New Floral Mural, Bench Sculptures Decorate Downer Place In Aurora

AURORA, IL — It may not be springtime, but Aurora is in bloom thanks to a new mural and sculpture garden on Downer Place in the downtown area.

Called "Aurora In Bloom," the mural depicts flowers from in and around Aurora. The blooms adorn the side of a brick building adjacent to five free-standing sculptures, called "Graft," designed by Chicago artist Edra Soto.

The mural, consisting of 15 individual panels, was completed by seven Aurora-based artists: Melissa Celaya, Catalina Diaz, Diana Gomez, Caitlin Hazelton, Lisa Manning, Laura Reyes and Juan Sepulveda.

"This group of artists was incredible," said Manning, the lead artist and owner of Nido Art Studio. "Everybody was totally dedicated and super hard-working. We [painted] in about two and a half weeks."

Before painting, the artists took photos of flora and fauna in and around Aurora, including in their own gardens. Before painting could occur, the images were collaged and digitally projected onto the 5-foot-by-10-foot panels.

The second mural to be unveiled in Aurora this year, the piece is displayed in unison with Graft, a bench design that was championed by Director of Public Art Jen Byrne for its adaptable and accessible features, according to a news release.

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Communications Manager Jon Zaghloul said serving residents and visitors in the downtown area "was a key consideration in moving forward with Soto's design." The style emulates her backyard gallery space, "The Franklin," in Chicago.

"Pulling from local talent to complete the mural also emphasized a community-minded approach to these new installations out of Aurora Public Art, whose long-standing mission seeks to provide an evolving art presence for the residents of the City of Aurora," Zaghloul wrote in the release.