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Mr. Willy's Dark Art and Oddities

5.0 (1 review)
Closed • 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

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The Art Institute of Chicago - Adult ticket $32

The Art Institute of Chicago

4.7(2.5k reviews)
58.3 mi•The Loop

Wheeeew, grab a map when you walk in!! We tried to go without and it didn't end well. Not only did…read moremy boyfriend and I lose each other very early on, but we also lost track of what sections we had been in. Eventually we reconvened in the main area and consulted the visitor guide to ensure we maximized our time here, but it was still impossible to see everything. We happened to arrive right before noon, so we were able to peep in Fullerton Hall, which was cool. We also combed through the impressionism area and I enjoyed all the Monets. I then went on a MISSION to find American Gothic, which ended up being in an entirely different wing -- eventually I found it though. Paradise Lost was another highlight of course, as well as the Chicago Stock Exchange room recreation. We wrapped things up in the modern wing, and I was hyped to see several pieces from Andy Warhol, plus a Dali. If we didn't have a flight that night, we easily could've spent 2-3 more hours here.

Visiting the Art Institute of Chicago had long been on my bucket list ever since taking an art…read morehistory class in high school, so it was a dream come true to finally see it in person. I booked my tickets in advance on the morning of my visit and walked over from River North in the afternoon. Upon entering the galleries, I went up the central staircase and immediately found myself in a room with my favorite Impressionist masterpieces, including works by Monet, Seurat, Caillebotte, Van Gogh, and Matisse...just to name a few. I wandered through the other galleries and continued to spot my favorite paintings from other art periods. I even found a mummy! The museum layout was a little confusing, but the galleries were well-labeled, and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable in helping me find my way. Thinking that I would only spend about an hour in the museum, I ended up staying almost until closing. Before leaving, I stopped in at the gift shop to pick up some postcards to commemorate my visit. I highly recommend the Art Institute of Chicago to anyone visiting the city, and I would definitely consider coming back when I have more time on my next visit.

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The Art Institute of Chicago - Picasso

Picasso

The Art Institute of Chicago - Members lounge is worth the investment- even for an out of towners! Free coffee, tea, views, bathroom

Members lounge is worth the investment- even for an out of towners! Free coffee, tea, views, bathroom

The Art Institute of Chicago - Sculpture

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Sculpture

The Alex Ross Heroes & Villains Exhibition - Turn right: Hallway leading to the "Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains" exhibition at the new space

The Alex Ross Heroes & Villains Exhibition

5.0(3 reviews)
46.3 mi

I read my brother's comic books when I was a kid (Avengers, X-Men, Spiderman) although I admit I…read morewas more interested in Betty & Veronica and Archie comics during those family road trips. Still, I looked forward to the exhibition "Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains" at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Ross painted full size portraits of the well known core characters in the Marvel Universe, as well as characters he grew up with. They are painted in such a way, with the same lighting, so that all of the characters fit together, no matter how they are arranged. There are individual portraits, and then there are two large assemblages -- heroes on one side and villains on the other. He spent 7-10 hours on each piece and the enter project of Marvel heroes took about a year -- the villains project took place a few years later. When we visited, we saw adults and teens, engrossed in the details, and taking pictures with the large murals. Other than two plaques of information, there is not much explanation from the artist. I would have liked to see more about his process, or which heroes and villains were Ross' favorites. Still, the exhibit is fun and quite reasonably priced - $10/adults, $5 seniors/teens on top of the already low ticket for the Dunn Museum admission. The items in the gift shop were great.

Our daughter was invited to the Media Preview of "Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains" special exhibition…read moreat Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County in Libertyville before it opened to the public, and we were thrilled that she invited us, her parents, to join her. The Dunn Museum, operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves, recently expanded with a brand-new 3,000-square-foot gallery designed specifically for large-scale exhibitions.  Alex Ross's special exhibition is the first one to be unveiled there.  I found the new gallery very spacious, comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and professionally executed. Renowned for his use of gouache to paint incredibly lifelike portraits of Marvel and DC icons, Ross has elevated comic book illustration into the realm of fine art.  The exhibition showcases 100 stunning portraits, each reflecting the unique personality and attitude of the character, which naturally shapes their pose. The portraits form two larger-than-life murals that fully immerse visitors, creating a perfect backdrop to step into the world of comics and pose with your favorite characters. We were so grateful and pleasantly surprise that Alex Ross was present at the Media Preview.  Although he is such an iconic artist in the comic world, he is so friendly, warm, and down-to-earth. We were absolutely delighted to meet and chat with him. The museum's slogan is "Arrive curious. Leave inspired." That was exactly how I felt. I have only had casual exposure to the comic universe through superhero movies like Superman, Batman, and Spiderman, and I did not know much about the artists behind the scenes. However, after seeing Ross's work up close, I came away a true fan of Ross, with a newfound respect for his comic art! Although this is a ticketed special exhibit to the public, $5 - $10 in addition to the general admission, it is well worth the price and special trip to see it.  The exhibition runs from June 29 through February 16, 2026.  Go see it if you have a chance! When you go, do stop by the gift shop, which is well-stocked with comic books and merchandise that fans will love.  There are even Heroes books and Villains books signed by Alex Ross available behind the counter for $100 each. Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains is the Dunn Museum's second exhibit featuring the celebrated artist's work, following 2019's Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross. This exhibition also supports the Preservation Foundation's "Every Acre Strong" initiative, which raises funds to help maintain and protect Forest Preserve lands, making sure they stay healthy and thriving for generations to come.  I highly recommend this exhibit!

