Indian Land Dancing mural

Indian Land Dancing mural, 2009

Tracy Van Duinen, Todd Osborne and Cynthia Weiss

Foster Avenue underpass at Lake Shore Drive

In August 2009,  Mayor Richard M. Daley with Alderman Mary Ann Smith of the 48^th Ward,  dedicated a 3,400-square-foot bricolage. Smith conceived the idea for the project after being inspired by American Indian art on a trip to Alaska. Led by Chicago Public Art Group artists Tracy Van Duinen, Todd Osborne and Cynthia Weiss, the artwork was a collaboration of artists, community members and youthful volunteers, including children from the After School Matters program.

Entitled Indian Land Dancing, it conveys the history of Indians in Chicago and took approximately six weeks to create. It is the largest direct-application mosaic in the city and the only public art piece designed by Native Americans. It includes mirrored tiles, painted and high relief pieces. CPAG collaborated with Smith on the creation of other bricolage art walls at Lake Shore Drive underpasses at Bryn Mawr and Lawrence Avenues.