John Prine’s Legacy Comes Alive on Chicago’s Brick Wall

A striking mural now covers a brick wall at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Lincoln Square, Chicago. Created during the annual Square Roots Festival, the artwork was painted by musician Jon Langford and artist Darius Dennis, with close collaboration from Prine’s wife, Fiona.

The Design

• Central Image: An older Prine playing guitar against a sky‑blue backdrop streaked with red stars, echoing the Chicago flag.
• Lyric Highlight: “How lucky can one man get?” curls above him, chosen for its playful ambiguity.
• Personal Touches:
• Maywood (Prine’s hometown) is written in postcard style on one side.
• A flipped card bears his signature and stamps featuring fellow songwriter Steve Goodman.
• A pennant represents Prine’s high school, Proviso East.

Technical Details

• Dimensions: 56 feet wide × 26 feet tall, covering the second story of the school.
• Medium: Painted directly onto brick—Dennis’s preferred technique for durability.
• Process: Langford sketched on a wooden panel, then transferred the design to the wall.

Collaboration & Community

Dennis assembled a team of five helpers, turning the project into a collaborative learning experience. He hopes that witnessing teamwork will inspire others to explore Prine’s music and appreciate the power of community art.

The finished mural stands as a lasting homage to Prine’s music, his Chicago roots, and the everyday life that shaped him.