The Illinois Office of Tourism's larger-than-life art installation celebrating their "Amazing for All" LGBTQ and diversity initiative was unveiled on the first day of Northalsted Market Days, Aug. 11, just south of the Addison gate in Boystown.
The 6-foot-by-23-foot #AmazingForAll wooden sculpture was designed and created by Chicago artist Matthew Hoffman to celebrate and welcome the LGBTQ community from around the world to Chicago and Illinois.
Cory Jobe, the openly gay director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, attended the event to promote the state's Amazing for All campaign.
During Market Days weekend, the public is encouraged to take photos and interact with the temporary installation while scoring free t-shirts, stickers and temporary tattoos provided by Illinois Office of Tourism, while supplies last. The event also includes a postcard station where attendees can write post cards to friends and family and encourage them to visit Illinois and experience the state's inclusivity firsthand.
The Amazing for All campaign was launched by Illinois Office of Tourism in March 2018 to celebrate the diverse people and places that make Illinois an amazing place to visit.
Hoffman is the artist and designer behind "You Are Beautiful," a project that aims to better the world in little ways. His uplifting public pieces have been exhibited around the world.
The installation will be removed after Market Days and reinstalled at a permanent location in Chicago later this year.
See www.enjoyillinois.com/amazing-for-all .
From a press release