EDITOR'S CHOICE: BEST PUBLIC ART DISPLAYS

Chicago, Illinois

Millennium Park

Basics

Bordered by Michigan Ave. to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph St. to the north, Monroe St. to the south.

24.5 acres.

Open daily 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

Free events presented by City of Chicago at Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Great Lawn.

Rent or park bicycles.

Info and events: www.MillenniumPark.org

Millennium Park in Chicago is nothing short of spectacular - the town square concept has been expanded to breathtaking proportions whose attractions draw visitors worldwide. Opened in 2004, it's the stunning result of a partnership between the city and philanthropists working with world-renowned designers, artists, and architects. One of the most popular sights is the interactive Cloud Gate - locals call it "The Bean" because of its shape - a 66-foot-long, 33-foot-high sculpture whose mirrored surface reflects the cityscape as well as those who delightedly wander underneath it to ogle their fun house-like images. Other images are at Crown Fountain - neck-craning 50-foot glass block towers of flowing water that project video images of 1,000 Chicagoans.

Four big pavilions for various entertainment are green-built marvels that heed the health of the environment: State-of-the-art technology converts solar energy into electricity. Jones-ing for a concert? World-class entertainment is offered at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the nation's most sophisticated concert venue. From there you can stroll over to the iconic Picasso sculpture via the BP Bridge that connects the Pritzker Pavilion to Daley Bicentennial Plaza. Ponder Picasso and return to the Park, where a variety of activities go on all summer long. Stay in the art mode if you wish: The Boeing Galleries at the north and south ends of the park offer ever-changing art exhibits. You can cut through the center of the Park on the Chase Promenade, the site of other special summer events. Another entertaining offering: The indoor Harris Theater offers music and dance performances September to May.

Natural beauty abounds at Lurie Garden year-round, accented by a lighted 15-foot-high hedge that represents Carl Sandburg's "City of Big Shoulders" poetic homage to Chicago and provides protection for the perennial garden. Slip further into a relaxation vibe by lounging on the lawn or wandering the tree-lined paths of Wrigley Square. Prop a picnic on your bike; you can park the bike in an indoor bicycle parking facility. However you get there, head for the Grant Park Music Festival that runs from June 15 to Aug. 20.

Valparaiso, Indiana

Keys to the City

Basics

What: 8 pianos for anyone to play.

Where: downtown streets of Valparaiso.

When: 2 weeks beginning July 8.

Free.

From "Chopsticks" to Chopin, piano music is in the air on the streets of Valparaiso, Indiana. The Keys to the City is a quirky project spearheaded by Steve Ingram, who was intrigued by a televised program about pianos put on the streets of London for anyone to come along and play. Ingram talked with his Kiwanis member son Aaron, and the club pitched the idea to the city. The concept hit the right note. "We presented the idea to the city and our festival organization person, Tina St. Aubin. It took them about 30 seconds to OK the project," says Ingram. Kiwanis Club agreed to purchase the pianos. "This project is a gift from the Kiwanis to the city and the great people of our city who every year give us $40,000 to $50,000 to give back to this community," says Ingram.

Last year five pianos on the sidewalks proved to be irresistible. Public reaction was "nothing but positive - it exceeded our expectations," says Ingram. Toddlers' hands reached for the keys, teens played "Chopsticks," and some talented folks offered up mini concerts. Anyone who wanted to tickle the ivories needed no invitation, from amateurs to professionals. There was the Ragtime group from Lake County and a cellist and violinist who came along as accompanists. A mother practiced the music for her daughter's wedding, and another mother frequently brought her daughter downtown to play the different pianos. A construction worker after a day on the job paused to play some tunes.

It took plenty of help to set the stage. One piano was donated and four others were purchased, from Gratz Piano. Valuation Services provided additional funds and BoyConn did the promotional printing. Two men with a truck moved the pianos to their various downtown sites. Another fellow tuned the pianos regularly.

"It was so moving for me to hear the pianos being played at 6 a.m. or at midnight," says Ingram.

Expect even more such moments this summer, when there will be eight pianos around the city. "The weather was not kind to one of the pianos," says Ingram, but aside from Mother Nature, "People became protective of the pianos." Keyed up by the enthusiastic response, Kiwanis is buying four more pianos for this year's display of eight pianos; the tentative opening date is July 8; check the Web site above for updates. The pianos will be placed around the square, in the new downtown park, and at the Memorial Opera House.

St. Joseph, Michigan

Barnyard at the Beach

Basics

What: 43 whimsically painted animals.

Where: Downtown St. Joseph, Mich.

When: Memorial Day Weekend - Oct. 1. Unveiling: May 20, 5:30 p.m. EST; event from 5-8 p.m.

Directions: Visit the Web site for directions by train plane, and automobile - and boat.

Stop at St. Joseph Today Welcome Center for a free guide to locations of all 43 animals.

For more info: www.stjosephpublicart.com

Watch for a startling collection of barnyard beasts in St. Joseph's seventh summer of offering public art displays. This year's farmstead theme - Barnyard at the Beach - is represented by dozens of whimsically crafted farm animals scattered throughout the city to amuse and bemuse. In January artists were invited to submit sketches, and by April 15 the creative concepts for 43 animals were accepted.

"It's amazing to see what artists come up with," says Susan Solon, marketing and communication director for the city. "There's a longhorn steer by a farmer and his wife, Ryan and Heidi Schmaltz, who actually raise longhorn steers. That one's called 'Bruiser - King of the Barnyard,' and he's so realistic."

Public reaction has been downright neighborly. "People love to see them on the street," says Solon. "They come from all over to have merchants take photos of them standing with an animal. You'll see kids, and older couples taking the walking tour to see them all."

• Not surprising, then, that when word got around that the public art might not happen this year for lack of funding, the merchants themselves attended a city commission meeting and urged the city to reconsider. T'warn't but a minute 'til folks agreed, and fiberglass animal molds were purchased from, naturally enough, Cow Painters in Chicago. Once delivered, artists had nine weeks to paint them however the Muse directed - and the Muse had a sense of humor. "There's a lot of play on words," says Solon, like the Bah Humbug sheep by Benton harbor's Brookview School students. and Don Key-ote, by James Andert. St. Joseph Improvement Association is a major contributor to the event, and other sponsors stepped up to pay $300 for each artist's time and paint supplies; look for those philanthropic folks' names on plaques near each animal.

Along with the unpredictably painted animals - pigs, turkeys, ducks, cows, sheep, goats, roosters, donkeys and more - there will be a little barn downtown built by city staff for kids to crawl through.

At the unveiling May 20 of the animals adults will get something extra, too. A Bon Marche, another major sponsor, is providing animal dollars to spend at shops downtown; last year a total of $3,000 worth of $5 animal dollars were handed out. Artists will be on hand, too; their works will be auctioned after the display closes Oct. 1.