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All the United States Illinois University Park Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park

Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park

A sprawling outdoor museum filled with larger-than-life works of art.

University Park, Illinois

Added By
Jeff Stevenson
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Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.   Daniel X. O'Neil
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.   Daniel X. O'Neil
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.   Daniel X. O'Neil
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.   Daniel X. O'Neil
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.   Daniel X. O'Neil
  nowufny2 / Atlas Obscura User
June 7, 2017   biodieselbarry / Atlas Obscura User
  nowufny2 / Atlas Obscura User
The “French fries”  
Mark diSuevero sculpture   Baseball Byways / Atlas Obscura User
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Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.   Daniel X. O'Neil
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About

Spread over 100 acres of sprawling prairie land, on and around the campus of Governors State University, the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park—known to many as "the Nate"—is filled with enormous, eye-catching work by some of art history’s greats.

Currently, 29 large-scale pieces by artists like Mark di Suvero, John Henry, Martin Puryear, Richard Hunt, Christine Tarkowski, and Mary Miss dot the landscape. You can find sculptures created by late-20th century American sculptures, artists based in the Chicago area, and artists from abroad.

A lot of the sculptures are abstract, and many are related to the natural landscape. A huge, slumped-over, Paul Bunyon-like figure is easily recognizable among the more interpretive shapes. The Martin Puryear piece Bodark Arc is an amazing land art piece that is unique in this important artist's career.

Many of the sculptures were donated by the founder, Lewis Manilow, who with his father Nathan redeveloped University Park, a suburb then known as Forest Park South. The younger Manilow also helped found the Museum of Contemporary Art and was instrumental in the relocation of the Goodman Theater and the renovation of the Oriental and Palace theaters, all in Chicago. 

Wandering around the park, which basically feels like a giant open-air museum, is a leisurely experience. The paths are mostly grass so the park is ideal for an outdoor, artistic adventure in nature.

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Sculpture Gardens Sculptures Art Universities

Know Before You Go

It is about 35 miles south of the Chicago Loop and can be accessed via interstate 57 or Metra Electric line; the first sculpture is only an 8 minute walk from the University Park station. There is also a shuttle to Governors State University's campus.Use the free app Otocast to do a self guided tour, map, additional photos of the works, and even recordings (often by the artist!) about each piece. It's open from dawn to dusk every day, but check GSU's website for building hours for access to bathrooms, cafeteria, etc.

Community Contributors

Added By

artistJeff

Edited By

gordoninontario, Baseball Byways, artisticjeff, ndavis...

  • gordoninontario
  • Baseball Byways
  • artisticjeff
  • ndavis
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • biodieselbarry
  • amysorenson
  • nowufny2
  • sturner428

Published

May 31, 2018

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  • O'Donnell, Maureen. (December 12, 2017.) Lew Manilow Dies, Helped Found Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. Chicago Sun-Times.
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
1 University Pkwy
University Park, Illinois
United States
41.449347, -87.713559
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