Monsters in Wilder Park - A Kid-Powered Art Show

As a follow-up to our popular public art installation Superheroes in Wilder Park, which drew over 20,000 visitors, Elmhurst Art Museum will feature monsters in the park! Over 300 kids within the community dreamt up and submitted their own monster drawings. Inspired by these unique sketches, Elmhurst-based artist and illustrator Dave Pryor will reimagine them as larger than life public artworks.

All children who submitted a drawing will be invited to special events in June 2024. Check out our events page for more information.

Previous examples of kid-inspired monsters by Dave Pryor.

About the Artist: Dave Pryor is a professional artist, animator, and director. Dave started his career in 1992, working in television animation on Warner Bros. cartoons. Since 2002, Dave has worked in gaming, developing art for several of his favorite popular licenses including "The Wizard of Oz", "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", and "The Simpsons”.

Recently, Dave designed puppets for "Donkey Hodie", a new show by Fred Rogers Productions which currently airs on PBS. The series features characters from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and aims to teach preschoolers how to creatively overcome challenges. Since 2013, Dave has curated the "Artists Among Us" series. This show brings together the many talents of the employees of Light & Wonder (where Dave works as Senior Art Director).

Dave resides with his wife Heather in Elmhurst Illinois, and spends leisure time traveling, painting, animating, going to movies, and playing with their dogs Ham and Cake.

Connect with Dave on social media at @davepryor72

Monsters in Wilder Park is guest curated by Kimberly Mills

This exhibition is made possible in partnership with Elmhurst Park District and generously supported by the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund of DuPage Foundation. Additional support by the City of Elmhurst Public Arts Commission, Elmhurst Bank/Wintrust, Makinney Group | Compass, Kelly Stetler | Compass, Total Window Treatments, and Chicago Event Graphics. Production support by DIT Workshops.