2026 Chicago Wayfinding Initiative

 

Greater Chatham Wayfinding Sign


Chicago Wayfinding Initiative

In Jan 2026, Choose Chicago announced a new community focused

 Neighborhood Wayfinding Initiative

in collaboration with Chicago Mayor's Office.

It is designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore, learn from, and spend time in Chicago neighborhoods.

Growth of Public Art in Chicago

 Public Art in Chicago

Chicago Loop / La Tormenta - by Inigo Manglano-Ovalle

La Tormenta - by Inigo Manglano-Ovalle



La Tormenta / The Storm - by Inigo Manglano Ovalle

Installed: 2006

Fiberglass and Titanium Alloy Foil

Location: 101 W Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago

Commissioned by US GSA Art-in-Architecture program

Born in Spain, artist Inigo Manglano-Ovalle explored the ways individual affect and are affected by complex systems. Through space forms and diverse media his work examins subjects like economics, politics and immigration. He often uses weather as a metaphor to engage these topics.

Chicago South / NMSP / Hand Heart - by Jason Pickelman

Hand Heart - by Jason Pickelman

Hand Heart - by Jason Pickelman

2021

Fiberglass / 54 x 70 x 17 inches

Location: Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (NMSP)

aka... the NATE

At Governors State University

ICON series:  Hand Heart is part of Jason Pickelman's "Icons" series. The Icons series explores universal qualities in enduring cultural symbology through works in painting and sculpture, including pieces as Hourglass and Hand Heart.

Chicago South / Beverly neighborhood / Where Dreams Begin - by Marshall Svendsen

Where Dreams Begin - by Marshall Svendsen

 

Where Dream Begins  - by Marshall Svendsen

Installed: 2014

Location: King-Lockhart Park

10609 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643

Chicago South / Beverly neighborhood / First Responders Memorial

First Responders Memorial

Chicago First Responders Memorial

The Memorial features a beam of steel placed vertically with it's foundation featuring "Chicago", "New York" and "First Responders". The beam of steel is from the World Trade Center that was destroyed in the terrorist attack on Sep 11, 2001. 

Sculpture by Terrence Karpowitz

Tom Potter did the concrete work for the memorial

Unveiled : June 22, 2019

Location: Lockhart Park

10609 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60643

The Memorial was created in honor of Herbie Johnson, a Chicago firefighter from Morgan Park, who assisted in the recovery efforts in New York after Sep 11.  Johnson, along with dozens of other Chicagoans traveled to New York City to help with the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack. The Fire Department of New York gifted the steel after Johnson died in the line of duty in 2012.

Chicago South / Beverly neighborhood / Quantum Me (2017) - by Davis McCarty

 

Quantum Me - by Davis McCarty

2017

Metra Beverly Hills Station

99th Street and Walden Parkway

 50 x 50 Neighborhood Arts Project

Ward 19 / Alderman Matthew O’Shea 

Quantum Me literally and figuratively reflects its surroundings. Multicolored panes of purple, green, and amber dichroic Plexiglas support a stainless-steel sphere that creates a kaleidoscopic experience unique to each passerby. A second piece by McCarty, Quantum Dee, located in the Rogers Park neighborhood in the 50th Ward, is an inversion of this sculpture. 

Chicago North / Lake Forest / American Legion Memorial for McKinlock Post 264

American Legion Memorial for McKinlock Post 264

American Legion Memorial for McKinlock Post 264

Dedicated: 2023

Memorial to the fallen soldiers of Lake Forest

Designed by Gary Tillery

who also sculpted the white bronze eagle on the black granite.

Location: 801 N. McKinley Road, 

Lake Forest, IL 60045

Chicago - Near North Side / Pioneer Court / Bust of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable - by Erik Blome

Jean-Baptiste Pointe SuSable

Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable

Sculptor: Erik Blome

Installed: 2009

Location: Pioneer Court

Chicago North / Northwestern University / Block Museum Campus Art Walk

Curved Form (1961) - Barbara Hepworth

 

Northwestern University - Block Museum Campus Art Walk

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