An Interview with Hope Washinushi
You might know Hope Washinushi as Open Studio’s Creative Director. But did you also know she’s an accomplished artist and one of the contributors to the Main Street Mural?
We sat down with Hope to ask her more about making murals, her creative background, and why projects like the Main Street Mural are so important for communities.
Keep reading to get to know Hope Washinushi!
How long have you been with Open Studio, and what brought you here?
I have been with the studio for over five years, initially facilitating youth programs during summer camp and now in my role as Creative Director. I learned about the studio from Sarah Laing, the former Executive Director, and was drawn to the mission and programs that OSP offers. Sarah was on the board of Young Evanston Artists (YEA!) while I served as President, and she let me know that Open Studio needed a facilitator for summer camps, so I jumped on board to help out.
You are also an artist yourself. Can you share a little bit about your creative background?
I have my BFA from SAIC where I studied foundry (bronze casting) and fabric printing for four years.
Upon graduation, I started a mural company with a friend painting children's murals. We worked with the Chicagoland Baby's Room Store to design and install murals in their babies’ rooms.
The partnership lasted for a few years. Eventually she moved, and we both continued as artists in different states. I began working with interior designers creating custom upholstered furniture and drapery. I expanded to doing mosaics per client requests, and I continue to work with residential and commercial clients today.
What is your role with the Main Street mural project?
I work with our mural artists and assist with navigating the mosaic aspect of the mural. I will mainly be creating and installing the glass and community-created tiles onto the mural wall, which involves mapping out Oscar’s design and arranging the mosaic pieces to match his color specifications.
Hope maps out the tile design on the Main Street Mural.
The tile pattern laid out inside the studio.
When did you start doing mosaic murals?
I have been doing mosaics for residential and commercial clients since the early 2000s. I initially learned how to design and install mosaics when I interned as a sculptural assistant during my time in college.
Tell us about the mural you recently installed in Skokie.
The Skokie mural was commissioned by Mosaic Early Childhood School. I have worked with them for over 15 years on many murals for their schools in Skokie and Chicago.
I also created and installed the mosaic in front of Bollywood Salon. At first, it was going to be a painted mural but then it pivoted to being a complete mosaic, which I love doing.
Since I have worked with this client for many years, I knew what needed to be in this most recent design, and they loved it with a few additions. So the process of mapping, creating, and finally installing began. It is a lot of work doing mosaics, as there are many steps to the finished product, but it is always rewarding when it is complete.
How has the Main Street mural project been different from other ones you’ve worked on?
I am an independent artist who usually only obtains input from clients. So, listening to Oscar, Xavier, and Edwidge discuss and present the design is a different perspective for me. I am not guiding the design, but they listen to my ideas. I'm sitting in the back seat instead of driving, so it is an enjoyable ride.
Muralist, Oscar Joyo, preps the wall for the mural by laying out a “goofy grid” onto which the design will be mapped.
Why are murals so important for communities?
Murals are visual reminders of our stories, connections, and the beauty of art. You truly don't realize the connection that art brings to us until it is in front of you or you are creating it. Living in cities of concrete jungles, murals are a visual respite. It makes us stop, admire and think. A visual refresh for the mind.
What about this project is most exciting to you?
The hands-on installation and process is what drives me. I love getting my hands dirty and how the final product evolves.
Do you have any other upcoming projects you’d like people to know about?
I am working on a project for a client that is a large-scale family tree consisting of multimedia materials, which I will install at their home.
The Main Street Mural is made possible by community members like you! Your donation will help pay for permitting, paint, supplies, on-going maintenance and more.
Be a part of creating a piece of Evanston history. Donate today!