Project Description: 

- Artist: Carolyn Elaine 

- Sponsorship: Burnside Scholastic Academy.  This project is partially supported by an Individual Artists Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events and Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

 

- 300 sq. ft. Broken Tile Mosaic and Historic Photo Image Interior Installation 

 

This 300 sq ft Mural Installation was created to honor the 17 PTA Mothers and 27 Students who spearheaded "a new kind of sit-in tactic" at Burnside Elementary School in 1962 that sparked the Civil Rights Movement in Chicago. Their refusal to stand for separate and unequal schools ignited a massive boycott by Chicago Public School students in 1963 that drew federal attention, followed by further protests in 1964 and a visit by Dr. Martin Luther King to Chicago in 1965. During his visit Dr. King decided to make Chicago his Southern Christian Leadership Conference's next campaign. His Chicago Freedom Movement arrived here in January 1966. 

Internationally known Genealogist Tony Burroughs ( Burnside Alum who participated in the Sit-In at the age of twelve), conducted workshops to educated Burnside students and staff on their school's rich history and provided the historical documents and photo images used in mural composition.

Artist Carolyn Elaine designed the mural composition and worked with the students of Burnside Academy to fabricate the mosaic elements.

Art Teacher Sarah Didricksen prepared Burnside students with background information pertaining to the Civil Rights Movement and supported them in creating artwork based on what they learned from the overall project experience.

A Special Thank You to Burnside Academy and The Burnside LSC who would like to dedicate this historic project in memory of former Principal Dr. Anthony Bieger 1961 - 2014.