FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Mural “Glow” to Illuminate Downtown Naperville
ArtForum Naperville Announces Installation of New Work
Naperville, IL — September 19, 2025 – ArtForum Naperville: Partnership for Public Arts, a newly established not-for-profit dedicated to fostering public art and community engagement, is excited to announce its first major project: the installation of Glow, a captivating mural by multidisciplinary artist Maddie Peterson.
Replacing the beloved Towering Sunflower by Erin Smith Franczyk, Glow will be installed this Sunday, September 21st, on the Liam Brex alley wall in Downtown Naperville. Community members are warmly invited to witness the installation and celebrate the city’s growing public art landscape.
Glow began as a soft pastel work on paper (2025) that radiates joy and creativity. “This piece is a reminder to find play and wonder in the everyday,” says Peterson. “In the midst of work, stress, and responsibilities, there is value in letting go and being carried away by simple pleasures.”
Peterson’s multidisciplinary practice blends costume design, scenic artistry, and storytelling. Drawing inspiration from her years in New York and England as well as extensive international travel, she has designed for Broadway, major U.S. regional theatres, and international tours. She holds a BFA from Parsons The New School for Design and an MA from Central Saint Martins in London.
“We’re grateful for the beauty that Erin Smith Franczyk’s Towering Sunflower brought to this space,” said Michael Gold, President of ArtForum. “With Glow, we continue our mission to inspire, challenge, and delight the community while elevating Downtown Naperville as a vibrant destination for public art. We extend our sincere thanks to Liam Brex for their partnership in providing this prominent wall, and to the Special Events & Community Arts (SECA) Commission of Naperville for their generous support of this project.”
Event Details
• What: Installation of Glow by Maddie Peterson
• When: Sunday, 8:00 am to approximately 1:00 pm.
• Where: Liam Brex alley wall, Downtown Naperville
For more information, please contact:
Michael Gold, ArtForum Naperville: Partnership for Public Arts