New Chicago Mural Unites Blackhawks Legacy and Community Spirit in East Garfield Park
A vibrant new mural now brightens the Martin Luther King Jr. Boys & Girls Club in East Garfield Park. The artwork, created by Chicago-based artist Oscar Joyo, celebrates the spirit of the Chicago Blackhawks and the local community’s diversity. Its unveiling marked a key moment in the team’s Centennial Year celebrations.
The event brought together young people, artists, and Blackhawks representatives for a day of activities and speeches. It also highlighted the club’s ongoing commitment to youth development and public art across Chicago.
The mural was commissioned as part of the Blackhawks Centennial Artist Cohort, a collaboration between the team and Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC). Joyo, selected through a partnership with All Star Press, designed the piece to reflect both the Blackhawks’ energy and the neighbourhood’s rich cultural mix.
The unveiling took place during a lively community gathering. Attendees enjoyed floor hockey sessions, heard remarks about supporting young athletes, and listened to a speech from an MLK Oratory Finalist. The celebration wrapped up with a casual basketball game, a cheer performance, and shared pizza and hot chocolate.
This initiative is part of the Blackhawks’ broader $3 million, 10-year pledge to expand sports-based youth programmes and public art in the city. Their Centennial Year efforts will benefit BGCC’s eight Chicago clubs, reaching over 15,000 young people annually.
The mural stands as a lasting symbol of the partnership’s impact. It also reinforces the team’s dedication to investing in local communities through creativity and sport.
The new artwork at the Martin Luther King Jr. Boys & Girls Club will remain a visible reminder of the Blackhawks’ community work. The event showcased how sports, art, and youth development can come together to strengthen neighbourhoods. Further projects under the Centennial Artist Cohort are expected to follow in other parts of Chicago.
