The City of West Chicago is taking part in the Waves of DuPage: Ukiyo-e Public Art Project. This countywide project celebrates culture, creativity, and community through public art. A special West Chicago Public Art Celebration will be held on Friday, June 13 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Gallery 200 in downtown.
The event is free and open to the public. Remarks from community and project representatives will begin at 5:00 p.m.
The main feature of the celebration is a new mural by Naperville-based artist Rich Lo. The College of DuPage, McAninch Arts Center, and Cleve Carney Museum of Art commissioned the large-scale work.
It is inspired by the traditional Japanese art style of ukiyo-e. West Chicago’s mural shows the West Chicago Community High School, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. The Waves of DuPage: Ukiyo-e Public Art Project is happening along with the 2025 exhibition Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World.
The College of DuPage and its partners started the project. It matched communities across DuPage County with artist Rich Lo. He created original artworks in the ukiyo-e style.
Japanese art inspires local mural
This is a form of traditional Japanese woodblock printing known for its bold lines, natural themes, and expressive storytelling. Each mural highlights an important location from the community it represents.
The murals will be temporarily installed in public spaces throughout DuPage County. The West Chicago mural is printed on a removable vinyl adhesive. It will be installed on a storefront window at Gallery 200.
Gallery 200 is a local artist cooperative that serves as a hub for community engagement and artistic expression. The City of West Chicago’s Cultural Arts Commission and Gallery 200 made this project possible. The Cultural Arts Commission’s mission is to promote and celebrate the arts in the community.
Gallery 200 is serving as the host venue for the June 13 celebration. All of the murals created for this project will also be featured at the Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World exhibition. The exhibition runs from May 31 through September 21, 2025 at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
This project shows West Chicago’s ongoing commitment to celebrating its heritage and supporting public art as a tool for connection and placemaking.
