Finding Home in an Abandoned Art Park in Waukegan
Illustration by Emily Whang / NEXTGENRADIO
BY ANDREA FLORES | NEXTGENRADIO | WBEZCHICAGO
JUN. 22, 2023
What is the meaning of HOME?
This Next Generation Radio project is a five-day multimedia project highlighting the experiences of people in the Chicago area.
Andrea Flores speaks with Austin Cantú, who took it upon himself to reclaim the abandoned Art Park across the street from where his father grew up after hearing stories about his dad’s upbringing in a once bustling downtown Waukegan, Illinois. The space has not only been Austin’s passion project for the last seven years, it has been a glue to his family and has become an extension of what he considers home.
Austin Cantú never pictured himself as a community activist, art curator, or planner, but now he cannot go a day without thinking about his beloved “ArtPark” in downtown Waukegan.
“It’s that other half of me that I can’t go without. I can’t go a day without thinking of it. I can’t stop thinking about what is the next project,” Cantú said.
And it’s not just the ArtPark, Cantú’s love for his community is so strong he tattooed “Waukegan, Illinois” on his left arm.
“I’m gonna have to look at my arm and always be reminded of what I did in Waukegan, what I started and the whole impact that it’s had on me,” Cantú said.
Growing up, Cantú would often go with his dad to the town’s Art Wauks during the weekends, visiting various art galleries. As they walked around downtown, his dad would share stories about his upbringing as one of 10 siblings living in the old Stern’s department store building. He would recall how the town’s center was filled with storefronts and parades during his childhood.
“Waukegan has had a big impact on me,” says Austin Cantú, who decided to get his first tattoo after turning 18. “I was willing to get it tattooed on myself forever.”
ANDREA FLORES / NEXTGENRADIO
Yet, Cantú could not relate. Neglected and abandoned lots in the once bustling downtown area were all he knew, and the activities that once colored the streets no longer existed.
“He experienced the big businesses in downtown Waukegan. He experienced Belvedere Mall and Lakehurst Mall. And when I was growing up, it’s just like a whole different side that you would never even know. I would’ve never known if I wasn’t told,” Cantú said.
In 8th grade, Cantú wanted to beautify the area where the Stern’s building once stood. So he did what he thought any teenager would do: reached out to local officials on social media to get permission to use the space. He was persistent, but his plans went nowhere.
However, that didn’t stop Cantú from pursuing his vision of creating a community space. He looked to the small abandoned art park across the street.
The ArtPark was established in 1997 by Jim Harrington as a way to bring joy, life and art to a de-industrializing community. But Harrington died three years later, leading to inconsistent upkeep and overgrown grass that took over the site for more than a decade until Cantú and his family went on to reclaim this space.
Cantú was just 14 years old at the time. He initially hoped to have help from volunteers to clean up the park, but no one showed up.
Instead, his family stepped up to beautify the place they all called home.
“We came out here, pulled weeds, painted, put some mulch down, and my cousin actually came out and cut the grass for us. [My dad] still works with us to this day, whether it’s putting up the letters on the wall, putting up the murals, or doing some landscaping work,” Cantú said.
Austin Cantú poses for a picture in 2018 with his dad Oscar, mom Olga, grandmother “Wuela” Martha, and grandfather “Wuelo” Rogelio. Cantú says his family’s memories of old Waukegan inspired him to revitalize ArtPark. “Home was just family for me,” he says. PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTIN CANTÚ / NEXTGENRADIO
His motto was “Don’t ask for permission. Ask for forgiveness.”
Cantú said embarking on this journey brought him closer to his family, especially with his dad. The man who helped inform Cantú’s understanding of Waukegan’s history was now a vital part of his son’s legacy.
Over the last few years, the ArtPark has become what he refers to as his “baby.”
“Hosting the events, getting new artists to come out here and just getting people in Waukegan interested in something a little different that they’ve never really experienced before,” Cantú said.
The ArtPark has gone through various changes over the span of its 26 years.
And under Cantú’s care, the ArtPark underwent a significant transformation. In November 2020, the demolition of the building located next door interrupted all of the ArtPark activities. But that meant the park more than doubled in size.
Cantú resumed event planning in July 2021, but didn’t officially reopen the ArtPark until May 2023 with many musical acts and community vendors.
ArtPark officially reopened to the public at this May 2023 ceremony. Pictured are ArtPark artists, local vendors and supporters including Sue Harrington White and Dylan Harrington, Jim Harrington’s widow and grandson, and Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor. PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTIN CANTÚ / NEXTGENRADIO
Waukegan indie/punk rock band DESTRUCTION BABY performs on May 20, 2023. More than 300 people attended the opening event, with more than 100 staying for the performances. “It’s just something that brings people together, brings community together,” Cantú says. PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTIN CANTÚ / NEXTGENRADIO
“We just had a whole variety of performances with rap music, indie music, punk music, rock music. And we even had some traditional Hispanic music that was modernized a little bit. So it’s just something that brings people together, brings community together,” Cantú said.
Cantú hopes to continue to bring life into the space and create opportunities for people in Waukegan while building a legacy and a sense of home intertwined with the city’s history.