CDA Choice Neighborhoods Grant Public Art Projects

Public Art in the Near North Side: Celebrating Community and Creativity

The Near North Side neighborhoods of Columbus Square, Old North St. Louis, St. Louis Place, Carr Square, and Downtown West are transforming into hubs of creativity and connection through a vibrant public art initiative. Funded by a Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this placemaking effort is a key component of the Preservation Square affordable housing redevelopment. With additional support from the Metropolitan Sewer District's Project Clear program, which brings stormwater mitigation to Carr Square through rain gardens, this initiative showcases how art and infrastructure can work hand-in-hand to uplift communities.

Guided by the Near North Side Choice Public Art Advisory Group, composed of representatives from all five neighborhoods, this project features a diverse collection of works selected through a competitive process. Highlights include sculptures in a pocket park, a stunning mural on the Loretta Hall City Park basketball court, mosaic panels for the park's comfort station, unique neighborhood-inspired banners on light poles, colorful park-to-park crosswalk designs by three artists, and two bus shelters wrapped in translucent public art. These installations reflect the creativity of the artists and the spirit of the community they serve.

Explore the images and artist bios below to learn more about the visionaries behind this transformative project!