On Saturday, Oct. 25th, the West Chicago City Museum hosted an unveiling for a new mural, painted by artist Matt Buko.
The ceremony took place inside the museum at 3 p.m., right after the West Chicago Public Library District’s annual “Trunk or Treat.” Mayor Daniel Bovey, alongside museum director Sara Phalen, gave a brief introduction and run-down of how this mural came to be.
“I’ve always wanted to paint people’s walls,” Buko said.
After being laid off from his job last December, he decided to shoot for the stars when it came to his art career. Luckily for Buko, the first place he sought out worked for him.
“And ever since then, I was like, ‘I’m not turning back. This is all I’m going to do ever again,'” Buko said.
The mural includes bits and pieces of West Chicago’s history, including a train and the four major immigrant flags.
“A lot of people see history in black and white, because we see black and white photos all the time,” Phalen said. “It is amazing when history comes alive in such a colorful, animated way.”
