Headliners

By Jen Banowetz
Appears in the July 2026 issue.

New exhibition celebrates American greats

Yep, you can see Dolly Parton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and John Williams at the Mac this summer—or at least their heads. In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the McAninch Art Center and Cleve Carney Museum of Art, in association with the College of DuPage Foundation, have created Walking With Giants, a free outdoor exhibition showcasing our country’s artistic achievements. Ten artists (leaders in music, dance, theater, and visual arts) are depicted in colorful, 10-foot-tall portraits sprinkled around the landscaped grounds of the Mac, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. The heads were sculpted by Madelene Przyzbysz (a COD graduate) and painted by Judith Mayer of Chicago and Rich Lo of Naperville.

“A lot of people ask about the title: ‘Why is this called Walking With Giants?’” says project curator Justin Witte. “Part of it is just visual—the idea that there are these giant figures throughout campus, and you’re walking among them. Part of it points out to the fact that these figures are really giants in the world of culture that have come out of the United States and have affected the culture of the world…If you go along and read about these different figures, they come from all different walks of life, different parts of this country. They’re all able to benefit from some of the best things are country has to offer, which are opportunity, creativity, innovation.”

There’s also elements of education and the future. “Part of Walking With Giants is not so much the artists on display but an awareness of the people around you [especially students], their possibility and their ability to one day shape the culture of this country and the world,” Witte explains. “We are also providing a platform for the next generation of giants.”

Photos: Jen Banowetz