The Art Institute of Chicago published a lighthearted archival piece showcasing celebrities who have visited its galleries over the decades. Featured figures include singer Ariana Grande and actor Jonathan Bailey, who came to see Georges Seurat's *A Sunday on La Grande Jatte—1884* ahead of their London stage revival of *Sunday in the Park with George*. Other historical celebrity visitors include actor Kirk Douglas, surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, painter Gertrude Abercrombie, the pop group The Monkees, writer Nelson Algren, scientist Marie Curie, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and tenor Luciano Pavarotti. The article also notes that Grant Wood's *American Gothic* made celebrities of his sister and dentist, who modeled for the painting.
This article matters because it humanizes the museum experience by connecting iconic artworks with famous personalities from diverse fields—entertainment, science, royalty, and literature—demonstrating the broad cultural resonance of art institutions. It also serves as a playful archival exercise that reinforces the Art Institute's role as a cultural landmark and a destination for both art lovers and public figures, while subtly promoting its collection and upcoming exhibitions.