In 2016 Sandra Steinbrecher photographed two major public art initiatives:  the murals in the Wabash Arts Corridor installed during Columbia College's Big Walls 2016 Street Art Festival and the Gathering Spaces Project of the Burnham Wildlife Corridor along Chicago's South Lakefront.  Photographed over the span of several months, these projects showcase the remarkable work of the artists and community organizations who teamed up to create pieces that celebrate the arts, culture, community and nature.  view public art gallery

Wabash Arts Corridor Big Walls 2016
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In 2013, Columbia College Chicago launched the Wabash Arts Corridor to bring street art to the South Loop. It was the bright idea and inspiration of Mark Kelly, former VP for Student Success at the College and now Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for the city of Chicago. “This is an incredible cultural district that no one has ever recognized,” he said in The Chicagoist, in April, 2016. “The WAC saw this transformation using street art and installations and media to bring the district to life and then the idea itself would be a way to bring all of our neighbors together.”

Now, over 40 murals can be found on Wabash Avenue, from Van Buren Street to Roosevelt Road and from Michigan Avenue to State Street. In May 2016, 17 new murals were installed in just a few weeks by local and international artists, for Columbia’s Big Walls street art festival.

Sandra Steinbrecher photographed the installation, artists and finished murals between April and November 2016.

Burnham Wildlife Corridor Gathering Spaces Project
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The Burnham Wildlife Corridor (BWC) is a 100-acre ribbon of urban wilderness running through Burnham Park. Anchored by the McCormick Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary at 26th street on
the north end and the Burnham Nature Sanctuary at 47th street on the south end, it spans both sides of Lake Shore Drive. The BWC is the largest stretch of natural area along Chicago’s lakefront. Its native prairie, savanna, and woodland ecosystems provide a healthy and diverse habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife and offer opportunities for visitors to meaningfully connect to this revitalized public green space in ways that inspire nature exploration, enjoyment, and stewardship.

The Gathering Spaces were designed and created over a period of two years. They were photographed by Sandra Steinbrecher between March and June 2016.