In partnership with the Elmhurst Park District, the Elmhurst Art Museum announces the return of Art in Wilder Park to the heart of Elmhurst this spring. The only festival of its kind hosted by an art museum, Art in Wilder Park features over 130 booths showcasing unique, handcrafted treasures including jewelry, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, and fiber arts created by talented Midwest artists. Visitors can enjoy a variety of artisan food vendors, a dedicated Kids Court with creative hands-on activities, and community partner and sponsor displays, all set against the picturesque backdrop of Elmhurst’s Wilder Park. The free-to-the-public event annually attracts over 7,000 people to the museum campus and takes place rain or shine, Saturday to Sunday, May 2-3, 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm, at 175 South Cottage Hill Avenue in Elmhurst.
A new offering in 2026 is the addition of an Emerging Artist Pavilion that taps into the talent of the Chicagoland area, including the hundreds of artists coming out of prestigious college and university programs each year. Artists featured in the festival will be selected by jurors Fatima Hendricks, Manager of Exhibitions & Residencies at Chicago Artists’ Coalition, and Whitney Bradshaw, Curator at Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, IN.
Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Elmhurst Art Museum Allison Peters Quinn says, “Art in Wilder Park feels like a hometown hug in the spring. It is the best time of year to support diverse artists, eat delicious food, and let the kids run around. This year, we are excited to partner with other regional art institutions to open the door even wider to emerging artists, and connect their work and ideas to our local communities.”
Art in Wilder Park is produced by the Elmhurst Art Museum in partnership with Elmhurst Park District. Presenting sponsor Kelly Stetler | Compass. Festival sponsors: All American Gutter Protection, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Discover DuPage, Enjoy Illinois Explore Elmhurst, Great American Exteriors, The Home Improvement Network,, and Renewal by Andersen Windows. Special Event Sponsors: Chicago Event Graphics and Unlimited Heating & Cooling. Sculpture Sponsors: Community Bank of Elmhurst, Lakeside Bank, Wangler and Company, and WinTrust Bank of Elmhurst.
ABOUT THE ELMHURST ART MUSEUM
The Elmhurst Art Museum is located at 150 South Cottage Hill Avenue in Elmhurst (IL), 25 minutes from downtown Chicago by car or public transportation (Metra). On the museum’s campus is the McCormick House, a single-family home designed in 1952 by Mies van der Rohe, one of the great architects of the 20th Century. The McCormick House is one of only three residences designed and built by Mies in the United States – and one of only two open to the public.
The Museum is open Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Regular admission prices are $18 for Adults (ages 18+), $15 for Seniors, $10 for Students, and $5 for Children. For more information, please call 630.834.0202 or visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.
