Chicago Heights Students To Paint Mural On Old Plank Trail

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — At the City of Chicago Heights’ regular city council meeting Wednesday night, city officials gave an "enthusiastic thumbs up" to a student mural project slated for the underpass along Old Plank Trail in McEldowney Park, Chicago Heights, to be painted at the end of September, according to a news release.

Chicago Heights 7th Ward Alderman Kelli Merrick presented the mural project to the city council during the meeting explaining that 14 students from Marian Catholic and Bloom Township High Schools will be painting the 72-feet wide, 8-feet high piece of public art known as “The Pieces of Us Mural” on Sept. 25 and 26.

“The student artists from both high schools will contribute a unique puzzle piece design for the mural,” Merrick said. “The design of each piece will reflect the things in our community that mean the most to the students or how this community has helped to mold them into the person they are today and who they will be in the future.”

“Community, companionship, compassion, and Chicago Heights pride” are the themes of the mural project championed by Merrick whose daughter, Marion Catholic senior Aaliyah Merrick, is the project’s lead artist.

Mayor Gonzalez praised the mural project.

“The ‘Pieces of Us Mural’ project represents the best in civic pride that Chicago Heights has to offer, and so I want to express my appreciation to Alderman Merrick for championing it,” said Gonzalez. “And it is deeply reassuring that young people, like Aaliyah Merrick, are at the heart of the project, a fact that speaks optimistically about Chicago Heights’ future and its diverse culture.”