Client: Center On Halsted
Scope: Custom Architectural Artwork
Center on Halsted (COH) is the Midwest's most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing inclusiveness and the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland. Designed and built by global architecture firm, Gensler, and located in the heart of the Lakeview neighborhood, more than 1,000 community members visit the Center each day.
COH works hard to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all of its visitors. Advancing this mission was the decision to create two transgender bathrooms, one male-identified and the other female-identified, for the second floor of the building. It was my honor to create large floor-to-ceiling digital murals that celebrate the diversity and beauty of the Center's patrons for these spaces. Sprinkled with inspiring quotes of reassurance and positivity, my intention for this project was to contribute a colorful and affirming message of joy, sensitivity, respect, beauty and hope to all who view it.
UPDATE: Since these murals were created, COH has clarified their policy, which now reads, "As part of our vision of providing supporting and inclusive environments, our restrooms are open to everyone regardless of gender. Everyone should be able to use the restroom of their choice, free of abuse and harassment of any kind. In those instances where an individual would prefer to use gendered restrooms, that option exists on the first floor of the building. There are also Family Bathrooms with a diaper stations on the second and third floors."
Male-Identified Bathroom
34'8"w x 8'h (gray areas indicate support structures and partition)
Female-Identified Bathroom
34'8"w x 8'h (gray area indicates partition)
Bathrooms (Pre-Installation)
