The wall of a North Harlem Avenue building in Dunning inspired Ron Onesti as he searched for a new home for the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame — and for a large canvas to promote American athletes of Italian descent. “One of the reasons I bought that building was because of that wall,” says Onesti, president of the Hall of Fame. “That open space was very exciting to have.”

The Hall of Fame, which had been in Little Italy, won’t open in its new home until fall 2025, Onesti says. But the faces of former Cub Anthony Rizzo, former Blackhawk Tony Esposito and 11 others already gaze out from the north-facing wall at 3417 N. Harlem Ave. The mural was painted by Chicago artist Laurynas Buzinskas, who took Onesti’s vision and translated it into a mural that can evolve as more Italian American athletes are added.