighborhood celebrations
- Old businesses
- Street scenes
- Family albums
Help Build the Mural
Submit Digital photos
This is a paragraph. Click edit and enter your own text. You can make changes like making the text bold, underline or italic. This is a great place for you to tell your clients more about your story and to describe the type of photographer you are. You can come back at any time to make more changes.
Get Your Portrait Taken
Free professional portraits.
Everyone receives a digital copy.
Perfect if you don't have a recent photograph.
July 18 | 11 AM–3 PM
South Chicago Sidewalk Sale
89th & Commercial
Nominate Someone
Know someone who should be represented?
Nominate them—even if you don't have a photograph.
We'll do our best to help locate one.
have your photo scanned
I can help preserve your memories. Bring your printed photographs to one of my pop-up scanning events, where I'll create a high-resolution digital copy while you wait so your originals never leave your hands.
STAY TUNED !
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Have Questions? Email Vanessa
USE THE FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
FAQ
Will every photo be included?
I truly hope to represent as many people as possible. Depending on the number of submissions we receive, it may not be possible to include every individual photo in the final mural. My goal is to represent as many people, families, and stories as I can so that the mural reflects the incredible diversity of South Chicago.
Who owns the photos?
You do! Submitting your photographs does not transfer ownership or copyright. You retain all rights to your images. By submitting them, you are simply giving permission for them to be considered for use in this mural project and related project promotion.
Will my photo be edited?
Some minor adjustments may be necessary to prepare images for a large-scale mural. This could include cropping, color correction, brightness adjustments, dust or scratch cleanup, or improving image quality when possible. The finished mural will also feature a graphic design overlay that ties all of the photographs together. These edits are intended only to help your image reproduce well at a large scale—your photograph will remain true to the original, and its integrity will always be respected.
Can I submit more than one photo?
Absolutely! Please submit as many photographs as you'd like us to consider. The more stories we receive, the richer the mural can become.
Can I submit black-and-white photos?
Yes! We welcome photographs from every era. Black-and-white images, color photographs, and even faded prints are all encouraged.
Can I submit damaged or old photographs?
Maybe! Many older or damaged photographs can still be scanned or photographed professionally and restored enough for use. If you're unsure, send me a picture of the photo or bring it to one of our scanning events. I'll do my best to determine whether it can be used.
Can I submit cellphone photos?
Yes! Cellphone photos are welcome. If you're photographing an older printed photograph, try to take the picture in good lighting without glare. If you'd rather not worry about it, bring the original print to one of our scanning events and I'll create a high-quality digital copy for you.
Will I get my original photographs back?
Yes. If you bring printed photographs to one of our scanning events, your originals will be returned to you immediately after they are scanned.
Will I know if my photo is selected?
Because of the number of submissions we anticipate receiving, we may not be able to notify everyone individually. We encourage everyone to attend the mural unveiling to see the finished artwork and discover the many stories that make up South Chicago. You will get an email notifying you of the event!
Can I nominate someone even if I don't have a photograph?
Yes! If there's someone you believe should be represented, we'd love to hear about them. While we can't guarantee we'll be able to locate every photograph, we'll do our best to connect with families, organizations, and community members to find one. If you have any way to help us reach them, please let us know—that greatly increases the chances of including them.
