The City of Urbana Arts & Culture Program is pleased to announce that acclaimed artist and muralist Jose Vazquez has been selected to create a new large-scale public mural at 115 West Main Street in Downtown Urbana.
The mural will transform the prominent west-facing wall of the downtown parking structure into a vibrant work of public art, celebrating Urbana's unique identity while contributing to the continued vitalization of the downtown district. Installation is anticipated to begin in mid-September and continue through early October, weather permitting.
The project is made possible through a partnership between the City of Urbana and its Arts & Culture Commission, property owner Mike Hosier of R Rentals, and 40 North | 88 West, whose collaborative efforts have helped bring the project from concept to reality.
Vazquez was selected through a competitive artist review process led by the City's 115 West Main Mural Review Committee, which was established to support artist selection, guide the design process, and oversee project implementation. The committee includes Chris Evans, Urbana City Council, Ward 2; Xander Hazel, Urbana Arts & Culture Commission; Elsie Hedgspeth, Director of Operations & Outreach, 40 North | 88 West; Mike Hosier, R Rentals; Dr. Rachel Storm, City of Urbana Interim Arts & Culture Coordinator; Kelly White, Executive Director, 40 North | 88 West; and Robert White, Urbana Arts & Culture Commission.
“40 North is thrilled to see Jose Vazquez selected for City of Urbana’s new large-scale mural. This is an incredible opportunity to bring joy, creativity, and a strong sense of community to our public spaces,” Kelly White, Executive Director of 40 North | 88 West, said. “Jose has the talent and vision to create something celebratory, bold, and unforgettable. We are so excited to watch this become a landmark piece of art that reflects the heart and spirit of Urbana.”
Community Invited to Meet the Muralist
Before painting begins, the City is inviting community members to help inspire the mural's design through a public engagement process centered around an "Urbana Word Association" activity.
Meet the Muralist
From 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19
Common Ground Co-op (Back Hallway Event Space)
Lincoln Square Mall
This informal gathering will provide an opportunity to meet Jose Vazquez, learn more about the mural project, enjoy light refreshments, hear brief remarks about the project, and participate in an interactive community activity.
Participants will be invited to share words they associate with Urbana. These responses will help inform Vazquez's creative process as he develops the mural design.
For those unable to attend, an online version of the Urbana Word Association activity will launch during the week leading up to the event, allowing community members to contribute their ideas remotely.
About Jose Vazquez
Jose Vazquez is a Mexico-born, Chicago-raised artist, muralist, illustrator, and concept artist whose work spans public art, fine art, and digital media. For more than three decades, he has created artwork that transforms public spaces through bold color, dynamic composition, and community storytelling.
Vazquez began his artistic career in Chicago's graffiti movement, where he became an original member of the renowned DC5 Crew, helping establish it as one of the city's most respected graffiti collectives. His early public commissions included work for the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, and numerous private commissions, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to bringing art into everyday public life.
Today, Vazquez is an established mural artist whose work and influence continue to grow throughout Central Illinois. His large-scale public artworks have been commissioned by municipalities, park districts, public health agencies, educational institutions, and private organizations throughout the region, including projects for the Champaign Park District, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, and Unit 4 School District, among others.
The University YMCA will be showing Bienvenidos: The Murals and Work of Jose Vazquez as a part of their Art @ the Y exhibition series in Murphy Gallery August 24- October 18, with an exhibition reception from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Alongside his studio and mural practice, Vazquez has enjoyed a distinguished career as a concept artist and illustrator in the video game industry for more than 20 years. During nine years at DS Volition, he created character, environment, and graphic designs for the acclaimed Saints Row series. He continues to work as a freelance concept artist and illustrator for game studios and research organizations, including the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Working across spray paint, acrylic, digital media and various media, Vazquez continues to push his artistic practice in new directions while remaining grounded in the creative spirit that first drew him to graffiti. His work is defined by a commitment to craftsmanship, collaboration, and the power of public art to shape our shared sense of place.
Updates on the mural project, including opportunities for public participation, and installation progress, will be shared on the City of Urbana's Mural Programs webpage:
https://www.urbanail.gov/community-development-services/page/mural-prog….