The Ducks Have Landed!

Dozens of larger-than-life ducks have landed on the sidewalks of downtown Chicago’s Magnificent Mile! The toy duck replicas are presented by The Magnificent Mile Association in conjunction with Special Olympics of Illinois. The event coincides with the world renowned Chicago Ducky Derby, a signature fundraising event for Special Olympics Illinois.

The Special Olympics of Illinois Board of Directors honored Arts of Life as their sponsorship recipient for this project. Arts of Life’s Executive Director, Denise Fisher, had this to say, “It’s an honor to partner with the Mag Mile again and join forces with Special Olympics to highlight the incredible work that Special Olympians accomplish throughout the state. Now, more than ever, we can look to them for creative inspiration and new possibilities.”

Our agency duck, painted by studio artists and twin sisters Aria and Raina Carter, features a poem penned by studio artist Cole Fox . It represents our agency’s mission of visibility and equity for people with disabilities. A lack of visibility became more pronounced with the onset of COVID-19. Physical exhibition spaces have largely been closed on a national level since March of 2020, and Arts of Life’s artists are eager to resume public art exhibitions.

“We are so proud to be partnering with the Special Olympics on this great project. Opportunities to showcase our artists’ work and stretch their creative practices help to increase their visibility throughout Chicagoland and beyond. Especially right now, with our Circle Contemporary galleries being closed, we relish the opportunity to display art outdoors where more people can safely enjoy it.”

Visit our duck in person! It is located at 875 North Michigan Avenue (outside the former John Hancock building). Ducks on the Mag Mile will remain on view through September 27, 2020.

We’d love to see photos from your visit! Please share them with us on social media using the hashtags #ChiDuckyDerb and #ArtsOfLife.

Located at: 875 North Michigan Ave