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Community Art at the Brookfield Shops
Community art is vital for the Village of Brookfield, serving as a powerful medium for connection and expression. Visual art, such as the new pieces on display at the Brookfield Shops, transforms public spaces into dynamic canvases that reflect the town's unique character and collective identity. These installations become landmarks, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among residents and attracting visitors to our vibrant community.
Beyond visual art, performing arts, from local music to theatrical performances, breathe life into our shared spaces, turning everyday locations into hubs of creativity. By providing platforms for artists to share their talents, we create a richer cultural tapestry that encourages dialogue and collaboration. This combination of visual and performing arts not only beautifies our village but also strengthens the social fabric, making Brookfield a more connected and engaging place for everyone. Supporting community art is an investment in our shared future and a celebration of the creative spirit that defines us.
"Art of Home"
The “Art of Home” theme invites artists to explore the many meanings of home through their own creative lens. Home can be a physical place, a feeling, a memory, a routine, or a reflection of identity, and this theme is intentionally open to a wide range of interpretations.
Artists are encouraged to consider what makes Brookfield feel like home to its residents and visitors. This may include (but is not limited to) depictions of Brookfield’s diverse residential architecture, moments of family life and togetherness, everyday rituals and hobbies that happen within the home, or the quiet details that make a space feel lived-in and loved. Home might also be represented symbolically through objects, textures, traditions, or emotions that evoke comfort, belonging, and connection.
Whether literal or abstract, playful or reflective, submissions should celebrate the idea of home as a shared yet deeply personal experience. The home connects individuals, families, and the broader community.
"Stories from Brookfield"
The “Stories from Brookfield” theme invites artists to capture and celebrate the people, places, and moments that shape our community. Every street, storefront, gathering, and tradition holds a story and this theme encourages artists to bring those narratives to life.
Artists may draw inspiration from Brookfield’s history, local landmarks, neighborhood moments, small businesses, community events, or the everyday interactions that give the village its character. Stories can be personal or collective, historical or contemporary, literal or abstract. What matters is that the work reflects a genuine connection to Brookfield and its sense of place.
This theme is intentionally broad, allowing artists to interpret “story” in their own way: a single moment frozen in time, layered memories, cultural traditions, or the evolving identity of the community. Together, these pieces will form a visual storytelling experience that honors Brookfield’s past, present, and future.
Art Round Two Themes
The Round Two artwork will be unveiled on June 12th! Once the pieces are unveiled, this page will be updated to feature the artwork and artists.
Art Round One
"Community"
"Community" celebrates the invisible threads that bind us together. Community is built through shared experiences, mutual support, and the collective spirit that emerges when we work, play, and grow side-by-side. These works explore the power of unity and the vibrant energy created when diverse individuals come together to form a whole. Through this collection, our artists invite us to reflect on how our relationships with one another create a foundation of belonging and a shared vision for the future.
Click on each piece of art to learn more.
Mary Beth Zwolfer
"Neighbors Share Books."
Haylie Skripac
"One World One Community"
Joanna White
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"Eight Points of Connection "
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"Sunrise Over Brookfield"
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"Bloom on the Corner"
Katie Carpenter
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"Grilled to Cheeses"
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"Quack Back 7"
Vicki Perry
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"Even Me"
Vivian Piña
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"Kiwanis Park
Meet the Artists
Mary Beth Zwolfer
"I’m grateful that once again I’ve been invited to join an amazing group of talented artists to create art for the Brookfield Shops’ outdoor gallery. The colorful sheds are a clever way to draw people into the courtyard and they’re the inspiration for the color palettes in my paintings. When I shop the Brookfield Shops and walk through the public art gallery full of visual storytelling, it feels intimate and small-town friendly."
Mary Beth is an amateur artist and retired interior decorator with a deep love for community and storytelling. Her work highlights the beauty of family life and everyday connection, including her piece titled Neighbors Share Books, on display at The Brookfield Shops in 2025.
Before retiring, Mary Beth developed a connection to Brookfield through her interior design workshops at Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, where she shared her passion for creativity with the residents. She is a proud mother to three children and an adoring grandmother to two granddaughters, one of whom lives in Brookfield.
"Neighbors Share Books."
