A mural recognizing deceased River Forest residents has taken shape along Central Avenue, thanks to The Little Bits Workshop.
Liita Forsyth, proprietor of craft studio The Little Bits Workshop in River Forest, said murals had been done in that spot before — butterflies and flowers were painted there about five years ago — and it was time for something fresh.
About 25 children 8 to 12 years old with The Little Bits Workshop’s public art camp worked on the mural from July 18-22.
“We call it the ‘Good Guerrilla Artists,’ ” Forsyth said.
Forsyth said large-scale, black-and-white “Andy Warhol-type” portraits of notable River Foresters — Trailside Museum curator Virginia Moe, radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, American diplomat Anne Smedinghoff and Mars founder Franklin Mars — went up along the railway embankment between Park Avenue and the bridge, just south of village offices.
Eight portraits, each within a 40-by-50-inch “frame” on the concrete wall, have been completed, with space for several more to come. Forsyth said workshop staff will “just go and pick at” the rest of the sketched portraits. Bright colors fill the alternating frames, to add some vibrancy to the space.
“We had no idea how much we would get done, and I think we were impressed with how much we got done,” Forsyth said. “We did it in such a way that kids could do it and feel successful. It’s basically a history wall.”
Jean Bacom, a River Forest mother who assists Forsyth with projects from time to time, and whose 9-year-old daughter has taken various programs through The Little Bits Workshop, said street art provides the children with a fun opportunity to share a message with the community.
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“I think Liita is also teaching them about really caring about what they’re doing,” Bacom said.
While adults took care of details like eyes, noses and mouths, the children were able to round out the other areas of the portraits.
“I think one of the underlying missions at the workshop — all our projects are real,” Forsyth said. “If grown-ups can do a mural, why can’t kids do it? It’s empowerment.”
Forsyth said she’s taking suggestions for other famous River Foresters to feature on the wall. For more information, visit www.thelittlebitsworkshop.com.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.