Aurora Downtown is proud to launch The Window Galleria Project: A true marriage of art & architecture, showcasing the vibrancy of downtown Aurora, its rich art community and the commitment of a dedicated group of people.

Two community-oriented Aurora police, officers Andrew Wolcott and Mike Corrigan, returned from a "Crime Prevention through Environmental Design" conference and suggested that the Downtown Aurora committee consider launching a project similar to one they witnessed in Louisville, Kentucky.

The officers' enthusiasm prevailed and the seeds of Window Galleria germinated.

However, the Aurora project deviates on two fronts from the Kentucky window art. First, the Aurora Downtown Marketing Committee chose to showcase the occupied downtown buildings, rather than highlighting art in empty buildings—as they did in Louisville. And instead of literally hanging art work in a store window, the Aurora Downtown members wished to create a bigger canvas to showcase the extraordinary talent of local artists and the historic edifices that "frame" the art.

The hard work began.

Next, one of the community officers and the project coordinator canvassed downtown and developed a map of which windows would be suitable, from a safety standpoint. The committee even sought and received special approval—temporarily bending the rules on an existing ordinance—to be able to make Window Galleria a reality.

We approached the best of the best local artists, chose the most interesting pieces and laboriously "matched" art to building character next. Enthusiastic business owners jumped on board in droves. Even two prestigious art galleries signed on. Photographs of the art were reproduced, enlarged and printed on a polymer substrate that snugly fits into and fills out the business windows—creating art on a really grand scale.

And all of it was well worth it.

We wanted to impact people in a variety of ways. We wanted to spotlight buildings that offer interesting things, both inside and out. We wanted to illustrate how Aurora thrives on art and embraces that community. We wanted to make it clear that we care about our downtown. We wanted to be able to offer the passers-by the opportunity to tap into that range of emotions that art often elicits and to have pleasing images available during the course of the day.

We wanted to let people know that Aurora is a city in transition and that a new personality is emerging.

Come check out our art and see what we're all about.