Social Media: @Vivanpina
Vivian Piña
"I'm very appreciative that our town is choosing to highlight community art made by humans. Painting memories of Brookfield and wishes for its future is always an honor."
Vivian Piña is an illustrator and a lifelong resident of Brookfield. Much of her creativity has been fueled by her background in classical dance, and she finds great inspiration from artist Mary Blair. She is very thankful for her art teachers at Brook Park, SE Gross, RBHS, and Columbia College Chicago for guiding and encouraging her to create. Her work strives to show the beauty of diversity and celebrate our differences.
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"Kiwanis Park"
Social Media: @haylie_skripac_art
Haylie Skripac
Haylie is an emerging artist who has been drawing and coloring from a young age. She has a profound appreciation for the transformative power of art, specifically its ability to bring vitality to any space, and is driven to create work with the same effect. She hopes people will admire the creativity and dedication put into each piece. Haylie graduated in May 2025 from Bethel University with a Liberal Arts degree.
"It’s an honor to have my work featured at the Brookfield shops. I love the way art can transform everyday spaces and I’m excited for these pieces to become part of the energy and atmosphere of Brookfield."
"One World One Community"
Vicki Perry
Social Media: @vixjean5in1000
Vicki Perry-Buscemi is a Brookfield-based artist and maker. The unique crafts and mixed media work she produces is eco-conscious. The humor in her work stems from her forever muse, her late mother. In composing hand-painted signage and ornaments, she creates accessible treasures. Vicki's interests include collecting timeless vintage items and uncommon finds.
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"Even Me"
Joanna White
"I'm thrilled to be a part of The Brookfield Shops at Progress Park, a project that reflects Brookfields commitment to nurturing new businesses and celebrating all forms of art- from fine art to music and beyond. It's been an honor to join so many amazing artists by creating murals that hopefully reflect the community around us. It's exciting to contribute to something built with such dedication to making Brookfield a more vibrant place for everyone."
Joanna White is a local artist with 20+ years experience in the Fine Art and Theatre world. She currently teaches Scenic Art for Theatre at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Her past employment includes positions at Steppenwolf, Harpo Studios and MTC in NYC. Outside of her work as a scenic artist for Theatre, she has completed several murals in various Chicagoland neighborhoods.
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"Eight Points of Connection"
"Sunrise Over Brookfield"
"Bloom on the Corner"
Social Media:
Katie Carpenter
Social Media: @lemonandlilypads
Katie Carpenter is an artist living in Ohio (I know!) with her sweet little family. She's been in the art game for decades (but she looks so young, I know!) and loves learning new forms of art. From giant foods to costumes to paintings, Katie's artwork crosses the globe with collectors and shows both at home and internationally. Her style blends realism with a cartoon-like whimsy, and her goal is simply that the viewer leave with a smile.
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"Grilled to Cheeses"
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"Quack Back 7"
Aria Ramos
I am so excited for everyone’s art to be displayed! I think it is great that Brookfield is making an effort to support small businesses and artists. With the new art, the Brookfield shops will look so pretty!
Aria Ramos is a sophomore at Riverside Brookfield High School. Ramos has been painting since she was little but it didn't become a serious thing until about middle school. Ramos has given many paintings to family and friends as an expression of her love. Every piece of art created is a reflection of her and her feelings. Painting is one of the things that Ramos truly enjoys, giving her a certain feeling of calmness. She will always have a passion for it.
Carla Riseman
Social Media: @ThunderMoonStudio
Carla Riseman is a mixed-media artist, art teacher, and surface pattern designer whose playful, whimsical artwork examines themes of hope, love, and belonging. Working primarily in acrylic, collage, and watercolor, Carla draws inspiration from the natural world to create imaginative artwork that she hopes will deepen viewers’ connections to themselves, one another, and their communities. She regularly shares her love of art and creative expression in her popular art classes at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library. Carla is also known in Brookfield for her hidden art projects that foster connection and illustrate our shared humanity.
"From Brookfield, With Love"
"Brookfield Grows Together"
Special THANK YOU to our Artist Showcase Partners!
To learn more about the Cook County Creative Placemaking Grant and the Brookfield Shops Creative Corner project CLICK HERE
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