The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Thursday, May 14, 2026, courtesy of The Obama Foundation Artist Projects Maya Lin & Kiki Smith The Obama Presidential Center Published Friday, Jun 19, 2026 New commissions by Maya Lin and Kiki Smith join contributions from more than two dozen world-renowned artists throughout the 19.3-acre campus of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which opens to the public for the first time today, June 19, 2026. Read More Maya Lin, Seeing Through the Universe, 2026. Installation view, the Ann Dunham Water Terrace at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Saturday, Jun 13, 2026 © Maya Lin, courtesy of The Obama Foundation Maya LinSeeing Through the UniverseRecipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, Maya Lin has created the stone sculptural water feature Seeing Through the Universe for the center’s Water Terrace, featuring an upright “oculus” piece that mists and a flat “pebble” piece that fills with water and cascades over. (opens in a new window) Learn More “In both works one can peer either through or within each stone, and the starlike patterning of the stone alludes to the larger universe and galaxies we are a part of, inspired by the farsighted and forward thinking—yet also deeply reflective and visionary—minds of our 44th President and the First Lady.”Maya Lin Read More “The American architect and artist created a contemplative moment with her two-part sculptural fountain: One stone lies flat as water bubbles up and over it, while an adjacent 11-foot-tall stone oculus emits a gentle mist.”Kelly Crow, (opens in a new window) Wall Street Journal Read More Kiki Smith, Receive, 2026. Installation view, the Hope and Change Lobby at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 © Kiki Smith, courtesy of The Obama Foundation Kiki SmithReceiveKiki Smith’s bronze sculpture Receive is situated at the heart of the center’s museum, celebrating our shared connection to the cosmos while offering hope, orientation, and solace. (opens in a new window) Learn More “In regard to my work, we are all traveling through the shared universe together, and that is fundamental to our experience.We are all in concert with each other. We all contain the history of the universe. Everything, every atom and particle, is flowing between each of us. There is no separation, only illusion.I am very excited to see all the artworks and how they integrate with the beautiful building and its path of becoming alive with community. It is a gift and model that the Obama Foundation created.”Kiki Smith Read More Journal View All Films Artists on Artists: Lee Ufan x Park Young Sook Jul 07, 2026 Artist Projects Hank Willis Thomas at Rockefeller Center Jul 06, 2026 News Lynda Benglis Inspires Dior’s 2026 Haute Couture Fall/Winter Collection Jul 06, 2026 Museum Exhibitions Richard Tuttle at Dia Beacon Jun 30, 2026 Artist Projects — Maya Lin & Kiki Smith at the Obama Presidential Center, Jun 19, 2026