Arts & Entertainment

Naperville Century Walk Empowers Students Creativity

One of many projects funded through Naperville Century Walk is Way Finding art at the Jackson Avenue parking garage. Students will complete artworks on the two remaining floors this summer.

As some students cheer the end of the school year, a small group will be taking on an art project, which will give them the experience of working with a seasoned artist while creating something the community can enjoy for years to come.

Timm Etters, a well-known area muralist and artist, recently offered his thanks for the support of the Naperville community and Naperville Century Walk for allowing students from area schools to learn what it’s like to be a working artist.

Etters was one of several speakers at a recent preview reception held by the Century Walk Corporation at the . The event allowed the organization to share updates on art projects that have been completed, are underway or which will begin in the coming year.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As the project coordinator for the Way Finding art project at the city of Naperville’s garage located on Jackson Avenue, Etters worked with local students and helped to coordinate the summer art projects. 

The Way Finding project, a partnership of Naperville Century Walk, the , KidsMatter, and , began in 2010, with Last year, and  high schools participated.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Etters took the students through all the project’s stages from planning the work, to painting, completion and celebration. 

The final two schools to participate this summer will be and Metea Valley High Schools.

“Thank you for your support of the arts,” Etters said. “Philanthropists, along with supporters like you are who we need to keep bringing our art to so many people.”

He said that projects like this help the community become connected to art, while allowing students to see the community values their work.

The student artists who participate are asked to paint a theme based on one of the 40 developmental assets that KidsMatter has determined are necessary for children to grow up healthy, caring and responsible. Those assets range from constructive use of time to having a sense of purpose. 

Many of the students grew up knowing Etters work from the murals found within area school, and he said they were excited to work with him one-on-one.

Some students spent 45 hours on their pieces, while other spent up to 178 hours working to complete the artwork, he said. At the completion of the project, Etters asked the students to write up a description of their artwork and an essay to share all that they learned over the course of the summer.

“The most rewarding aspect was teaching the students,” he said.

Learn more about Naperville Century Walk, its art and download an application to take an art tour through Naperville with its mobile website.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here