Tell CTA Officials What Art You’d Like To See At Pilsen’s 18th Street Pink Line Station

PILSEN — Neighbors can weigh in on what art they’d like to see added to the 18th Street Pink Line station during a community meeting Tuesday evening.

The meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday at Benito Juarez Community Academy, 2150 S. Laflin St. Attendees will meet with the seven artists chosen last summer to submit design proposals, according to a CTA news release. The community’s input will guide the artists’ proposals for new artwork at the station.

This meeting is the start of the second phase of a public art program for the station, CTA officials said.

Credit: Provided/Chicago Transit Authority

The first phase was restoring and preserving the original platform art designed by Francisco Mendoza, Gallery 37 students and the National Museum of Mexican Art in 1998.

In 2020, the CTA sought out an artist to touch up the mural. That work was completed in 2021 by Roberto Valadez, officials said.

The scope, budget and timeline of the second phase of artwork hasn’t been determined yet, but the chosen design will have to “reflect the original vision” of Mendoza’s existing work, according to the CTA.

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