KANKAKEE – The United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties will end its 21-week Equity Challenge with the unveiling of a community-led mural. As a result of the current 270 participant challenge, 120 reside in Bourbonnais where the community equity mural will be born – bringing Bourbonnais its first outdoor mural. United Way is pleased to partner with the Village of Bourbonnais on the community engagement project and encourages public participation.
Beginning with the launch of the Community Equity Mural Design Contest, artists are invited to submit original artwork for the equity mural through June 11th.
“This mural will not only symbolize taking steps to a more equitable community, but also leave a lasting mark as a reminder to keep the conversation going,” explained Fiana Comer, United Way Community Impact Manager. The Equity Challenge-inspired mural will represent the community, have an equity focus and create a positive and interactive piece to engage not only Bourbonnais, but Kankakee County.
The Community Equity Mural Committee will review all submissions following the deadline, and the top three designs will be presented online for community voting June 16th through June 18th via the Facebook event page. The design with the most votes will be the winning design for the outdoor mural. The mural location, along with the winning artist and design, will be announced at a Juneteenth event on June 19th.
Event details will be released at a later date.
“The Village of Bourbonnais is excited to work with United Way and incorporate art into our growing community,” stated Village of Bourbonnais Marketing & Public Engagement Manager, Lindy Casey. “We welcome all artists, residents, businesses, visitors and volunteers to be a part of this project. Submit, vote, paint, donate…you don’t have to be an artist to get involved. We hope this is the first of many mural opportunities here in Bourbonnais.”
Design contest guidelines, project donations, mural volunteers and businesses interested in hosting a mural at their location may visit myunitedway.org/equity. For more details, individuals can reach out to Fiana Comer, United Way’s Community Impact
Manager at fiana@myunitedway.org.
