The museum’s summer season kicks off with the return of the free-to-the-public family art festival Art in Wilder Park from May 4-5, from 10 am to 5 pm in the heart of Elmhurst at 150 South Cottage Hill Avenue.

Art in Wilder Park, the Chicago suburb’s family-favorite juried art festival now in its 27th year, drew over 11,500 visitors in 2023 and features a variety of artisans selling one-of-a-kind jewelry, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, fiber arts, and mouthwatering treats from local food vendors. In tandem with Designing Donkey Hodie, Art in Wilder Park 2024 will feature newly commissioned public art installation Monsters in Wilder Park: A Kid-Powered Art Show by artist and illustrator Dave Pryor, who designed puppets for Donkey Hodie in addition to working on a variety of popular licenses including "The Wizard of Oz", "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", and "The Simpsons”. Monsters in Wilder Park will feature six large-scale cut-out sculptures inspired by select monster drawings created by over 300 local children.

Presenting an even larger, more inclusive, and accessible event for the whole family this year, Art in Wilder Park will host a variety of activities from the public art installation to a scavenger hunt and hands-on activities in the Kids Court. Art in Wilder Park features 130 exhibitors including local artists, food vendors, a designated Kids Court for family activities, and more. Art in Wilder Park features booths by over 80 Midwest artists, 10 nonprofits, 10 food vendors, 10 Kids Court participants, and 20 other local business partners.

“The Elmhurst Art Museum is excited to expand Art in Wilder Park with more exhibiting artists from across the Midwest and attract new audiences with a new public art installation this year created by more than 300 local children,” said John McKinnon, Executive Director of the Elmhurst Art Museum.

“We are excited for the 27th annual Art in Wilder Park and the sense of community it creates each year with activities for the entire family to enjoy,” said The Honorable Scott Levin, Mayor of Elmhurst. “Each year in growing numbers, Art in Wilder Park welcomes thousands of visitors from Chicagoland and beyond to support their local restaurants, artisans, and businesses, and celebrate the return of the summer season and all it has to offer.”

Further details and a full Art in Wilder Park exhibitor list is available at elmhurstartmuseum.org/events