DuPage Gets on the WARHOL Bandwagon with Public Art, Events & More

A longtime galvanizer of arts and culture throughout DuPage County, College of DuPage (COD) and its Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and McAninch Arts Center (MAC) have inspired the Village of Glen Ellyn and more than two dozen neighboring communities plus College of DuPage to join in a celebration of the Pop Art icon Andy Warhol this summer. The impetus of the celebration is the CCMA and MAC’s comprehensive and multifaceted WARHOL exhibition, featuring “Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop | Works from the Bank of America Collection.” WARHOL runs June 3 – Sept. 10, 2023.

Artwork showcased in WARHOL includes 94 works from “Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop | Works from the Bank of America Collection” on loan through Bank of America’s Art in our Communities® program. The exhibition also features additional original Warhol works from the COD Permanent Art Collection, plus interactive exhibits, recreations and videos created exclusively for this exhibition.

Andy Warhol is perhaps one of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century and his fame extended to the entire Pop Art movement. Now, cities, villages, organizations and businesses in DuPage County are enthusiastically infusing the Warhol spirit into special events, programing, Warhol-inspired public art, locally produced gourmet treats and more to show their civic pride, celebrate this summer’s WARHOL exhibition and encourage visitors to discover what each community has to offer.

“We’re thrilled with how DuPage County has gotten on the Warhol wagon to celebrate this exciting, unprecedented exhibition,” says MAC Director Diana Martinez. “With their enthusiastic and creative support, DuPage County will be the place to go for everyone this summer.”

“You don’t get more authentic than this,” said DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Beth Marchetti. “This is the DuPage experience -- where arts & culture come to life, celebrated and beautifully delivered by the people and places that make DuPage itself a special place to live and visit. We look forward to welcoming guests from all over the country and helping them explore our charming downtowns, outdoor escapes, and the best shopping, dining and entertainment outside of Chicago."

A sampling of just some of what communities have to offer follows:

Warhol-Inspired Public Art and Décor Projects:

● DuPage Warhol Public Pop Art Project. 19 area communities including Addison, Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville, Oak Brook, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Winfield, Wheaton, Woodridge and College of DuPage have selected four notable local faces whose headshots will be transformed into a colorful Warhol-styled mural by local artist Geoff Bevington as part of The Pop Art Challenge. (The Pop Art Challenge is sponsored by The JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation and the College of DuPage (COD) Public Arts Project, an initiative hosted by the COD and MAC as part of its mission to partner with communities in DuPage County to complete public art installations and community-art projects.)

● Downtown Light Pole Banners in Glen Ellyn, Lisle and Wheaton

● Downtown Décor / Art including Warhol Walkways in Glen Ellyn and Disco-themed décor in downtown Naperville and Wheaton, and painted fire hydrants in Wheaton

● Warhol Soup Wrapped Barrels in Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Lisle, Roselle and Wheaton and others. Some locations will also be collecting food for local food shelters.

Art Shows, Special Exhibits and Classes:

● Warhol Public Art Shows presented by the DuPage Art League, Elmhurst Artist Guild, Naperville Artist Guild, Roselle Arts League and Westmont Downtown Association

● Warhol Partnering Exhibits including “Marvelocity” a special Pop Art Exhibit at the Elmhurst Art Museum, DuPage Children’s Museum and an Umbrella Sky Project in Elmhurst

● Warhol Inspired Art Classes at the Lisle Park District, Lisle’s The Collective lhe + Makery and Shiny Squirrel Art Studio, multiple libraries and the DuPage Art League.

Special Events:

● Lectures on Warhol and the exhibition. Now through Sept. 7 nearly two dozen lectures will be presented at art centers, libraries, park districts in DuPage County. Speakers will alternate between MAC Director Diana Martinez, CCMA Director and Curator Justin Witte and CCMA Assistant Curator Julia Walker

● Warhol-Themed Parade Presences in the Roselle Rose Parade, Glen Ellyn July 4th Parade and Chicago Gay Pride Parade

● Warhol Music Concerts at the Wheaton Municipal band shell, Naper Settlement, Aurora, and on Lombard Cruise nights

● Warhol Scavenger Hunts in Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Naperville and Wheaton

● A Warhol Fashion Show: Lombard History Center

● Disco in the Walkway and Warhol Wine Night (Glen Ellyn)

● Pop Art Heist and Live Painting & Music Night (Wheaton).

Local businesses including Roselle’s Lynfred Winery and Pollyanna Brewing, Glen Ellyn’s Two Hound Red Brewing Co. and Chocolaterie Stam, Wheaton’s Grampa Franks Caramels and St. Charles’ Gindo’s Hot Sauce will also be creating original Warhol-inspired wares. Area businesses including hotels such as the DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle Naperville and restaurants, including Reserve 22 will also be offering special menus and/or discounts.

This list will continue to grow so for the most up-to-date information visit Warhol2023.org and #Warhol2023 on Facebook.