Chicago students gain life lessons through collaborative projects with artists
by: Erin McElroy
Posted: Jan 15, 2025 / 05:34 PM CST
There’s textbook lessons and then life lessons. Hundreds of Chicago Public School students are getting the latter through an innovative program that pairs them with working Chicago artists.
Artists in Public Schools is a collaborative program where professional artists work alongside CPS students, helping them share their own storylines through art. The end result are beautifully, diverse and layered murals that reflect the uniqueness of the students that made them.
Haerim Lee has worked with Namaste Charter School for two years as part of the program. She set aside her professional installations at the Art Institute to be involved with the students.
“The beautiful thing about making murals is they see themselves, right?” she said. “They see themselves in the public and bring the part of pride, right? Collective pride”
“To us at Namaste, having this partnership means the world because our students feel safe, feel comfortable and feel seen,” Namaste Charter School Principal Rocio Tovar said.
Professional photographer Suzette Bross came up with the idea of Artists in Public Schools seven years ago. Since then, more than 80 CPS schools and professional artists have participated in the program.
“It just makes me so happy to see artists doing the work, giving back … being able to help out in a public school,” Bross said.
The vibrant artwork brightens the halls while giving students a sense of belonging, while representing the community.
Artists in Public Schools is subsidized almost entirely on donations.