Few sights convey urban despair more starkly than a boarded-up storefront. After looting marred neighborhoods around the city this spring, plywood was suddenly everywhere. That gave Pilsen gallery owner Delilah Martinez the idea for the Mural Movement, which has connected dozens of businesses with young Black and brown artists. Their colorful imagery, bearing messages of racial empowerment and social justice, has done more than just camouflage something ugly; it has created remarkable, if ephemeral, bursts of beauty. Read more here.

752 E. 79th St.
“Painting [my friend's son] with the watermelon was taking that powerful symbol back.”
Everett Reynolds

857 W. 87th St.
“The community response to this mural was really cool. People came up, talked to me, gave me free food.”
Langston Allston

2006 E. 87th St.
“I want the community to feel a sense of priority: Reparations first, and keep your mind on that.”
Asteroid Lloyd