Who is That Guy?

Geoff Bevington, do you know him?

While many may not recognize him by name, Bevington is arguably the most prolific visual artist in DuPage County today. He is the mastermind behind the Andy Warhol Pop Art Challenge: 15 Minutes of Fame murals that are popping up throughout DuPage County in tandem with the opening of Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop | Works from the Bank of America Collection on loan through the Art in our Communities® program. The exhibition includes 94 works created by the iconic artist on display at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, through September 10.

Bevington, whose business card could read: marketing agency owner, graphic designer, international mural artist, author, cartoonist, illustrator, editor, innovator, inventor, educator, literacy and arts activist, and workaholic, began his relationship with the MAC in 2020 when he first learned of the Frida Kahlo exhibit scheduled to open in June 2021. A firm believer in the “If you want something, ask for it” philosophy, Bevington created a Kahlo-themed mural concept for MAC Director Diana Martinez, who embraced the project and moved it forward. A year later, the completed mural appeared on the north wall of Olive ‘n Vinnie’s, 449 N. Main St., and welcomed more than 100,000 visitors who came to see the Frida Kahlo: Timeless exhibit.

Wanting to be a part of the MAC’s second world-class exhibition, the Glen Ellyn-based artist again approached Martinez with his vision: a mural featuring four notables from the community recreated in Warhol’s signature pop art style. Bevington selected images of Glen Ellyn personalities Sean Hayes, Laurie Anderson, Katherine Dunham, and Jeffery Deaver, manipulated them digitally through a labor-intensive and meticulous process, and arranged them in a fashion reminiscent of Warhol’s silkscreen prints of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Chairman Mao.

Once again, Martinez gave an enthusiastic thumbs up and soon, 23 communities (and counting) accepted the challenge. Bevington found himself Warholizing more than 100 images of local celebs and influencers, from those as recognizable as Bob Odenkirk, John Belushi, and Gary Sinise to others like Eleanor Himmelfarb, Marget Hamilton, and Ellen Martin, who, while not commonly known, played a role in turning DuPage County into what it is today.

The ubiquitous public art pieces are installed at various locations countywide and will be accessible for the duration of the Warhol exhibit. Some will be removed immediately; others will remain in place to pay homage to the featured personalities. Wheaton College announced that the mural would become part of its permanent collection in honor of Jonathan Blanchard, the college’s first president.

“As I've been creating each of these portraits, I've been struck by how powerful this simple idea has become,” said Bevington. “Public art is extremely important for many reasons, not the least of which is building a stronger, more vibrant community. The work I'm doing to create the portraits AND help with the marketing of Warhol 2023 combines every aspect of my creative, marketing and organizational passions in an extremely gratifying package.”

For more on the Andy Warhol exhibit, Pop Up Challenge Participants, and Warhol-related events, go to theccma.org/warholdupageevents

Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop is sponsored in part by DuPage Foundation and its Arts DuPage initiative, created to support, promote, and advocate for the arts in DuPage County. For more on Arts DuPage and its support of the local arts community, visit artsdupage.org.