In partnership with the Elmhurst Park District and consulting by RGL Marketing for the Arts, Elmhurst Art Museum announces the return of Art in Wilder Park to the heart of Elmhurst this spring. The first outdoor festival of the season, Art in Wilder Park features over 125 exhibitors including local artists, food vendors, a designated Kids Court for family activities, and more. The free-to-the-public event regularly attracts over 8,000 people to the museum campus and takes place May 6-7, from 10 am to 5 pm, at 175 S. Cottage Hill Ave in Elmhurst.
The highly-anticipated juried festival Art in Wilder Park features a variety of artisans selling one-of-a-kind jewelry, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, fiber arts, and mouthwatering treats from local food vendors. For the 26th annual Art in Wilder Park, Elmhurst Art Museum presents a newly-commissioned public art installation Superheroes in Wilder Park featuring life-sized superhero sculptures by area artists and youth groups. On view from May 6 to July 31, Superheroes in Wilder Park is a bold preview of the museum’s summer blockbuster show Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross (May 28-August 20, 2023) that features work by one of the greatest artists in the field of comic books.
Presenting an even larger, more inclusive, and accessible event for the whole family this year, Art in Wilder Park will host a variety of kid’s activities planned with over 20 community organizations and special appearances by costumed heroes from the League of Enchantment.
“The Elmhurst Art Museum is excited to expand Art in Wilder Park with more exhibiting artists from across the Midwest and attract new audiences with a ‘super’ public art installation this year,” said John McKinnon, Executive Director of the Elmhurst Art Museum.
“We are excited for the 26th annual Art in Wilder Park, a renowned community event held each spring with large offerings for the entire family,” said The Honorable Scott Levin, Mayor of Elmhurst. “We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors from near and far to enjoy a day at the park, support local restaurants, artisans, and businesses, and celebrate all that the event has to offer.”
Superheroes in Wilder Park features new works by Rafael Blanco, Nez Garza, Dave Pryor, and Charles Williams Jr. along with pieces created by Robert Apolinar with Elmhurst University students, Esmeralda Bolivar with the Elmhurst Pride Collective, John Nester with Glenbard North High School students, and Gloria Rivera with B. Unity mentees.
A full Art in Wilder Park exhibitor list is available at elmhurstartmuseum.org/events.
Art in Wilder Park is produced by the Elmhurst Art Museum in partnership with Elmhurst Park District and consulting by RGL Marketing for the Arts, Inc. Presented sponsor Kelly Stetler | Compass. Festival sponsors: Chiro One Wellness Centers, Comfort Showers and Bath, Discover DuPage, Explore Elmhurst, The Home Improvement Network, Illinois Office of Tourism, Mosaic Counseling & Wellness, John Noldan / Guaranteed Rate, and Window Works. Kids Court Sponsor: Elmhurst Bank. Special Event Sponsors: Chicago Event Graphics and Unlimited Heating & Cooling.
Superheroes in Wilder Park is presented by the Elmhurst Art Museum in partnership with the Elmhurst Park District. Sponsored by the DuPage Foundation, with additional support from Discover DuPage, Illinois Office of Tourism, Kilwins Elmhurst, Lakeside Bank, Maxine, Lisa O’Brien Real Estate, Phase Three Brewing Company, Reconciled Solutions, Kelly Stetler | Compass, and Total Window Treatments. Production support by DIT Workshops.
About the Elmhurst Art Museum’s 2023 Season
This year the Elmhurst Art Museum will host two blockbuster exhibitions, Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross (May 28-August 20, 2023) and Picasso: Fifty Years Later (September 9, 2023-January 7, 2024).
Marvelocity will feature cover art, sketches, life-sized head busts, and more created by Alex Ross from his home in the Chicago area. For nearly 30 years, Ross has revitalized classic superheroes into works of fine art, illustrating characters such as Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Storm from the X-Men, the Avengers, Black Panther, and many more. Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross is a traveling exhibition originally developed by the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, Illinois.
Picasso: Fifty Years Later is part of the global tribute to Pablo Picasso 50 years after his death. Works by Picasso, his modern peers, and contemporary figurative artists will provide context for his lasting influence and legacy.
The Elmhurst Art Museum is located at 150 South Cottage Hill Avenue in Elmhurst (IL), 25 minutes from downtown Chicago by car or public transportation (Metra). On the museum’s campus is the McCormick House, a single-family home designed in 1952 by Mies van der Rohe, one of the great architects of the 20th Century. The McCormick House is one of only three residences designed and built by Mies in the United States – and one of only two open to the public.
The Museum is open Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Regular admission prices are $18 for Adults (ages 18+), $15 for Seniors, $10 for Students, and $5 for Children. For more information, please call 630.834.0202 or visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.