Glen Ellyn Public Art
Public art brings life, excitement and charm to the village of Glen Ellyn. Don't miss our traveling exhibits and take the day to browse through our murals and read each artists' statement. Much of the public art was initiated by College of DuPage Public Art Project, a College of DuPage McAninich Arts Center initiative
Temporary Public Art Exhibits
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Traveling Exhibit: Wednesday, May 29, to Sunday, June 2, 2024
Location: College of DuPage
A 3/5 scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., the traveling wall stands 6 feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. The exhibit serves as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War and
Traveling Exhibit: Wednesday, May 29, to Sunday, June 2, 2024
Location: College of DuPage
A 3/5 scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., the traveling wall stands 6 feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. The exhibit serves as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War and was created to help heal and rekindle friendships. It also provides access for people across the suburbs who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington.
Cicadas on Parade
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Temporary Public Art: Arriving in mid-May through August 2024
Location: Throughout Downtown Glen Ellyn
Embrace the summer of the cicada and visit Downtown Glen Ellyn to see 25 hand painted cicada art sculptures. These cicadas are painted via local artist and storefront owners which will be placed in flowerpots, trees and windows throughout
Temporary Public Art: Arriving in mid-May through August 2024
Location: Throughout Downtown Glen Ellyn
Embrace the summer of the cicada and visit Downtown Glen Ellyn to see 25 hand painted cicada art sculptures. These cicadas are painted via local artist and storefront owners which will be placed in flowerpots, trees and windows throughout the downtown. Cicada Parade-a is a large-scale collaborative art project organized by The Insect Asylum. This project celebrates Illinois’ 17-year and 13-year cicada broods.
Olmec Trails
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Olmec Trails
Temporary Public Art: June - October 2024
Location: Glen Ellyn Prairie Path Park, College of DuPage & throughout DuPage County
Featuring 33 painted Mexican Mesoamerican sculptures displayed outside throughout DuPage County. Olmec Trails will connect spectators to one-of-a-kind works while providing healthy and enjoyable outdoor experiences.
Glen Ellyn Public Art
Glen Ellyn Inspired Warhol Pop Art
Artist: Geoff Bevington, 2023
Location: Sign of the Whale, 558 Crescent Blvd, Glen Ellyn
Featuring four Glen Ellyn natives:
- Sean Hayes: actor, comedian
- Laurie Anderson: artist, composer, musician, and film director
- Katherine Dunham: dancer, choreographer, author, anthropologist, social activist, and humanitarian
- Jeffrey Deaver: bestselling author
Geoff created more than 100 Warhol-style portraits of famous and 'should-be-famous' individuals across DuPage County, to recognize and celebrate their contributions to our community.
The Grove
Artist: Juan De La Mora, 2022
Location: Taylor Avenue Tunnel Mural
“The Grove” references Prospect Park, in the late 19th century. The thousand-acre grove was made up of many trees, spanning both sides of the DuPage River. The mural engages the public by inviting them to pass though "The Grove," from both sides and experience nature's four seasons and its influence on the change in skies and tree canopies year after year.
Glen Ellyn Letters
Artist: Juan Chawuk, 2022
Location: Traveling throughout Glen Ellyn, when not traveling it is residing on the 3rd floor in the Village Civic Center
The COD Public Art Project worked with Mexican artist Juan Chawuk to create custom paintings featuring landmarks of Glen Ellyn hand painted on three dimensional letters that spell out the village’s name.
The Chocolate Tree
Artist: Name, Date
Location: Stam Chocolaterie, 530 Pennsylvania Blvd, Glen Ellyn
The Chocolate Tree invites you to see the beauty of fall foliage and splendid nature surrounding Glen Ellyn.
Downtown Glen Ellyn Murals
Artist: Tony Fitzpatrick, 2021
Location: Lewey Q's Tap, 427 Main Street, Glen Ellyn
These graphically rich and inventive works deliver messages and stories that reflect on the artist’s connection to Chicago, his social and political concerns and our shared changing reality. “While Tony’s artwork is deeply influenced by the Chicagoland area it is recognized around the world,” said Cleve Carney Museum of Art Curator Justin Witte. “Tony is one of the most well-known artists working in Chicago today and we are thrilled to be able to open our new space with an exhibition of his work.”
Frida
Artist: Geoff Bevington, 2020
Location: Olive 'n Vinnie's, 449 Main St, Glen Ellyn
Honoring Mexican icon Frida Kahlo in celebration with the McAninch Arts Center and Cleve Carney Museum of Art exhibit, Frida Kahlo Timeless.
Painting Frida, with background help from students at Hadley Junior Highschool and St. Petronille, was a wonderful project. Painting so close to the Prairie Path meant Geoff spoke with many art lovers and well-wishers as he created the mural.
It's About Time
Artist: Alberto Aguilar, 2003
Location: 528 Duane St, Glen Ellyn
Artist Statement: "Time and its changes leave a residue that is physical and spiritual, seen and unseen. This mural is an attempt to make that phenomenon into something concrete."
This mural was designed and painted by Art Instructor Alberto Aguilar and his 2003 COD Mural Design class who conducted research in town at the library and at the historic Stacey's Tavern Museum to come up with the imagery.
Top Cow
Cows on Parade in Chicago, 2000
Location: Career Vision, 526 Main St, Glen Ellyn
As part of 1999’s Cows on Parade, the world’s largest public art exhibit, this bovine beauty graced the center median of Michigan Avenue on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. From 2000, Top Cow made her home on the grounds of Ball Horticultural Company. She arrived at the Ball Foundation and Career Vision in the Spring of 2013. Proceeds from her purchase benefited the Y-Me breast cancer awareness group.
Settlers
Artist: Dan Rhodes, 1937
Location: Glen Ellyn Post Office, 528 Pennsylvania Ave, Glen Ellyn
Residing in the lobby of the downtown Post Office, this mural entitled Settlers is oil on canvas, and located on the wall above the postmasters door. The mural depicts a group of settlers constructing a house.
This piece is a result from the Work Projects Administration (WPA), an American New Deal agency that employed millions of jobseekers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads. It was set up on May 6, 1935, by presidential order, as a key part of the Second New Deal.
Horse Trough
Cast Iron, 1907
Location: Glen Ellyn Civic Center, 535 Duane St, Glen Ellyn
Long an icon of the Village of Glen Ellyn, the cast-iron horse trough was donated to the Village in 1907 by William C. Newton, a prominent businessman and a trustee on the Village's first Board, which held its inaugural meeting on August 1, 1882. He was the son of Dr. Lewey Newton, one of Glen Ellyn's earliest settlers and the town's first doctor.
