List of public art in Chicago facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Chicago, Illinois, is a super cool city with tons of amazing public art! You can find sculptures, fountains, and murals all over the place, just waiting for you to discover them. These artworks are like outdoor museums, showing off creativity and history for everyone to enjoy.

Awesome Artworks in Chicago
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Awesome Artworks in Chicago

Chicago is famous for its incredible collection of public art. These aren't just paintings in a museum; they are big, bold pieces you can see and interact with every day. Let's explore some of the most famous ones!

Unique Sculptures to Discover

Chicago has many unique sculptures that tell stories or make you think.

Agora (The Walking Figures)

In Grant Park, you'll find a group of 106 tall, headless figures called Agora. This artwork was created by Magdalena Abakanowicz in 2004. The figures are made of rusty iron, which gives them a reddish color and a cool, rough texture. They stand about 2.7 meters (9 feet) tall and look like they are walking or gathering together. It's a really striking sight!

Chicago Picasso (The Mystery Sculpture)

The Chicago Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza.

One of Chicago's most famous sculptures is simply called the Chicago Picasso. It stands in Daley Plaza and was put there in 1967. The famous artist Pablo Picasso designed it. It's made of steel and is about 15 meters (50 feet) tall! When it was first built, people weren't sure what it was supposed to be, but now it's a beloved symbol of the city. What do you think it looks like?

Cloud Gate (The Bean)

You probably know this one as "The Bean"! Cloud Gate is a super popular sculpture in Millennium Park. It was created by Anish Kapoor and finished in 2004. This giant, shiny sculpture is made of stainless steel and is about 13.4 meters (44 feet) tall. Its smooth, reflective surface mirrors the city skyline and the people around it, making it a fun spot for photos. You can even walk underneath it!

Flamingo (The Big Red Sculpture)

The bright red Flamingo sculpture.

In Federal Plaza, you can't miss the bright red sculpture called Flamingo. It was created by Alexander Calder in 1973. This huge artwork is made of steel and stands about 16.2 meters (53 feet) tall. It's known for its bold color and abstract shape, which looks like a giant flamingo or perhaps a playful, dancing figure.

Miró's Chicago (The Colorful Sculpture)

At Brunswick Plaza, you'll find Miró's Chicago, a colorful and whimsical sculpture by Joan Miró. It was installed in 1981. This artwork is made from a mix of materials like steel, concrete, bronze, and ceramic tiles, giving it a unique look. It stands about 12 meters (39 feet) tall and features abstract shapes and bright colors, typical of Miró's style.

Monument with Standing Beast (The Cartoon-like Sculpture)

Monument with Standing Beast outside the James R. Thompson Center.

Outside the James R. Thompson Center, you'll see a playful sculpture called Monument with Standing Beast. It was created by Jean Dubuffet in 1984. This artwork is made of fiberglass and is about 8.8 meters (29 feet) tall. It looks like a cartoon drawing brought to life, with its bold lines and abstract figures.

Bronze Cow Statue (The Friendly Cow)

Near the Chicago Cultural Center, there's a charming Bronze Cow Statue. Created by Peter Hanig in 2001, this friendly cow is made of bronze. It's about 1.4 meters (4.5 feet) tall and 2.4 meters (8 feet) long, making it a fun and approachable piece of art.

Gentlemen (The Standing Figures)

At 330 North Wabash, you might spot a group of sculptures called Gentlemen. These bronze figures were created by Ju Ming in 2015. They are known for their simple, block-like shapes, which give them a strong and calm presence.

Statue of Michael Jordan (The Basketball Legend)

If you're a basketball fan, you'll love the Statue of Michael Jordan outside the United Center. This bronze and granite sculpture was made by Omri Amrany and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany in 1994. It stands about 3.7 meters (12 feet) tall and shows the legendary basketball player in action.

Grand Fountains and Mosaics

Chicago also has beautiful fountains and impressive mosaics that add to the city's artistic flair.

Buckingham Fountain (The Water Show)

Buckingham Fountain at night, with its water jets illuminated.

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park is one of the largest fountains in the world! It was designed by Daniel Burnham and officially opened in 1927. The fountain has amazing water shows with jets shooting water high into the air, especially beautiful at night when it's lit up. It represents Lake Michigan, with four sea horses symbolizing the four states bordering the lake.

Crown Fountain (The Face Fountain)

The interactive Crown Fountain in Millennium Park.

Also in Millennium Park, Crown Fountain is a unique and interactive art piece by Jaume Plensa, opened in 2004. It features two tall glass block towers, each about 15.2 meters (50 feet) high. Digital videos of Chicago residents' faces are projected onto the towers, and water appears to spout from their mouths, making it a fun place to cool off in summer.

Fountain of the Great Lakes (The Symbolic Fountain)

The Fountain of the Great Lakes at the Art Institute of Chicago.

