Workshop: Public Art Projects

Public Art Projects – The Process From Concept To Completion

Learn how to plan and execute public art projects from concept to completion, including budgeting, managing assistants, meeting timelines, and collaborating with clients.

This workshop is led by Cristian Roldán Aponte, a community-based artist whose practice explores art as a tool for cultural memory, social expression, and collective empowerment. Grounded in the philosophy of Paulo Freire, his work centers on dialogue-driven mural projects that transform public space into accessible learning environments and platforms for community storytelling.

Deeply rooted in Chicago’s Humboldt Park, Cristian’s murals turn neighborhood walls into vibrant “organic billboards” reflecting local histories, struggles, and identity. His work invites participants to reimagine public art as a collaborative process that shapes how we see and build our cities together.

He holds a Master’s in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has completed over 30 murals across Chicago, Puerto Rico, and Boston, with his work featured in major media outlets and academic spaces.