You Are Not Alone Mural Dedication

A new mural carrying a simple but powerful message, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, on the north exterior wall of The Art Center Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road. The dedication will take place during National Bullying Prevention Month and will include a proclamation from Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering recognizing October as Bullying Prevention Month in Highland Park.
 
The 8-by-12-foot mural was commissioned by Highland Park native Chris Falcon, founder and president of the anti-bullying nonprofit Take No Bullying, and created by nationally recognized Chicago artist and designer Tanner Woodford who is known for his bold, optimistic, large-scale typographic artwork at prominent destinations including Navy Pier, the Chicago Botanic Garden and Soho House Chicago. Created on three large wood panels with sustainability in mind, the mural was funded by Take No Bullying and is intended to resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.
 
Son of black Cuban immigrants, for Falcon, the mural’s message is deeply personal. He experienced bullying while growing up in Highland Park, contributing to depression and an overwhelming sense of isolation. Those experiences inspired him to establish Take No Bullying in 2016. Falcon commissioned the mural to place the words he would have benefited from hearing as a child in a prominent public space, where they can reach others who may be struggling today. “YOU ARE NOT ALONE - these are the words I needed to hear when I was younger,” Falcon said. “My hope is that someone sees this mural at exactly the moment they need its message and understands that they do not have to face what they are going through alone.”
 
Mural Dedication
Details WHAT: Dedication of the YOU ARE NOT ALONE mural
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: The Art Center Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, Illinois
LOCATION: North exterior wall
WHO: Chris Falcon, Tanner Woodford, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and community representatives The public and members of the media are invited to attend.