Artist Anthony Lewellen Completed Lake View Mural

A massive new mural now decorates the exterior of the Nourishing Hope building in Chicago.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Philanthropy

Artist Anthony Lewellen Completed Lake View Mural

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Artist Anthony Lewellen completed a large-scale mural in the summer of 2025 on the Nourishing Hope building in the Lake View neighborhood. The project was initiated by the organization's CEO to bring color and inspiration to the facility.

Why it matters

The mural project serves as a visual landmark for Nourishing Hope, an organization that has provided food and social services since 1970. It reflects a creative approach to institutional branding and community engagement.

The mural measures 80 feet wide by 26 feet high, adding a massive visual element to the site. The facility currently supports a workforce of 60 employees alongside 7,000 volunteers.

The players

Anthony Lewellen

He is the artist who utilized spray paint to create the large-scale mural for the facility.

Nourishing Hope

Formerly known as The People's Pantry of Lake View, this organization provides community food services.

The details

Using spray paint, artist Anthony Lewellen designed the mural to feature a radial pattern that cleverly disguises the non-centered letter O in the word Hope. The installation is located behind the building at 3945 N. Sheridan Road, just east of the Sheridan CTA Red Line stop.

Timeline

  1. 1970: Nourishing Hope opened as The People's Pantry.

  2. 2016: The organization opened the Sheridan Market.

  3. Summer 2025: The artist painted the mural.

Market Landscape

This mural installation marks the latest phase of development for the site, following the 2016 opening of the Sheridan Market. It positions the organization as a cultural staple in the Lake View neighborhood beyond its primary food service role.

Visitors to the Sheridan CTA Red Line stop can now view the artwork located just to the east. The mural provides an updated aesthetic for those frequently visiting the facility for food or volunteer services.

The takeaway

Public art projects can transform functional community spaces into recognized landmarks. Organizations looking to refresh their presence may find that murals serve as cost-effective ways to increase neighborhood visibility.

Further reading

For more on local community initiatives, visit Philanthropy.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Sun-Times.

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Do you believe public murals significantly improve the atmosphere and character of your local community?