111+ Portraits of Berwyn

Berwyn is a community of characters, stories and many faces.

38 of these unique artworks are now on display at the Berwyn Township

Berwyn Township/Public Health District Building (Website)
Clinic entrance on the first floor, 6600 West 26th Street, Berwyn, IL 60402

Project Background:

Berwyn celebrated it’s 111th Birthday in 2019. To honor this occasion, artist Antonia Ruppert created “111 Portraits of Berwyn — Berwyn is a community of characters, stories and many faces.”

Antonia invited fellow artists to paint Berwyn residents, business owners, and city staff. People sat in person at our pop-up and we received images via email.

A special thank you to Antonia Ruppert & Sarah Abboreno Corbin, and Katie Rose for organizing this project.

Over the course of the first 2 years, 20+ artists volunteered their talent to create 77 unique portraits. The project was interrupted by the pandemic, but with the leadership of board member Jenny Mallette-Nichols, 3 years after the start of this inspiring and ambitious project we completed the collection. “111+ Portraits of Berwyn” was installed at the Berwyn Historical Society, August 27th – October 2, 2022, Saturdays & Sundays, 9am – 1pm and accessible for FREE.

A big thank you to the BHS for providing the space for the exhibit. We especially appreciate the support and partnership from Gina Parker, Mary Beth Arenella, Junely Escobar of the Berwyn School Districts (bn98.org and bsd100.org), their students, and teachers, and our fellow board member Joel Gonzalez (weourstory.com) for helping with the completion of the project.

#46

#67 Ken

#33 Sabine

#55

#44

#47 Scott — Township

#60

#71

#37 Michael

#45

#66 Sandy

#21 Jools

#56 Mario

#23

#42 Ray

#64

#6 Laurita

#40 Joel

#27 Sandra

#15 Tom

#75 Brian

#69

#57

#34

#74

#4 Michelle

#7 Charlie Buddy | SOLD

#8 Jaime

#9 Amanda | SOLD

#1 Lucille

#10 Norman

#11

#12 Maricela

#13

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#18

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#26 Lulu

#28

#29

#30

#31 Robert

#32

#35

#36 Emerson — NOT FOR SALE

#38 Lisa | SOLD

#39 Jousef

#41 Diane

#43 La Mistress

#48 Marissa

#49 Jane

#50

#51

#52 Jessica

#53

#54

#58

#59

#61

#62 Susan

#63

#65

#68 Paul

#70 Mom

#72

#73

#76 Katie

#77 Christian

# 78

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#88

A huge thank you and shout out to the generous and talented contributing artists:

North & South Berwyn School District
Students & Teachers

Andrea Alanis

Marlow Baca
@marlocha_66

Juan Baez
@jcbaezart

Meg Barr
@shmeggity

Dana Bloede
@danabloede

Nicole Caggiano
@ladyfrith_art

Jose Colon
@masterofthearts14

Elvira Colon
@matrix_mrscolon

Vanessa Garza
@studio_nez

Isis Godinez

Megan Kellie
@imdrawinghere

Sabine Krauss
@binchen76

Naomi Martinez
@monstrochika

Jane McAtee

Erika Meraz
@ms_dancingdesigner

Adriana Pena
@meshikanita

Dalila Perez
@beautifullydead_bydalilaperez

Michelle Ruiz
@michelle___ruiz

Antonia Ruppert
@antoniaruppertart

Tom Valenzano

Alex Velazquez Brightbill
@avelazqu80

Project Past Displays & Events

Berwyn Public Library — September 7, 2019 (Event Page: Part 1 Display of the Portraits took place at the Berwyn Public Library)

Berwyn Historical Society — August 27th – October 2, 2022, Saturdays & Sundays, 9am – 1pm

“111+ Portraits of Berwyn” Closing Night Reception 2022 — Thursday, October 20, 2022, 6:30 PM

We hosted a 2-hour cocktail reception with appetizers, music, fun trivia, and 111+ portraits of Berwyn on at the Berwyn Historical Society, 1401 Grove Ave, Berwyn. Some of the portraits were purchased by the subjects. To honor the project, all portraits had a suggested purchase amount of $111. (All original painted works are valued at $125-200 each). TICKET PROCEEDS BENEFITTED the Berwyn Public Art Initiative & Berwyn Historical Society