A detail view of the installation of painted stained glass by artist Julie Mehretu

By CGN Staff

The Obama Foundation has announced the final group of major artist commissions for the Obama Presidential Center, set to open June 19 on Chicago’s South Side. The newly revealed artists—Njideka Akunyili Crosby, María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Jeffrey Gibson, Rashid Johnson, Hugo McCloud, Martin Puryear, Lorna Simpson, and Norman Teague—will contribute large-scale, site-specific works across the 19.3-acre campus.

The commissions expand an already robust roster of artists and underscore the Center’s mission to integrate art into civic life. Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, emphasized that the artworks are intended to “deepen visitors’ curiosity and inspiration,” while reflecting shared values and encouraging community engagement.

Installed throughout gathering spaces, exhibition areas, and outdoor environments, the works draw on a wide range of materials and cultural references—from Indigenous drum-making traditions to Afro-Asian Cuban symbolism and conceptual photography. Together, they embed narratives of place, identity, and collective memory into the daily experience of the Center.

Highlights include a layered portrait of President and Mrs. Obama by Njideka Akunyili Crosby; María Magdalena Campos-Pons’ immersive interpretation of the White House Rose Garden; and Martin Puryear’s monumental sculpture Bending the Arc, inspired by the legacy of John Lewis and the ongoing pursuit of justice. Rashid Johnson’s mosaic Broken Men and Jeffrey Gibson’s politically charged installation Yet With a Steady Beat further explore themes of community and cultural expression.

Chicago-based designer Norman Teague contributes a series of sculptural wooden benches rooted in South Side traditions, while Lorna Simpson’s atmospheric “Ice” work and Hugo McCloud’s layered painting reflect on memory, landscape, and personal history.

“These artists…showcase the depth and breadth of President and Mrs. Obama’s commitment to public art,” said Dr. Louise Bernard, founding director of the Center’s museum, noting that the works will transform public spaces into sites of “reflection, joy, and connection.”

The Obama Presidential Center will include a museum, library, garden, athletic facilities, and public programming spaces. Its art program—featuring more than 30 artists in total—continues the Obamas’ vision of the “People’s House,” extending their White House legacy of cultural openness and public engagement into a new civic landmark.

More info at Obama.org