Famous designs, not so famous names?

FAMOUS DESIGNS, NOT SO FAMOUS NAMES?

Recognized, Celebrated Works Among The Animal Houses Designers' Portfolios

LISLE, IL (June 25, 2009) - Chicagoans who don't know Chicago Scenic's name will certainly recognize their work. The company created the set for Oprah Winfrey's TV show, contributed to the "Ancient Americas" exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago, and designed the lectern and assembled the stage that President Obama used when he delivered his acceptance speech in Grant Park last November.

Chicago Scenic is one of seven companies or individuals who designed 11 whimsical, fun and interactive Animal Houses-the major exhibition this year at The Morton Arboretum. Six local designers feature impressive credentials with portfolios listing several high-profile projects and clients that are well-known among Chicagoans. The seventh has produced stunning works around the country and abroad.

Many people recently enjoyed Chicago Scenic's Chicago Blackhawk "helmet" placed on the Picasso sculpture outside the Daley Center downtown, and the Blackhawk jersey that the Field Museum's outdoor Brachiosaurus wore to show support for the team's playoff bid. Chicago Scenic also designed and built the Chicago Bears helmets that the Art Institute lions wore in 2007.

Chicago Scenic created the Spider Web Animal House that's in the Arboretum's Schulenberg Prairie.

"Fifty-eight designers submitted proposals to build Animal Houses last year as part of a juried competition. We selected eleven designs, and couldn't be happier with the incredibly imaginative concepts that have now been brought to life," says Anamari Dorgan, Arboretum Manager of Interpretation and Exhibits. "It's no surprise, really, considering the amazing creations they've designed in past projects."

The unique and surprising Great Blue Heron Rookery Animal House in the Arboretum wetlands is the brainchild of Living Habitats, of Chicago. This firm recently collaborated with another to create a musical series of metal artworks for the William J. Clinton Presidential Library's vegetated roof; and Living Habitat owner Heidi Natura was the lead designer for that roof. Additionally, the firm is deeply involved in a habitat restoration program connected to the expansion of O'Hare Airport.

John Dalton Design of Evanston designed the Raccoon Den and Fallen Log animal houses in the Arboretum woodland. Among his many credits, Dalton was the lead exhibition designer for Revealing Chicago: Aerial Portraits by Terry Evans (the first photo exhibition in Chicago's Millennium Park). When Dalton served as Senior Exhibition Designer at the Field Museum in Chicago, he was the lead designer for the Crown Family PlayLab, the North American Indian Hall, and other exhibitions.

Outhouse Design, of Chicago, has worked with Volkswagen, International Truck, Fender Guitars, Praxair, Weber Grill, Laminart, Motorola, and Sega of America, among others and has designed corporate identities, ads, created graphic "theming" for environments, product signage, apparel programs, and event costumes. Outhouse designed the Arboretum's Ant Colony, Squirrel Drey, Skunk Den, and Coyote Den animal houses.

Pat Warner Projects, of La Habra Heights, California, created the Guest House in the Arboretum's Visitor Center area. Warner's sculptures and other artwork have been displayed domestically, as well as in Korea, the Netherlands, and Lithuania. Her work has been featured in World Sculpture News (Hong Kong), Sculpture Magazine (Washington, D.C.), and regional publications.

Lynda Wallis, Freelance Illustrations of Wauconda provided the remarkable Pollywog Pond Animal House at the Arboretum's wetland habitat. Lynda is the mapmaker for Chicago Wilderness Magazine. She helped create the Bat Exhibit plus many environmental educational materials for the Lake County Forest Preserve. Freelance Illustrations produces a wide range of custom art including interpretive signs, botanic illustration, atmospheric maps, and exhibit design.

The Arboretum's Beaver Lodge Animal House in the wetland habitat grew from the creative talents of SMT Architects, P.C. of Glen Ellyn. SMT has performed services for the Illinois Capital Development Board, Community Housing Association of DuPage, and a Danville, Illinois unit of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Sara Lee Foundation is the Healthy Lifestyles Supporting Sponsor of Animal Houses.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.

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