New America 250 Mural to Celebrate Batavia's Contributions to Nation

Public invited to mural unveiling Sept. 12 at Batavia City Hall
BATAVIA, Ill. – The City of Batavia and Water Street Studios Public Art Initiative will unveil a new mural celebrating Batavia’s role in American history from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 12, at Batavia City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave.
 
Created by artist Marty Gniech, “Batavia’s Industrial Contributions to America” commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The mural illustrates how Batavia’s industry, craftsmanship, innovation and scientific discovery connected the community to defining moments in the nation’s history.
The mural explores six themes:

• The Newton Wagon Company’s role in America’s westward expansion
• Batavia limestone used to build and rebuild the Midwest, including Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871
• The Campana Company’s contributions to modern advertising
• Batavia’s history as the “Windmill Capital of the World”
• Local aerospace manufacturing and its connection to America’s journey to the moon
• The curiosity, creativity and discoveries of future generations

The project was supported by an Illinois America 250 Public Art Grant awarded to the Water Street Studios Public Art Initiative. The Illinois Arts Council, in partnership with the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Humanities, awarded more than $325,000 for 22 public art projects across Illinois. The projects commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and highlight the state’s diverse communities, histories and cultural heritage.
The Batavia Depot Museum provided historical expertise and guidance for the mural.
The unveiling celebration will include live music by A Brass Act, featuring members of the Batavia Community Band, and a children’s craft activity. The event is free and open to the public.
Event details
America 250 mural unveiling
10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 12
Batavia City Hall
100 N. Island Ave.
Batavia, IL 60510
 
Batavia Public Art Initiative is a subcommittee of Water Street Studios that promotes public art to enhance spaces and engage the community, as well as providing opportunities to advance local artists. Learn more at waterstreetstudios.org/public-art.
 
Batavia is located 35 miles west of Chicago along the banks of the Fox River. Settled in the 1830s, Batavia earned the nickname ‘The Windmill City’ when it was the windmill manufacturing capital of the world at the turn of the 20^th Century. Batavia is home to more than 1,200 businesses, including Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory, the U.S. Headquarters of Aldi Inc, and Suncast Corporation. Batavia’s historic charm, excellent school system, and unparalleled recreational and shopping amenities make it a great place to live, work and play for its over 26,000 residents.

A detail from one of the panels in the "Batavia's Industrial Contibutions to America" mural commemorating America 250.


Artist Marty Gneish's design mockup for the "Batavia's Industrial Contributions to America" mural commemorating America 250. Courtesy of Water Street Studios