New mural honors Naperville Freemasons
October 30, 2011 — Source: Naperville Sun — Author: Hilary Decent
The latest addition to the Century Art Walk was unveiled Saturday as Freemasons from Euclid Lodge No. 65 revealed a few of their secrets to the public.
However, anyone wishing to see it will have to wait for at least a month since it will be taken down for framing.
“Faith, Hope and Charity” is the 40th piece in the Century Walk series, the fourth to be designed by Naperville artist Marianne Lisson Kuhn.
“We have a foot and a half border to add on,” she said of the piece currently. “It will be painted to simulate wood and rope which shows how masons are tied together around the world.”
It took Lisson Kuhn three months to paint the piece on three wooden boards which form one unit when mounted on the wall on the outside of Russell’s Dry Cleaners on Main Street downtown.
“The most challenging part was the symmetrical masonry work which involved a lot of math and technical aspects,” she said. “I did more research than I probably needed because I found it all so interesting. I knew nothing about them before. I hope this will educate people.”
The work includes the names of famous Freemasons from around the world and others from Naperville including city founder Joe Naper. On one side stands George Washington, one of 14 U.S Presidents who were Masons, with Naper on the other. Freemasons have been in Naperville since 1848.
The mural is the brainchild of Neville Diamond, this year’s Worshipful Master of Euclid Lodge.
“I thought it was time to make the public aware of what we have done,” he said. “We are not a secret society; we are a society with secrets. We are not a religion, but we are religious. The Naperville Masonic Temple Board helps many local charities including Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, Shriners’ Hospital, DuPage PADS, Chicago Honor Flight and Bridge Communities.”
Several officials from the charities helped by the group were there to support the Freemasons.
Melvin Kim of Loaves and Fishes said the group has done wonderful things over the years for charity.
“The masons are a significant benefactor of Loaves and Fishes and it is good to see them recognized for the work they have done over the years,” he said.
Mark Milligan of Bridge Communities agreed.
“We so appreciate what the Lodge does for Bridge Communities. They support us in our charitable work. I am so pleased to be here to support them,” he said.
Steve Hyett of Century Art Walk described the mural as “a phenomenally wonderful addition to the Century Walk.”
Guests at the ceremony included Medinah Shriners and representatives of the Grand Chapter of Illinois and the Illinois Grand Council of Cryptic Masons.
After the ceremony the public were invited to tour the lodge, which is above Naperville Running Company on West Jefferson Avenue.