Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD) in coordination with Meztli Mexico and in partnership with the College of DuPage Public Art Project (COD) and the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) present “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy” now through Oct. 15.
This exciting outdoor exhibit featuring 33 large, brightly colored, hand-painted fiberglass renditions of iconic Mesoamerican sculptures is on displayed predominantly throughout suburban Chicago’s DuPage County. The lobby of the McAninch Arts Center, located at 425 Fawell Blvd., features an informative Olmec educational exhibition and takeaway maps of the sculpture locations making it the perfect stepping off point for viewing the works.
The original colossal stone heads, crafted by the Olmecs between 1400 BCE to 400 BCE, originated in the southern part of Veracruz, Mexico, the cultural heart of this early Mesoamerican civilization. Each multi-ton sculpture, sculpted from a single stone using primitive tools, reflected the Olmecs' artistic prowess and their significant influence on subsequent Mesoamerican cultures. Today, these iconic heads are celebrated globally as prime examples of pre-Columbian art and adorn various museums and public spaces. Notably, the Olmecs, Mesoamerica's earliest civilization, left enduring legacies, including the precursor to sports like basketball and soccer.
“Olmec Trails” pays tribute to the indigenous roots of Mexican heritage as well as brings attention to the importance of public art by showcasing the immense talent and creativity of 33 contemporary artists from across North America. Installations are located predominantly in DuPage County and include 10 installations located on the walking paths of College of DuPage; six at St. James Farm in Warrenville, Ill.; three at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, Ill.; three at Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, Ill.; and one in the following locations: Naperville’s downtown and 95 St. Public Libraries; Great Western Prairie Path in Elmhurst, Ill.; Glen Ellyn Prairie Path in Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago Public Library, West Chicago Park District and Kruse House in the City of West Chicago, Ill. and Wheaton Prairie Path in Wheaton, Ill.
Installations outside of DuPage County include the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Ill. and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. The latter is in honor of Carlos Tortolero, the museum’s President Emeritus and Founder, and the inspiration behind the project.
A list of location addresses is included below. Information on each work and its artist can be found at www.olmectrails.com and by clicking the QR code on the base of each sculpture.
Support for “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy” is provided in part by the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, College of DuPage, the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Illinois Office of Tourism and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Artist support is provided in part by Meztli Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Arts Alliance.
Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD)
The Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD) has built a long-standing reputation and stands as a beacon of cultural expression, emphasizing expansive community public art projects deeply rooted in Mexican traditions. In 2022, MCCD joined forces with Meztli and embarked on the "Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World", at Cantigny Park, Wheaton, Ill. The exhibit emerged as the largest display of “Alebrijes Monumentales” outside Mexico. As champions of Mexican arts in America, MCCD caters to the population of 43 million Americans of Mexican lineage. MCCD is a founding member of the Mexican Cultural Arts Alliance (MCAA). MCAA is a bi-national alliance of Mexican-led organizations led by the National Museum of Mexican Art. For more information about MCCD, visit www.MCCDuPage.org.
College of DuPage Public Art Project (COD)
The COD DuPage Public Art Project proposed by MAC Director Diana Martinez, was approve by the COD Board of Trustees in October 2020 with the goal of initiating public art events and art installations throughout DuPage County. The idea of the project was inspired by the announcement by COD President Dr. Brian Caputo of the Arts, Culture and Community Engagement Pillar of the College’s 2021-2026 Strategic Long-Range Plan. The COD Public Art Committee partnership with Glen Ellyn kicked off with the September 2021 installation of the Tony Fitzpatrick murals. Additional projects have included October 2021 “Chalk the Walk” community initiative featuring art by 3D chalk artist Nate Baranowski, the travelling installation “Glen Ellyn Letters” created by Juan Chawuk, and “The Grove” Glen Ellyn Taylor Avenue pedestrian underpass tunnel mural. For more information about the COD Public Art Project, visit
www.theccma.org/codpubart.
DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB)
DCVB is the official destination marketing organization for DuPage County, Illinois' second largest County, comprised of 38 communities. The DCVB works in partnership with community business and civic leaders to maximize travel and tourism opportunities which contribute to the economic vitality of the County and its residents. For more information, visit
www.DiscoverDuPage.com.
PLACEMENTS
# of works Location
10 COD Prairie and MAC Lobby, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, Ill.
6 St. James Farm, 2S. 541 Winfield Rd., Warrenville, Ill.
3 Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook, Ill.
3 Fullersburg Woods 3609 Spring Rd., Oak Brook, Ill.
1 National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago
1 Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Rd., City of West Chicago, Ill.
1 Kruse House, 527 Main St., City of West Chicago, Ill.
1 West Chicago Park District, Freemont St. and Arbor Ave., City of West Chicago, Ill.
1 West Chicago Public Library, 18 West Washington St., City of West Chicago, Ill.
1 Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, Ill.
1 Elmhurst Great Western Prairie Path, Spring Rd. and Prairie Path (Spring Rd. Bus. Dist.), Elmhurst, Ill.
1 Glen Ellyn Prairie Path & Main, Forest Ave. and Duane St. at the Train Station Glen Ellyn, Ill.
1 Naperville Public Library, 95th, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr., Naperville, Ill.
1 Naperville Public Library Downtown, 200 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, Ill.
1 Wheaton (Prairie Path), Corner of W. Liberty Dr. and Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, Ill.