Homewood Boasts Largest Collection of Haas Murals in the World
The completion of Richard Haas' recent work on the side of GoodSpeed Cycles in Homewood marks the eleventh mural of a twelve piece series. Work on the final piece will begin mid April.
It’s official. Homewood has the largest collection of Richard Haas murals in the world, according to a release from the village.
The world-renown artist has been working with the village since the early 1980s to create the eleven murals now adorning the sides of various Homewood businesses. The most recent can be seen on the side of GoodSpeed Cycles at 2125 W 183rd Street. It depicts the history of the bicycle. Work on a final, twelfth mural is scheduled to begin Monday, April 15.
"Homewood has a special place in my 35 years of doing public work," artist Richard Haas said. “In Homewood, I was given the freedom to design and execute a new series of works that tells an even larger story, not only about Homewood's history but about the region in general.”
Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld says the village specifically chose Haas for his realistic style and historic vision.
"Homewood is a great home for the arts," said Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld. “Residents have given us very positive feedback about seeing the blank canvas of the side of a building become transformed into a work of art."
All murals are funded through village TIF funds.
Pallas Bowers
9:53 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Wonderful!
These murals are a charming and welcomed addition to the community.
June Whitehand
12:30 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Charming perhaps, but how much of our tax dollars have been poured into these projects? Can we quantify any return on those dollars?
Jack
4:40 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Not everything has a financial reimbursment, but these murals, I believe, improve the aesthetics of the business community, making it a more pleasurable place to shop.
Dinkum
5:28 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
I took pictures of these and have them as wallpaper on my computer.
I'm often critical of governmental expenditures, but this one was a winner.
Thanks for doing the story Ryan and thank you Richard for the wonderful work. Great!