Artie the Lion is the Art Institute's friendly mascot. He's been working at the Art Institute since 1999. On special Family Days, Artie can be seen in the halls of the Art Institute with a helpful assistant. Artie gets asked a lot of questions by kids and grown-ups visiting the museum. If you or your child have a question you'd like to ask Artie, you can email him at artie@artic.edu or visit him during a Family Day!

Ask Artie

Hi Tori!
Yes, I am the museum mascot but I don't roar at visitors. I enjoy meeting people when they come to the Art Institute! I'd certainly like to meet you and your family at one of our special Family Days. You and your family can enjoy drop-in art activities, gallery games, performances, artist demonstrations, and storytelling. And, of course, meeting me! Check our Family Calendar to find out when the next Family Day is taking place.
Artie

Hi Artie!
How many sculptures are in the art museum? How many paintings are there? And what is the most popular one?
Alyssa

Hello, Alyssa!
The Art Institute has more than 4,000 sculptures and 5,000 paintings in its collection. We have works of art from all around the world. Some are thousands of years old, while some were made in the last few years. They aren't all in the galleries at the same time—we'd have to have a much bigger museum to put everything on display! I couldn't possibly say which one is the most famous, or the best, or the most exciting, or the most popular. You'll have to come visit and decide for yourself!
Artie

Dear Artie,
Why are there lions in front of the museum? Who made them? Why do they have different poses?
Peter

Dear Peter,
The lions are made of bronze, and were a gift from Mrs. Henry Field in 1894, given in memory of her husband. Lions as guardians have an ancient history. The fierceness, strength, and grace of the lion led the earliest human rulers to adopt it as a symbol of royalty and of guardianship. The two lions outside the Art Institute "guard" our collection of artwork and also give a sense of grandeur and royalty to the building.

The sculptor who created the lions from 1892 to 1894, Edward Kemeys, was known for his lifelike sculptures of animals. It would have been unnatural for two lions to look exactly the same, so he made the north one "on the prowl" and the south one "in an attitude of defiance" (as he described them).

The lions are very famous and have become symbols of the entire city of Chicago. They wear wreaths during the holiday season and sometimes even Bears helmets or White Sox caps. If you ever come to the museum on a special Family Day, you'll see me, Artie, strolling around—I'm the younger, fuzzier cousin of the guardian lions outside and the mascot for the fun family programs we have at the Art Institute!
Artie

Dear Artie,
I am 8 years old and like to draw. I really want to learn how to do it better. Does the Art Institute have classes for teaching kids like me how to draw?
Thanks!
Bobby

Hi Bobby,
On most Sundays, there are Drawing in the Galleries classes for kids ages 6 to 8 and ages 9 and up. You can ask your folks to call to find out when the next class is being held. Since the classes are very popular, they’ll need to register in advance. The class is free with museum admission, and you can come back as many times as you like. You'll get to go into the museum's galleries and look at original artwork while you practice drawing techniques.

If you want a long-term class, the School of the Art Institute offers regular art classes for kids at certain times of year. Please call (312)629-6170—that's the Department of Continuing Education and Special Programs. Information is also available at the Continuing Studies Web page at the School of the Art Institute.
Happy drawing!
Artie

Dear Artie,
I'm bringing my children to the museum for the first time. What should I show them?
Paul

Hey Paul,
It's best to choose a few areas you'd like to see and save the rest for another visit. Take your time and have fun together. The Kraft Education Center is a good place to start. You can pick up gallery games and information at the desk, and on weekends there are drop-in art activities. If you need a quiet break during your visit, stop by the Kraft Education Center's Family Room, which has over 1,000 children's books.

You will also find a new exhibition designed especially for kids called BIGsmall. This exhibition features works of art from the Art Institute's collection, displayed in a kid-friendly, interactive setting. Improvisations: The Illustrations of Chris Raschka, which features original picture book art from the popular children's book illustrator and author, is also on view until June 2008.
Artie

Dear Artie,
Why can't I touch the works of art at the museum?
Madison

Hi Madison,
Even though they may look clean, everyone's hands have oils and dirt on them that over time can damage works of art. If you want to touch art, visit the Touch Gallery downstairs near the Kraft Education Center. This special exhibition has sculptures that have been treated with a protective coating so that people can touch them. Of course, you can also pet the lions outside the front entrance! Just please don't touch the rest of the art. This way we can make sure that the Art Institute's collection is in good shape to inspire future generations.
Artie

If you have a question for Artie the Lion, send him an e-mail at artie@artic.edu or come to one of our Family Days!