Zoetic Walls Project

If Waterloo is going to be an Arts district, it should probably look like one. At least that was the thinking of Amy Callahan, Executive Director of Arts Collinwood.

Amy has been largely responsible for the new murals that have been popping up all over the Waterloo Arts District. It’s called the Zoetic Walls Project and it is showcasing the work of local, national, and international street artists. Walls are being transformed from bland and underutilized spaces into colorful, thought-provoking works of art. The project was created as a way to help improve the aesthetic of the neighborhood but also as a means of placemaking, showcasing Waterloo as a community where the arts are meant to thrive and be appreciated by all, a collision of fine art and urban living.

The murals have done more than just beautify the urban landscape but also serve as a forum for community engagement.  Amy shared how she was pleasantly surprised about the amount of discussion there has been about the work and is happy to see that community members are excited to join in a conversation to talk about our neighborhood spaces.

But who are these artists leaving their mark all over Waterloo and where are they coming from? The answer to that is that they come from truly all over. Thus far, there has been one international and two national artists who have painted full wall murals. The twelve panels of different woodland creatures painted on the wall at the E. 156th pocket park were all done by local artists. In the next two weeks, three more national artists will be creating works as well as another international artist in July. The artists are being brought in with the help of Chicago-based arts organization Pawn Works who strives to bring street art to the masses, recruiting painters from around the world to make projects like the Zoetic Walls possible.

Walking through the district, you may have a hard time piecing together the theme of the works and how they fit together. You would be right to have such confusion because there is no overarching theme. Amy explained that Arts Collinwood wants the artists to create with the fewest constraints possible. Though there is no intent to offend, the artists creating the murals are given the freedom to express themselves fully which is what street art really is all about. So, for residents who do not like the work, rather than getting angry, join in a dialogue with neighbors! Use the murals as a means to start conversations about the neighborhood. Also remember that art is always changing and the installations may not be permanent.

All over Waterloo faded red brick is being transformed with bright colors, catching the eye of neighborhood residents and visitors alike. The Zoetic Walls Project is helping add vitality to the Waterloo Arts District through aesthetic improvements and the fostering of community discourse. The mix of shades, styles and textures on the walls is as diverse as the community itself. It is the hope of Arts Collinwood that as the number of walls adorned with the work of street artists grow so too will the vitality of the Waterloo arts district as a whole. This is a place where arts are appreciated and thrive and if you weren’t sure, just look at the walls.