The Elmhurst Art Museum is presenting "Legacies: Selections from the Elmhurst Art Museum Permanent Collection," an exhibition running through August 17 that highlights works from its permanent collection. Founded in 1981 by teachers, artists, and art lovers, the museum has grown to hold around 1,000 works focused on 20th-century art and design by Midwestern artists. The show explores how collections are built, featuring donations from over 200 donors and including pieces such as a Barcelona Chair attributed to Mies van der Rohe but designed by Lily Wright, a large painting by Michelle Grabner, and Joseph Burlini's sculpture "Circus Wagon." The museum also acquired the Mies van der Rohe-designed McCormick House in 1992, which set its path integrating art, architecture, and education.
This exhibition matters because it illuminates the often-overlooked process of how a regional museum builds its permanent collection through community donations and local support, reflecting broader trends in art collecting and institutional growth. By showcasing works by Midwestern artists and addressing historical attribution issues—such as the Barcelona Chair's design credit—the museum contributes to ongoing conversations about regional art history and gender equity in the art world. It also underscores the role of small to mid-sized museums in preserving and interpreting local cultural heritage.