Mundelein School District 75 art students can consider themselves stars, now that their artwork adorns the latest addition of the Mundelein Arts Commission “Stars on Parade” art installation series.

The D75 star, titled “Many a Masterpiece,” is a collage of School District 75 student artwork. It was installed this spring in front of the District 75 offices at 470 Lake Street.

“I’m really proud of it,” said Carl Sandburg Middle School Visual Arts Teacher Lisa Shirley. “Our kids do fabulous work - amazing high-quality work.”

The Mundelein Arts Commission (MAC) began its Stars on Parade art installation series during the 2020 school year. The program features 16 embellished sculptures of the Mundelein star logo and artists recruited to decorate and paint the metal and plaster fixtures. The pieces were adopted by local businesses and organizations and placed at various outdoor locations in downtown Mundelein.

Patience Bertana, a former District 75 instructional technology coach, wrote the original District 75 proposal to participate and recruited arts teachers Lisa Shirley, Tracey Eifert of Mechanics Grove and Jen Savone of Washington to help. The group collected multiple pieces of student artwork from each D75 school. Lisa Shirley worked with Signal Graphics to reproduce the artwork onto a vinyl adhesive product and to paint and collage the star cast.

The process of collaging the artwork onto a sculptured star was not easy, but Shirley took her time, got advice from the other art teachers, and completed the task on weekends. She painted the inside and bottom of the star purple, allowing the color to contrast with the art. Shirley also added the District 75 logo in a couple of places to complete the star.

The Village hosted a ribbon cutting on July 4 to celebrate the Stars on Parade exhibit’s three new star additions. The ribbon cutting took place at the Mundelein Village Hall, 300 Plaza Circle, near the “Fish Tank” star. After the ceremony, village officials kicked off the “Walking with the Stars” scavenger hunt. Participants will have the entire month of July to visit each star. Those who complete the scavenger hunt will receive a sticker and be entered into a raffle drawing.

While many of the 15 stars were installed in the summer of 2020, some of the work was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The D75 star was one of three that were delayed due to the pandemic. It is the only star featuring student artwork.

“It turned out amazing,” said Colleen Malec, a Planner with the Village of Mundelein.

Besides D75’s “Many a Masterpiece” star, the two other new stars being introduced on July 4 are “Glory” designed by artist Tammie Trahan and sponsored by Grand Dominion in honor of their veterans and “Starry Night,” designed by artist Alison Pearl.

While the stars are not designed to be permanent exhibits, Malec said they may last three to five years with a little maintenance and TLC.