Yes And Mural

Whose crazy idea was it to paint a mural in Chicago in May? That’s what Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs of Greetings Tour must have thought as they worked overnight on the Yes And Mural. Chicago weather, as they quickly learned, could be brutal. They dodged rain and wind, working odd hours to complete this vibrant piece. They even slept in their RV, Honeybear, parked right next to the mural. It was parked in the lot next to where the Yes And Mural now stands. The train tracks overhead provided a less-than-ideal soundtrack to their sleep. But the neighborhood characters who stopped to chat made it all worthwhile. The Yes And Mural, though completed later in 2020, shares a lineage with their 2015 “Greetings from Chicago” mural just a few miles south. That earlier mural, bursting with Chicago icons, became a local sensation. It even landed on the Chicago Wikipedia page and was featured on television and in magazines. Back at the Yes And Mural, the artists chose a baby blue background. It was a nod to the Chicago flag and a happy accident that proved perfect for photos. The Greetings Tour artists, with roots in graffiti and street art, found a new rhythm with these larger projects. Honeybear, their RV, became their mobile studio, providing kitchen and power right on site. Victor’s Dickies jumpsuit, his painting uniform since 2014, became a witness to these community creations. From CTA workers to local news stations, the Yes And Mural attracted an audience as diverse as the city itself. Even a car crash caused by a distracted driver became a part of the mural’s story. The Yes And Mural, although a later addition to the neighborhood’s art scene, embodies the spirit of the Greetings Tour. It’s a testament to community engagement, creative adaptation, and the power of public art.