In 2012, community artist, Joann Podkul Murphy, decided to make artistic use of cumbersome, unattractive concrete roadblock devices, known as "Jersey Barriers,"  which had been emplaced in her neighborhood to control vehicular traffic between the residential community and neighboring Calumet Park.   Long a magnet for graffiti, the barriers had been a constant depressing eyesore to residents and visitors.

Thus, Joann -- a retired Chicago Public School System high school teacher/principal -- designed mural art to transform the ugly obstacles into attractive, informative "Infocades" to capture the attention of neighboring Taylor Elementary School classes who use the route to Calumet Park, which their classes often frequent. 

This page features the "Infocade" murals that Joann created -- with the permission of the 10th Ward Alderman -- to enhance -- and inform -- residents and visitors about the natural and political environment in which they live. 

From "Jersey Barriers" to "Infocades" -- Barricades as a Muralist's Canvases

Infocade 1: "Neighbor Photocade"(99th Street between Avenues H and G, the westernmost side of these particular Jersey barriers)

This westernmost line of barriers was designed to provide depictions of the 99th Street block residents, on what Joann called the "Neighbor Photocade."  When the final paint coat was completed and dried, she outlined, in pencil, images from numerous photos taken during the block's annual block party, with the expectation that family members would paint their images to complete the work.   While that had been stated during one of the block parties, those outlines have not yet been filled in.
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(We learned from that experience that casual agreement needs to be solidified with an action plan.)

BEFORE:

Base Coat:

FINAL COAT PREPARATION:

Outlining photo images on the final coat:

Infocade 2: "270: The Electoral College"

This "Infocade" was constructed on the easternmost set of Jersey Barriers on  99th Street, facing Avenue G

Infocade 3: "Meet Lake Michigan"

This infocade is painted on the reverse side of the Electoral College infocade, at 99th Street and Avenue G.    Lifelong experience as resident, student, and educator convinced Joann that most visitors did not comprehend the vastness of the great lake bordering their neighborhood.  Thus, "Meet Lake Michigan" greets pedestrian visitors to Calumet Park just before they do "meet Lake Michigan." 😊 

Infocade 4: 98th Street and Avenue G:

Joann chose to create this Infocade mural for the same reasons that she created those on 99th Street, between Avenues H and G, but also to express her appreciation of her lifelong relationship with the park.

The prepared, blank, canvas

Laying it out

Joann's dedication of the Infocade to neighborhood children -- including her late siblings

Infocade 5: "The Cal-'uve-Met River" 99th Street, on east side of westernmost Jersey barrier

Given that many whom Joann queried about the location of "The Calumet River" had no idea of the answer, Joann decided that it might help to provide visual cues.  Thus, this "Infocade," completed in June. 2018.

www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=Pr2RAyySbLEVIDEOS:
2012:
"Ed Here"  Gives "Infocade" Facelift to  Street Barricade: https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=Pr2RAyySbLE


2018: From  Jersey Barriers  to  Infocades -- Barricades as a Muralist's Canvases: https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=A3t4dVLap9Q

CancelSave changes061518 Infocade Updates: 
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=bKT1mQPKpHU