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Three Art Activations Feature Dozens of Objects Showcasing Chicago Artists

Pictured (L to R): Selections from Midway Public Art displays including Lorraine Hansberry, 30” x 36” oil on canvas by Steve Musgrave; Michelle, Mr. B. Jessican and Javell, Old Fashioned Donuts (Roseland) by Jonathan Michael Castillo; and Model for Cloud Gate, 2004 Stainless steel.

CHICAGO— Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) welcomed the first new public art installations at Midway International Airport with a dedication event. Featuring dozens of objects from the City of Chicago’s Public Art Collection, these installations are part of an ongoing exhibition to celebrate our city’s rich diversity and influence on American art and culture, showcasing many Chicago-based artists including photographer Jonathan Michael Castillo and illustrator Steve Musgrave. Travelers will encounter the impactful art activations as they leave the airport from the Concourse to the Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation.

“Public art embodies the spirit of Chicago — our resilience, diversity and vibrant culture,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “With these new installations, we are proud to share our city's story and the power of the arts with visitors from across the globe. I commend Commissioner Hedspeth for her visionary leadership in showing the world the soul of Chicago through these dynamic activations.”

“In Chicago, we’re fortunate to have two international airports — and a 750-piece Public Art Collection, which I consider ‘The people’s art collection,’” shared DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “Our new public art installations at Midway reflect the immense talent present in Chicago’s artistic communities, and our city’s cultural impact worldwide. From Jonathan Michael Castillo’s moving portraits of real, hard-working Chicagoans to Steve Musgrave’s imaginative tributes to our literary giants, we look forward to continuing to curate this exhibition space as an uplifting entry into our great city.”

“For millions of passengers, Midway is their first impression of Chicago — and there is no better way to showcase the essence, the diversity, and the beauty of our city than through the arts,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “I thank Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Hedspeth, and Chicago’s artists for this incredible partnership.”

The new public art installations at Midway International Airport include:

• A series of photographs on glass by celebrated Chicago-based artist Jonathan Michael Castillo, who was commissioned by DCASE and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development to develop a work in response to the 2023 Citywide Plan. The collection of photographs celebrates 38 Black and Latinx-owned small businesses and their workers. The images were taken primarily in Chicago’s South and West side neighborhoods, including neighborhoods surrounding Midway.
• Paintings and sculptures from the Chicago Public Library public art collection featuring legendary artists such as Roger Brown, Alison Saar, and Hollis Sigler — as well as the model for Anish Kapoor’s iconic “Cloud Gate.”
• A series of paintings by Steve Musgrave, paying homage to the great diversity of some of Illinois’ most prolific writers, who inspire us and capture our imaginations. These 30” x 36” oil on canvas paintings are part of the City’s collection at the Near North Library.

The DCASE Public Art team is currently managing nearly 80 public art projects in airports, libraries, transit hubs, and other spaces — totaling $11 million in investments across 26 wards in 2024. Among the ongoing projects is a neighborhood mural initiative, led by DCASE in collaboration with Chicago-based artists and community organizations featuring recent installations at public sites in Humboldt Park, the West Loop, Bronzeville and Woodlawn/Washington Park. Additional murals will debut this fall in the Edgewater, Mayfair, South Chicago and Uptown communities. These new neighborhood murals interpret themes of democracy, civic duty, diversity, equity and inclusion and also celebrate Chicago’s Blues and House music legacies. For more details, please visit Chicago.gov/PublicArt.

Neighborhoods: Public Art and Libraries in Chicago

Believing that art is a necessary component of civic life, the City of Chicago Public Art Program has placed over 750 works of art created by more than 300 artists in over 140 public spaces and municipal facilities across the city. In 1978, the City of Chicago was one of the first municipalities in the United States to implement a Percent-for-Art program that mandates 1.33% of the cost of public buildings be set aside for the creation of artwork for the publicly accessible spaces of its built environment. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events through the Chicago Public Art Program works with the Chicago Public Library in the selection of artworks for new libraries. This capsule exhibit features work from Chicago Public Library’s Harold Washington Library Center, Archives and Special Collections Division, and Near North Branch.

From Harold Washington Library Center:

• Alison Saar
  Sleeping Beauty, 1991
  Wood, tin, paint, plastic
• Roger Brown
  Snake Charmer, 1990
  Oil on canvas
• Hollis Sigler
  Goin’ to the River for the Promised Land, 1984
  Oil on canvas

From the Millennium Park, Inc. Collection at Harold Washington Library Center:

• Anish Kapoor
  Model for Cloud Gate, 2004
  Stainless steel

From Near North Branch:

• Steve Musgrave
  Selections from 16 Illinois Writers, 2000
  30” x 36” Oil on canvas

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

Chicago Department of Aviation
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) owns and operates one of the world's busiest airport systems, comprised of O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago's airports offer service to more than 260 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 76 international destinations, combined. Together, Chicago's airports serve nearly 100 million passengers each year and generate approximately $70 billion in annual economic activity for the region while supporting 700,000 jobs throughout nine counties. More than 54,000 employees work directly at O’Hare and Midway. The CDA is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at either airport. For more information, visit flychicago.com.