By FELICIA DECHTER Staff Writer, PioneerLocal.com

Have you seen all the fun artwork hanging around Nettelhorst School, 3252 N. Broadway?

The funky figurines and colorful murals are the creations of Lake View resident Shari Imbo, an artist who wanted her work to reflect the “very exciting and colorful,” school.

“When people see these artworks, I hope they will say, ‘I wanna smile,’” said Imbo, who works in a variety of mediums and has produced pieces for the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Printers Row Book Fair, and the Latino Film Festival. “Actually, as long as the work keeps people talking, I’ll be happy.”

Imbo is one of a handful of artists who have livened-up the school’s exterior with a variety of art. Her vibrant and snazzy mural, “Lake View Rhapsody,” is located on the school doors facing Aldine just west of Broadway. Lake View Rhapsody, Imbo said, is a sophisticated painting of musicians creating a jazzy Latin, African and funky musical story. The characters are whimsical, the style is modern, and the colors pop from the doors.

“I wanted to capture the personalities and rhythm of the Lake View community and the Nettelhorst School, and wanted this piece to move the community and rock the school,” Imbo said, adding that she had free reign on the concept and style of the artwork. “Nettelhorst School is very exciting and colorful, and it has been creating its distinct style and rhythm as well. I wanted the artwork to reflect these qualities.”

Imbo’s work, Principal Cindy Wulbert said, truly is a reflection of what goes on in the school, and the doors, make for a “very, very, warm entrance.” Nettelhorst, Wulbert said, has an “artsy focus,” and “we don’t want to look like the typical gray or red doors.

“We know the value of arts and creativity and think when you express it on the outside, it continues on the inside,” Wulbert said. “It also lends to a cheery atmosphere for community members. They know the school cares about its image and gives a glimpse of what’s inside.”

Yet Imbo’s mural is not the only mark she has left on the school. She has also created Nature’s Opera, a group of eight figurines created for the public art event Art 44/46. The quirky characters each wear funky garb made from recycled materials such as rope, paper, bottle caps, rocks.

Imbo worked with her daughter Audrey’s pre-school class and teachers to make beautiful adornments from the materials, and the teachers created one of the figurines, made entirely out of newspaper.

“I’m really proud of this piece because it–like Lakeview Rhapsody–captures the vibrant personae of Lake View and of Nettelhorst,” said Imbo, whose first piece she could recall making was a turtle ashtray made from clay in the second grade in the ’70s.

Her latest piece, however, has come a long way from then, as Imbo is working on a second mural for the Nettelhorst doors facing Broadway. This piece is still in progress, she explained, and will feature the earth, the ocean, and the sky.

And those who have seen Imbo’s work say it brightens the community and inspires those passing through the school.

“I think Shari’s work is a great addition to the neighborhood,” said Jacqueline Edelberg, founder of the Nettelhorst Parent-Teacher Co-op. “Upon entering one of Nettelhorst’s amazing doors, one is certain to be inspired and uplifted, and isn’t that the hallmark of a great public school?”

Since she began her work at Nettelhorst, Imbo said she’s received numerous calls from both homes and businesses seeking her services.

For information on her work, go to www.shari-imbo-swartz.com “or just walk down Broadway, and I’ll probably be painting a mural!” she said.

Source: PioneerLocal.com