Chicagoans name – From the lions at the Art Institute to murals like Celia Cruz’s, Chicago residents shared the public artworks that keep pulling them back—each for their own reason.
On a city where public art is everywhere, Chicago residents still find themselves stopping—sometimes just for a minute, sometimes for reasons they can’t quite explain—because a sculpture or mural feels like part of their day.
We asked readers what their favorite piece of public art is in Chicago. Here’s what they told us, lightly edited for clarity.
For Robert Haugland, it’s the lions at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Peter Hartel’s pick is Hubertus von der Goltz’s sculpture “Crossing,” on Lasalle Street just north of the Chicago River.
Jill Murtagh said she has a special attachment to Matthew Hoffman’s work. She’s seen “You Are Beautiful” around the city and beyond. but her favorite was Hoffman’s temporary installation “Go For It” near her home. She said it “uplifted” her every day. and that the artist was kind enough to gift her a small piece when he dismantled it. “I miss it dearly,” she wrote.
Terrence Camodeca pointed to the Picasso in Daley Plaza, saying he loves watching kids turn the artwork into a playground—using it as a slide.
Manisha Makwana named “The Bean,” describing the first time she saw it as confusing—until she went in person. “I was instantly awestruck,” she said, calling it iconic and beloved, beautiful no matter the time of day or time of year.
Emily Lenz is drawn to the “Stand Tall” mural on the north side of the Prudential Building.
Elijah Sloane described another mural that’s become part of a routine: a medley of parades and outdoor celebrations across a variety of mediums on the South Loop Parking Garage at 318 S. Federal St. He said he walks by it often and finds “delightful new faces and personalities to focus on every time.”.
Oscar Baez shared his pick as the mural of Celia Cruz at the now closed 90-Mile restaurant over on Armitage.
Dennis Novak said he has a soft spot for the Picasso, calling it the first major piece and describing it as controversial for the “60s.” He also added he likes the Calder in Federal Plaza, “probably because I’m an ex-fed.”
Taken together, the answers sketch a city where public art isn’t just decoration. It’s memory, habit, surprise, and sometimes a piece you keep because you were lucky enough to be given one—then still miss the next time you walk past where it used to be.
Chicago public art The Bean Picasso in Daley Plaza Art Institute lions Crossing sculpture Hubertus von der Goltz Matthew Hoffman You Are Beautiful Go For It Stand Tall mural Prudential Building South Loop Parking Garage mural Celia Cruz mural 90-Mile restaurant Calder Federal Plaza
The Bean is overrated like I don’t get the hype but everyone loves it. Still iconic I guess.
Celia Cruz mural?? I didn’t even know that place closed, that’s wild. Kinda messed up it’s gone, but I feel like Chicago always loses stuff like that.
Wait so the lions at the Art Institute are like… actually people favorites? I thought that was just something tourists do for photos. Also “Crossing” sounds like a street thing not a sculpture? lol
The Picasso in Daley Plaza is the best, and yeah it’s controversial in the 60s or whatever like the article said. Kids turning it into a slide is kinda the whole point though, makes it not feel like museum rules. I’m surprised they didn’t mention that other statue by the river that everybody posts about, but maybe I’m thinking of a different one. Anyway public art in Chicago hits different when you walk past it every day.