LaSalle Street Mural Project in Aurora moves to reality

By Marissa Amoni – 

They could be Aurora’s power couple, but they don’t technically live in Aurora. Rebekah Axtell and Josh Schultz might reside a bit south of Aurora in Oswego, but their love for Aurora and its residents runs deep.
Axtell and Schultz are currently working on a project that could be part of the city for decades to come. Schultz, an artist, and Axtell, a marketing professional, put together the LaSalle Street Mural Project last Fall, and are getting to see the project come to reality.
In mid-August, the couple, along with a creative team of artists, started sketching their mural designs, and worked with a veteran sign-painter on part of the project.
“Rebekah Axtell, Keri Borkowicz, and Joshua Schultz, have been working so hard for a whole year in preparation for this project,” said team artist Jacqueline Fowler.
Fowler, an Aurora artist, said that she was recently asked to join the team. “Keri and I created prototypes of the sunflowers. Creative director Rebekah and Joshua Schultz decided everything went smoothly and they gave their feedback and we chose a little bit of each of our work! “The painting has begun! Can’t wait to paint more tomorrow!!!,” Fowler wrote on a Facebook post.
Axtell added that grapes will be next. A grape vine and trellis are part of the ever-evolving design. The design was approved last Fall as part of the city-funded mural grant that goes through the Aurora Public Art Commission process.
Axtell and Schultz have been careful to include historical considerations on the LaSalle Street building that was at one time Pierpont Grocery at 77 S. LaSalle Street. Most recently, some recall it as Castle Keep.
“Local legend and veteran sign-painter, Pat Finley of Finley Signs, worked hard in the heat on the Historic Aurora sign for the LaSalle mural project,” Schultz wrote on social media.
The eight-foot by 10-foot sign honors the old Pierpont Grocery sign that hanged in the same place near the top of the building.
Meanwhile, Schultz worked hard on his final mock-up of the 1922 Chevy delivery truck with the vintage Oatman’s milk logo on the same side of the building. The truck, as well as the sunflowers and grapes, are being hand-painted on the brick, while the Historic Aurora sign was mounted to the exterior.
Axtell said the sign was initially to be painted directly on the building, but potential maintenance issues and the angle of the road on Benton Street made it a challenge with a ladder or a standard scissor lift. So the mural team worked with city crews to mount the sign to the building’s exterior. Axtell added that the sign should last much longer because of it.
In hopes to establish a budget for mural maintenance, Axtell set up a Public Art Coalition of Fox River Valley fund through Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley for future maintenance needs on this and/or other murals.
She said the fund can be used to raise funds for new projects.

“It’s just a token, really, but a seed has been planted,” Axtell said.
Marissa Amoni is the event coordinator for Aurora Downtown, a nonprofit of downtown business and property owners that serves Special Service Area #One. The group is working with Aurora Public Art Commission on painted utility boxes in downtown Aurora. Visit Aurora Downtown on Facebook, or www.auroradowntown.org for the latest on collaborative art projects.