UNIQUE IN SUBURBIA | Cicadas on Parade in Downtown Glen Ellyn

Each Sculpture is Hand Painted by Local Artist and Storefront Owners

GLEN ELLYN–Glen Ellyn is embracing the summer of the cicada. Now on display through the end of the summer, twenty-five hand painted cicada sculptures are lining the streets in flowerpots, windows and trees throughout Downtown Glen Ellyn.  These 18-inch cicada sculptures are 8 lbs. each and made of plaster with copper legs. Each sculpture is hand painted by local artists and storefront owners.

When the idea of Cicadas on Parade came to Downtown Glen Ellyn, everyone thought, “What? No”, but the idea soon caught on.  Think of it as the 1999 Cows on Parade art exhibit, but bugs! Each cicada is drastically different and creative. For example, the String Theory Yarn Co. knitted an outfit, The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn modge podged book pages and the Glen Ellyn Sweet Shoppe covered theirs with candy wrappers. A few other examples, Glen Ellyn Public Library hand painted favorite youth authors, Gather & Collect found vintage items to attach to theirs (pictured) and Alla Moda Boutique’s cicada has several sets of interchangeable shoes to display.

Dawn Smith, Executive Director of the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn, was first approached of the idea by local shop owner Julie Spiller of Gather & Collect.  “I first surveyed the other store owners of interest.  I was surprised by the popularity! I initially had a dozen stores interested, which grew to 25, and a week later had a dozen more on a waiting list”, replied Smith.

This event is part of Cicada Parade-a, a large-scale collaborative art project organized by The Insect Asylum. This project celebrates Illinois’ 17-year and 13-year cicada broods. The Insect Asylum, located at 2870 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago, has a mission to foster appreciation in animals and the natural world through a unique, immersive, and inclusive educational experience.

Cicadas on Parade is brought to you by the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn, with special thanks to the many amazing sponsors that make events like this possible.  Thank you to Maureen McCarthy @Properties and the Village of Glen Ellyn, the program’s Benefactor Sponsors.

To find out more information, please visit us at www.downtownglenellyn.com or follow them in social media.