ART & STORYTELLING INVIGORATE COMMUNITY IN SUMMIT

The Pigment International art team - Barrett Keithley, Patricia Andrews-Keenan, Brenda Dickerson, Amorion Bell and Phyliss North; Dickerson and Fred Hampton Jr. view the mural; Barrett Keithley and Ray Thompson, whose University of Iowa number is on the basketball court at Wharton Elementary School; Dickerson and her mother Delilah and with April Kates-Ellison with the Nubian Nine an d The Lights On Collective. (photo credit Doug Kenney) 

A ribbon cutting at Argo Park marked the culmination of Summit Together Creative Placemaking, an eight-month initiative supported by Cook County Arts and administered by SGA Youth & Family Services through the Summit Community Network. The project transformed three public spaces through art, gardening, storytelling and community engagement.

Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar set the tone, emphasizing the power of community, art and storytelling—principles that are foundational to Pigment International and its work. Pigment was proud to be an integral partner in bringing the project to life, led by COO Phyliss North.

Artist Brenda Dickerson created the central Argo Park mural, honoring the residents, organizations and shared history that shape Summit. Barrett Keithley brought that same spirit to a mural on the basketball court. Artists Marlon Tobias, Blake Lenoir and Amorion Bell also contributed, with Dorian Sylvain providing project consulting.

The mural features historic figures including Emmett and Mamie Till and Fred Hampton.  Fred Hampton Jr. joined the group to celebrate the mural’s unveiling.  Hampton shared that having Chairman Hampton’s picture on this mural speaks to his enduring legacy.  He believes it will engender conversation among Argo residents and visitors for years to come. 

The celebration continued with a trolley tour highlighting the youth mosaic at Summit Park and the community garden at Summit Public Library.



Community partners included Lights On Collective, The Old Timers and Nubian Nine. Home Depot donations supplied paint and furnishings. Together, artists, residents, youth organizations and community groups demonstrated how creative placemaking can reclaim public spaces while strengthening connection, belonging and community pride.