Currently off view whilst renovations are being done on the Chase Tower. Possibly for lat next year…read moreviewing.

I really enjoy Chagall. The America Windows are my favorite exhibit in the Art Institute; my…read moreworkplace has reproductions of some of his works, and then there's The Four Seasons. It certainly helps too that I love murals and mosaics. It depicts the seasons in Chicago, which truly is a city that can experience them all (although I feel like spring and sometimes fall get the short shrift). This work was made in Europe and shipped here for installation, which I was surprised to learn. It also continued to be modified by Chagall after the installation, with bits of brick from Chicago also added at times to make it even more native to this space. It's one of a kind, and we're fortunate to have so much public art by world-reknown artists littered about our downtown.

11/2/2025- My first…read moremural pic and review.. On my daily morning walk last week-.. I remember seeing this one behind our Chevron..and Tahoe Natural Cafe-.. Our murals depict our city and the creative artists in town!

I think mural paintings are so creative on a large scale. It seems that no matter where you…read moretravel, you can always see a mural or two that may be cultural or simply a message to others. As many artists use spray cans to paint on the huge canvas, it takes a certain skill to get the proportions correct. While many sketch their theme before spraying, I have also seen artists just do their thing. Creativity at its best provided it's agreed upon prior to display.

You will find this very intriguing statue in Daley Plaza. There is metered street parking and lots…read moreof parking garages available within a reason able walking distance, but most people viewing this statue will be passers by on their way to another destination. The statue is the work of Pablo Picasso, yes, that Picasso, who created the piece in 1967. It is made of solid steel and weighs 162 tons. It stands 50 feet tall. The abstract sculpture is intended to resemble the head of Picasso's Afghan hound. This is an iconic piece that just draws your attention. I find it interesting that Picasso is known for his paintings, but was also a decent sculpture in his own right. I really like this piece. I acknowledge that it is not a destination piece, but it is still worth a peek if you are in the area.

This statue has no official name, but it's called The Picasso because the man himself created it…read more I'm not a fan of Picasso, I'll say that straightaway. However it's quite a boon that Chicago was able to get an artist of his magnitude to design a sculpture in our great city, in a time when public art was mostly limited to historical figures. I do think it's fun that Picasso said that although he doesn't do commissions, he had the opportunity to do a project for the two great gangster cities (apparently the other was Marseilles). The Picasso doesn't do much for me as a piece of artwork, but I do understand the significance of the work and of the artist. And it's an easy landmark for visitors or meeting with friends. And it's an iconic Chicago landmark so that alone makes it special.

Fashion Focus 2008 is Chicago's own fashion week. This week is chalk-full of runway shows, shopping…read moreevents, neighborhood shopping, and educational seminars. It really is one of the very few opportunities Chicago has for the creative minds of fashion to unite, network, socialize, and flaunt their products! Many different organizations & institutions come together to put on the week, such as GenArt, Mayor's Fashion Council, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago fashion schools, local designers & boutiques, etc. It really does involve so many people from around the city & that's why it's such a special & unique week. Everything the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs puts on is free-ranging from runway shows to educational seminars. There is one downfall, but it will be fixed next year-the amount of people attending vs. the amount of seats/open spots in the runway tent. Since the event is free (a rarity in the fashion world) many people attend, so it gets a little chaotic. We're hoping to fix it by next year to ensure seating for those who RSVP. Fashion Focus 2008 ends tomorrow, but check out our website for other fashion-related events, internships, resume postings, and up-and-coming designers. Keep your eye out for next years Fashion Week Chicago & all the fun you can take part in!!

State Street is arguably less popular than Michigan Avenue, which has greater name recognition at…read morethe very least. But State does play an important function in that the intersection of State and Madison is the zero point for the Chicago Grid--that wonderful innovation that makes it so easy to fin you away around the city. The density and character of this street changes drastically as you drive it. In the Loop, it's full of lots of trendy restaurants and shops, hotels, and so on. The Chicago Theatre is right here amongst a bunch of other theaters on surrounding streets. I love wandering along State during the holiday season to see the holiday windows at Macy's. I haven't ever taken in the Thanksgiving parade, but I may just have to do that whilst I still live in Chicago.

North South through the loop! State Street is like the…read moresecond street in the Second City. It's kinda outdone by Michigan Ave, but State Street is a pretty impressive address too. It goes all the way through downtown, and there's plenty of history and shopping along this street. All addresses in the City of Chicago are measured from the intersection of State Street and Madison. That intersection is like the 0 mile marker for the city. It started off as a trail for cowboys and horses back in the day. Y'ah! Mayor Daley did a famous revitalization project back in the day which made this place a lot easier to navigate and really opened the street up. Walgreens has a flagship store on this street. Michael Jordan opened up his restaurant on this street! Sinatra sang about it- this street is legendary. There's lots of shopping, restaurants, and things to see and do along here. Every detail has been fretted over around here, as real estate is at a real premium along this famous street. Good luck finding any parking through here. Yea right.

If you have a problem, they pass you around to different people, get nothing done. So, you give…read moreup. No downtown to hang out at. It's all junk food franchises. If you live in a Cal D Sac, the island is all weeds (they never seed) and broken branches. They bring around the street sweeper before the leaves fall. Prestwick Place condos on Palatine own the pond behind them, never take care of it, never cut the grass or clean out the garbage in the water. This bag of garbage has been there for five days. Trees need trimming and cleanup around their pond. In the summer the pond is always covered in weeds because they don't treat the water.

