JOLIET, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Rialto Square Theater in Joliet is getting an early jump on its 100th birthday with a new 40-foot long mural.
Steve Randich, president of the Rialto Square Theater Foundation said the theater turns 100 years old in 2026 as does the old Route 66 which runs along it. To celebrate, Randich said a mural was commissioned depicting the history of the theater.
“We’re calling this mural the Twin Centennial Mural,” he said.
The Rialto received an $85,000 dollar Route 66 grant to pay for the art and to prep the granite wall that will hold the frame in which 10 4 x 8 foot panels will sit.
The first part of the panel will show the theater’s early construction.
“There were brothers by the name of the Ruben[s] brothers who actually built the Rialto Theater and so the first part of the mural will depict the Ruben brothers and they look over plans.”
He said painting of the mural began three or four months ago.
“Our hope is that we’re going to have an unveiling for local officials and folks from the state who actually awarded us the grant sometime late this month in February.”
Steve Randich hopes to have the mural installed by the middle of next month.
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