There was a lot of buzz when the long-awaited Bloomingdale Trail (AKA The 606) opened in June on the city’s northwest side. Tremendous vision, planning and resources went into the design and implementation of the trail, but a common refrain from those involved is that the trail is meant to evolve the way Chicago neighborhoods do. 

“The integration of art, artists, and ‘arts thinking’ into the re-design of the Bloomingdale Line forms the core of The 606 Arts program and establishes a new model for public art and infrastructure reuse,” says lead artist Frances Whitehead. “The Arts program converts an artifact of Chicago’s industrial heritage into a laboratory for new creative practices...Reflecting the grassroots vision that The 606 become a ‘Living Work of Art’.” 

To become a part of future art projects visit www.the606.org

Image at top of page: On the 606 Trail: Nino “TSEL” Rodriguez’s graffiti mural spelling out the street artist’s name, “TSEL” with an Aztec serpent above. The piece is a combination of mixed street art colors and tribal elements. Most of TSEL’s work combines his passions and cultural background.