At the Art Institute of Chicago, you'll find the Fountain of the Great Lakes. This bronze fountain was created by Lorado Taft in 1913. It stands about 6.7 meters (22 feet) tall and shows five women pouring water from shells, symbolizing the five Great Lakes.

Fountain of Time (The Long Sculpture)

The impressive Fountain of Time in Washington Park.

In Washington Park, there's a massive sculpture called Fountain of Time. Also created by Lorado Taft, it was finished in 1922. This concrete sculpture is huge, measuring about 7.3 meters (24 feet) tall and 38.6 meters (127 feet) long! It features a hooded figure of Time watching over a parade of 100 human figures.

Four Seasons (The Colorful Mosaic)

The vibrant Four Seasons mosaic by Marc Chagall.

At the Chase Tower, you can see the beautiful Four Seasons mosaic. This artwork was created by Marc Chagall in 1974. It's made of colorful glass pieces and is very large, about 14.3 meters (47 feet) tall and 3 meters (10 feet) wide. It shows different scenes representing the four seasons, full of bright colors and dream-like figures.

Muddy Waters Mural (The Music Tribute)

On 17 N. State St., Chicago, IL, you can see the amazing Muddy Waters Mural. This huge mural was painted by Eduardo Kobra in May 2016. It's nine stories tall and honors the famous blues musician Muddy Waters, bringing vibrant art and music history to the city streets.

Historical Statues Around the City

Chicago also has many statues honoring important historical figures.

Statue of Alexander Hamilton (The Founding Father)

The Statue of Alexander Hamilton in Lincoln Park.

In Lincoln Park, you'll find the Statue of Alexander Hamilton. This bronze sculpture was created by John Angel in 1952. Alexander Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Statue of Alexander von Humboldt (The Explorer)

The Statue of Alexander von Humboldt in Humboldt Park.

In Humboldt Park, there's a Statue of Alexander von Humboldt. This bronze sculpture was made by Felix Görling in 1892. Alexander von Humboldt was a famous German explorer and scientist.

Statue of Leif Erikson (The Viking Explorer)

The Statue of Leif Erikson in Humboldt Park.

Also in Humboldt Park, you can see the Statue of Leif Erikson. This bronze sculpture was created by Sigvald Asbjørnsen in 1901. Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer believed to be the first European to reach North America.

Statue of Richard J. Oglesby (The Illinois Governor)

The Statue of Richard J. Oglesby in Lincoln Park.

In Lincoln Park, there's a Statue of Richard J. Oglesby. This bronze and granite sculpture was made by Leonard Crunelle in 1919. Richard J. Oglesby was an important politician who served as the Governor of Illinois three times.

Statue of William McKinley (The U.S. President)

The Statue of William McKinley in McKinley Park.

In McKinley Park, you'll find the Statue of William McKinley. This bronze and granite sculpture was created by Charles Mulligan in 1905. William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States.

Ulysses S. Grant Monument (The Civil War General)

The Ulysses S. Grant Monument in Lincoln Park.

Another important historical statue in Lincoln Park is the Ulysses S. Grant Monument. This bronze sculpture was made by Louis Rebisso and unveiled in 1891. It honors Ulysses S. Grant, who was a famous general during the American Civil War and later became the 18th President of the United States. The monument is quite tall, standing about 18.5 meters (60 feet) high.

Statue of Ceres (The Goddess of Grain)

The Statue of Ceres atop the Chicago Board of Trade Building.

High atop the Chicago Board of Trade Building, you can spot the Statue of Ceres. This sculpture was created by John Storrs in 1930. Ceres is the Roman goddess of agriculture and grain. Her statue on this building symbolizes Chicago's history as a major center for trading grain.

Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame (The Business Leaders)

Sculptures from the Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame.

At the Merchandise Mart Plaza, you'll find the Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame. This collection of bronze sculptures was created by several artists, including Minna Harkavy and Milton Horn, starting in 1953. It honors important leaders in business and industry.

Images for kids

The Statue of Alexander Hamilton in Lincoln Park.
The Statue of Alexander von Humboldt in Humboldt Park.
Buckingham Fountain at night, with its water jets illuminated.
The Statue of Ceres atop the Chicago Board of Trade Building.
The Chicago Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza.
The interactive Crown Fountain in Millennium Park.
The bright red Flamingo sculpture.
The Fountain of the Great Lakes at the Art Institute of Chicago.
The impressive Fountain of Time in Washington Park.
The vibrant Four Seasons mosaic by Marc Chagall.
The Statue of Leif Erikson in Humboldt Park.
Sculptures from the Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame.
Monument with Standing Beast outside the James R. Thompson Center.
The Statue of Richard J. Oglesby in Lincoln Park.
The Statue of William McKinley in McKinley Park.
The Ulysses S. Grant Monument in Lincoln Park.

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List of public art in Chicago Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.