Cloud Gate, an iconic Chicago landmark and art piece. (Carolyn Vaziri ’22/Co-editor-in-chief)

On Saturday, February 15, a group of upper school students and several of our faculty set out early on Columbus Academy’s inaugural Chicago Art Trip organized by the Fine Arts Department. 

The first agenda item for the sightseers after arriving in the city around noon was a guided tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, a National Historic Landmark. A period of rest at the hotel and dinner at Giordano’s Pizza followed. Next, everyone headed to the Lillstreet Art Center where they concluded the day by participating in a number of activities, including book making, sewing, and screen printing.

The group started the next morning by taking pictures in front of the iconic Agora Statues and Cloud Gate at the Grant and Millenium Parks, respectively, stopping by other nearby public art displays as well. They then visited a series of museums—Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Museum of Contemporary Photography—with time in between to shop at the Water Tower Place. 

In the evening, the students and faculty attended The Infinite Wrench, a performance consisting of two-minute plays by The Neo-Futurists. Students had the opportunity to meet cast members and ask questions afterwards.

On Monday, February 17, the group spent its last few hours taking part in tours of the Stony Island Arts Bank and the Frederick C. Robie House before boarding the bus to return to Academy, all of us inspired and holding an even greater appreciation for all forms of art.

Special thanks to chaperones, Mr. Block, Ms. Fireman, Mr. Howard, Ms. Tursich and  Ms. White for making this trip possible.