YWCA Wintrust Mural
Role: Lead Artist, Creative Direction & Design
Year: 2026 (March–April) Location: Chicago, Illinois
Partners: YWCA Chicago & Evanston/North Shore; Wintrust Financial Corporation, Artist Shiree Davis
Medium: Large-scale exterior mural; digital illustration
click for press release The YWCA Wintrust Mural is a large-scale public artwork honoring the leadership, resilience, and everyday contributions of women across Chicagoland. Designed by Chicago creative strategist and public art producer Janell Nelson, with illustrations by artist Shiree Davis, the mural celebrates women as caregivers, organizers, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders whose work strengthens communities from Englewood to Evanston and beyond.
Installed along Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway, the vibrant multi-panel mural integrates the words THRIVE, DIGNITY, and EMPOWERED—values central to YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Transforming the building façade into a bold public expression of gratitude and collective strength, the work highlights the power of intergenerational leadership and creative collaboration.