Rafael Blanco: Reflecting on a Decade of Public Art

Elmhurst Art Museum celebrates 10 years of public art by artist Rafael Blanco, co-creator of Elmhurst’s own Be Bold mural.

This exhibition will introduce the viewer to Blanco’s artistic journey through visual works in progress, video of Blanco’s process, and large-scale new work transforming the Museum’s galleries into its own urban landscape, filled with color, texture, and the serendipity of discovering public art in the wild.

Rafael Blanco’s work is deeply influenced by his own immigrant experience, and the beauty of embracing a new country while maintaining your own identity. Blanco extends that idea in a collaboration with nearly 100 area students, encouraging them to embrace who they are, be inspired by their own identity and culture, and let it all come out in their own work.

Rafael Blanco creates murals that grab your attention and pull you in.

This exhibition is sponsored by Wintrust Bank with additional support from the Tom Watson and Mary Cunningham Family Charitable Fund, the Illinois Arts Council, Discover DuPage, and Enjoy Illinois.

Artwork image: Rafael Blanco, Alcatraces, 2024. 113" x 240"