When Life Gives You Potholes, Make Art

An artist in Chicago uses the city’s potholes as his canvas.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • linkText
Jim Bachor
As winter draws to a close, so too does pothole season. And for one man in Chicago, that means it’s time to start fixing them. But instead of simply repaving potholes, Jim Bachor fills each one with concrete, white lime, river sand and, on top, a mosaic. A guerrilla pothole artist, Bachor’s colorful mosaics can be seen on streets throughout the city. The glass and marble pieces depict, among other designs, flowers, the Chicago flag, the number for a local garage and Bachor’s estimate of the number of potholes on Chicago’s roadways. Bachor started filling potholes with his art in 2013; this year, he raised over $300 through Kickstarter to do three more.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • linkText
Elizabeth Daigneau is GOVERNING's managing editor.
Special Projects