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The Alex Ross Heroes & Villains Exhibition
The Alex Ross Heroes & Villains Exhibition
The Alex Ross Heroes & Villains Exhibition

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McAninch Arts Center - "Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop/Works from the Bank of America Collection" in the CCMA

McAninch Arts Center

4.5(40 reviews)
35.7 mi
•$$

The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage (COD) in Glen Ellyn, IL, is a vibrant hub for…read morethe performing and visual arts, offering an array of professional theater, music, dance, comedy, and family-friendly performances. While the MAC hosts a wide range of cultural programming year-round, what has drawn us back time and again, now three times, are their exceptional, large-scale art exhibitions, presented every two years. The most recent of these is the 2025 exhibition Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World (on view from May 31 to September 21). This immersive experience transports visitors to the lively and refined world of 17th-century Edo-period Japan. The exhibit vividly captures a time when Edo (present-day Tokyo) thrived as the cultural and economic heart of the nation, defined by its devotion to the arts, nature, and the pleasures of daily life. A highlight of the exhibition is the U.S. debut of the Museum Galleries - Chiossone Collection, featuring a remarkable 70-piece selection of ukiyo-e masterpieces. Among these are 53 original paintings and woodblock prints by renowned artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, alongside 17 beautifully crafted objects. Together, they offer a captivating window into Japan's "floating world." The MAC consistently excels in delivering these world-class exhibitions. The experience is not only visually stunning but also engaging and educational. The staff are welcoming, knowledgeable, and always ready to enhance your visit. Last, but not the least, there is a very nice gift shop there. We bought some cute Japanese noodles and rice bowls with the "floating world" art theme from the gift shop. Attending an art exhibition there is truly a joy, and we look forward to each new one.

We came for the Hokusai exhibit on a Friday. It was a little hard to find, the address on the flyer…read moredidn't direct us to the right area. Saw some signs near campus but not enough. Was finally able to find it by searching McAninch Arts Center (MAC). The exhibit is cool, loved the eki (train station) stamps for the passport you're given. I wasn't expecting much and it lived up to expectations. After experiencing it do I think it was worth the $27/per person admission? Not for me. But it's still cool and definitely worth a visit if you're an art enthusiast.

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McAninch Arts Center - From Balcony

From Balcony

McAninch Arts Center
McAninch Arts Center

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Griffin Museum of Science and Industry - United 727

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

4.3(1.6k reviews)
61.0 mi•Hyde Park

We probably covered 30% of all MSI has to offer, and my almost three year old is already planning…read morehis next trip! This place is really incredible. I was worried my toddler might be a little bit too young, but MSI does a great job of having spaces for all ages. We spent a lot of time downstairs looking at the fairy castles, baby chicks, in the mirror maze, and the idea factory! The idea factory was definitely a little outdated (my husband said nothing has changed since he came here as a kid) but even still, it was super cool and super perfect for toddlers. It's also great because this area is suuuper interactive (and especially aimed for smaller kiddos). The other space we spent a lot of time was the space exhibit. This is so cool with so much to see and learn. We can't wait to come back and see more of MSI! Super happy with our first visit with a little guy though.

Wow, our minds were blown away by this Smithsonian quality museum! We only expected to check it…read moreout for a few hours but ended up spending the entire day here. Although the submarine was their signature piece, what we enjoyed the most were the thoughtful and engaging displays with the trains and airplanes (especially the airplane engine). This museum is truly a gem and we were lucky to spend the day here.

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Griffin Museum of Science and Industry - Christmas!

Christmas!

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry - Inside IG: @ammysalamii

Inside IG: @ammysalamii

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry - A view of a miniature Seattle skyline at The Great Train Story exhibit at MSI.

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A view of a miniature Seattle skyline at The Great Train Story exhibit at MSI.

Mr. Willy's Dark Art and Oddities - antiques - Updated October 2026

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