E(art)h Chicago
Connecting Chicagoans to our planet and each other
The Challenge
E(art)H Chicago—pronounced Earth Art Chicago—is a major grant initiative by the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation, conceived as a citywide, community-based art program to spark dialogue and action around climate change, natural resource use, and environmental justice. Spanning 11 Chicago neighborhoods and featuring nearly $550,000 in funded public artworks, the initiative centers local artists and communities most impacted by industrial pollution, voices often excluded from mainstream climate conversations. The challenge was to create a name and brand system capable of unifying this expansive, multi-neighborhood experience while remaining flexible enough to elevate the art itself, educate the public, and inspire participation across the city.
The Client
Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation
Industry
Public
Services
Brand Identity | Art Direction | Naming Convention | Marketing Collateral
Credits
Art Direction: Mere Montgomery
Made in Partnership with LimeRed , Inc. & Fatkid Studios
The Approach
Through close collaboration with organizers, artists, and community stakeholders, paired with historical research, we developed a name, brand positioning, and visual identity that could hold collective meaning. The system was designed to stand confidently on its own to draw Chicagoans in, while remaining intentionally restrained so it never overshadowed the artwork itself. Inspired by past climate and environmental justice movements, the identity acts as a connective thread, unifying diverse installations, neighborhoods, and voices into a single, citywide experience.
From concept to installation, E(art)H Chicago came to life as a fully integrated, citywide experience, supporting 12 funded artworks spanning physical installations, film screenings, and live performances across 11 neighborhoods.
The Inspiration
The identity draws directly from activist art created for the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Typography, color, and form were informed by the visual language of environmental movements that have long fought for land, air, and water protection. These historical references ground the project in legacy, while reinterpreting them for a contemporary audience and a new generation of climate advocates.
The Feeling
Retro yet unmistakably current, the brand invites curiosity and participation across generations. It’s designed to feel welcoming, hopeful, and energizing—encouraging people to engage with the installations and reflect on their role as stewards of their communities, local ecosystems, and the planet. The tone balances urgency with optimism, making space for both reflection and action.
From Concept to Installation: 12 Projects Received Grants of $ 10k-$100k to Create Their Art and Engage Their Community.
Impact & Outcome
From concept to installation, E(art)H Chicago came to life as a fully integrated, citywide experience. The identity system was designed to scale seamlessly across signage, wayfinding, digital materials, and on-site installations, supporting 12 funded artworks spanning physical installations, film screenings, and live performances across 11 neighborhoods. Each piece centered on environmental issues impacting Chicago communities—particularly those most affected by pollution and climate injustice—while guiding audiences through an interconnected journey of art and place. Hope was a driving force throughout the project, reinforcing the belief that awareness, creativity, and collective action are essential to shaping a more just environmental future.
