Do you recognized these murals? In the mid-20th century, Kate Raftery, founder of The Little Traveler, commissioned Art Institute of Chicago student William Moulis to paint these and other murals throughout the store. From 1947-1952, he kept an art studio in the “penthouse” of The Little Traveler and is the creator of the very first Almanacks, which held more of his artwork and poetry.

He went on to establish the design style for notable hotels and restaurants in Chicago, New York, and Hong Kong. His work was also exhibited locally at the Wayne Art League Show, the Community Hospital Geneva and Delnor Hospital St. Charles Benefit, The John Forden Gallery, Aurora, and the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles. Because of his many accomplishments, he was posthumously inducted into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame earlier this year. 

Willam Moulis was born in Chicago in 1919. His accomplished career as an artist spanned from 1941 to 1989. He's most known for his mural paintings, as well as oils, watercolors, gouaches, and collages. Even after moving out of The Little Traveler, he continued living in Geneva until he died on Jan. 6, 1989.