The College of DuPage is conducting an exhibit of the works of Andy Warhol at the McAninch Center or “MAC” from June 3 to September 10. In the summer of 2021 the College held a similar exhibit featuring the work of Frida Kahlo, which drew over 100,000 visitors from all over the United States, and the hope is that the Warhol Exhibit will draw a similar number of visitors. For those of you who might be interested, the exhibit will feature the following opportunities for visitors:
150+ photos by Warhol exclusively at College of DuPage
11,000 square feet of dedicated exhibition space
Historical exhibit
Studio 54 experience
Warhol’s interactive Silver Clouds installation
Central Park-inspired outdoor space
Kids Pop Art Print Factory
Concessions Area
Gift Shop
In order to promote the exhibit, local municipalities such as Darien have been asked to highlight the exhibit through social media, street banners, Warhol paraphernalia and their participation in the “COD DuPage Public Art Project 2023.” As part of this effort, Darien is participating in the Warhol Pop Art Challenge, by selecting four individuals from either Darien’s past or present, who have had a significant impact on our community. The city submitted a portrait of each of the selected individuals and submitted them to the Pop Art staff for recreation as “Warhol” portraits. These reproductions will be unveiled on Friday, June 23 at the Indian Prairie Library, where they will be visible through the north facing windows of the library. There will be a brief ceremony at the library (Café Room), for family members as well as members of the general public. The portraits will be available for viewing until mid-September when the exhibition at COD reaches its conclusion.
While many of you may not be devotees of Andy Warhol, you might want to take some time to visit the exhibit and get to know the story behind this cultural icon. Whether you attend the event or not, make sure that you stop by the Indian Prairie Library and become acquainted with the four Darien individuals selected and displayed at the library. While there are many who we could have selected for this project, we know that the four individuals selected impacted our community through their sense of exploration, their leadership, humanitarian efforts and by their bravery. As Warhol is quoted as saying, “In the Future we will all be Famous for 15 minutes;” find out how these individuals will exceed that prediction, and will be remembered for many years to come.