Location location location…read more Near enough to I90 to be able to hop on and head toward any direction in 10 minutes... for a shorter work commute. Within a radius of 15min there are multiples of basically every type of grocery, pet, retail, home improvement and service store you could ever need. Post office, police station, town hall, golf course, a hospital, beautiful modern event center, 3 gorgeous forest preserves, the famous Willow Creek church, LifeTime Fitness, Woodfield, IKEA, and all the other great stores in the area. With all the commercial income, like auto dealers and stores, record low property taxes, wide, well-maintained streets, new shopping centers opening up, with ample parking. I really feel this place is basically the closest to having all the benefits of living in the City without the problems of congestion, crime, and lack of parking.

Project Windows is an annual contest hosted by Michigan Avenue Magazine in Chicago which partners…read morewith the Chicago Community, Chicago Shops, Local Restaurants, Hotels, and other Local Businesses to promote the current LARGE curated Exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago. It is a voluntary option for all of these entities to participate by using the thematic artist that is showcased in their Store Front Windows. Individuals can log onto the Project Windows Web Site and vote for their favorite Shop Window Exhibit that is an interpretation of the current artist and art exhibit on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. This Year-2020 the Exhibition was dedicated to Andy Warhol-Pop Art King in his "Retrospective" Exhibit Entitled: ANDY WARHOL-FROM A TO B AND BACK AGAIN My favorite Window Front Exhibits by local businesses were- 1. TeaGschwendner 1160 N State St Chicago, IL 60610 b/t Division St & Elm Streets Their window front featured Andy Warhol, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Queen Elizabeth of England and others sipping tea-each in their own Pop Art colorfully modern canvas while featuring a signature banana print at the base of the window front which had tea pots, tea cups, and other tea related accessories juxtaposed in a variety of bright colors and modern styles. (See Attached Pictures) 2. The Acme Hotel 15 E Ohio St Chicago, IL 60611 b/t Wabash Ave & State Streets Their Hotel Window featured a Christmas Tree with Andy Warhol's black glasses stuck into a Silver Christmas Tree and hanging images of famous celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Warhol himself. Under the Christmas Tree were gifts wrapped in Andy Warhol colorful celebrity prints and cans of Campbell's Tomato Soup! (See Attached Pictures) How are the Winners Chosen?- "An esteemed panel of judges is assembled to professionally judge all the entries and the public is invited to vote online for their favorite display design. The entry receiving the most votes is awarded the People's Choice Award, and themed awards are given out in relation to the exhibition." Source: https://michiganavemag.com/Project-Windows-2019 2020 Winner Announcement Date and Link- This Year's Winner will be announced on January 24, 2020. See this link for the final results: https://michiganavemag.com/Project-Windows-2019 FYI-Individuals are Welcome to "Join the Conversation"Via- @michiganavemag @oakstreetdesign @artinstitutechi #ProjectWindows

I had the pleasure of hanging out with my family at the Oaktoberfest. We walked around and enjoyed…read morebeautiful weather, food and live music. Located in the downtown of Oak Park on Marion Street. There were activities for the kids and giveaways. There was a live music lineup where different bands came out and performed. Lots of people dancing and enjoying the music. A seating area with tables and chairs. Local restaurants and liquor stores to purchase beer and wine. A nice end of the summer festival to enjoy with your family and friends. Or just come out to mingle and have a good time.

Good food, good people, good times…read more This event was HUGE. Literally 100 times more lively than I would have expected, which is great for the township of Oak Park. Lots of neighborhood businesses selling their wares, several beer vendors, and a massive crowd of people enjoying a beautiful weekend in late September. $20 got you three booze tickets and a 22oz refillable Oaktoberfest mug, which came out to about $7 / beer. Not bad, especially considering that a few choices were IPAs and darker, hoppier lagers that could fudge up your vision in a hurry. Hundreds of tables and chairs were set out for fest-goers, most of which were facing the stage just east of Marion Street. The two bands that played during the time we were there had decent sounding stuff. The first one had more of a rock/alternative edge to them which I loved to hear, but the following act was more folksy rock and did absolutely nothing for me. It would've been nice to have heard some more recognizable tunes (covers of Bon Jovi, Mumford & Sons, anything really) instead of the indie nonsense that was played. After a few high ABV% beers, I decided that eating something sustainable would be a good idea. I got a rice and beef shish kabob plate from Jerusalem Cafe for something like $6.50, which absolutely hit the spot. Tasty and a great portion size for the money. Other places sold pizza, bratwurst, meatball subs, pad thai and popcorn, a reasonably good selection overall. Bread = 4.5 Circuses = 4 I didn't check-in or even take photos, as I didn't think this event page even existed on Yelp, but I guarantee next time around I definitely will. However I did leave the festival with my commemorative beer cup and.....well, something else. Can't say what exactly, but it's roughly 10' x 2' and hanging in my apartment. #stickyfingers #kleptomania A fun town event that attracted a giant crowd of locals. Would highly recommend and will return in 2017!