Dear Friends,

Thank you for signing. We hit a milestone of 100 signatures, attesting to Lorado Taft's popularity.  His art should not be erased, and Lorado Taft should not be erased from history!  Today I heard a fabulous lecture about Lorado Taft, by Bob Dion.  He is widely admired in Chicago.  To continue the momentum, please consider sharing the original petition with some specific groups:  1) art lovers 2) artists 3) family members and 4)people who live in Chicago. Approximately 25 percent of the signers are from Illinois, not all from Chicago.  Let's show the Art Institute that our city admires Lorado Taft, and that we don't want to travel too far to see his work.  

Two weeks ago I went to Garfield Park Conservatory and took a photo of two more Taft sculptures, this one called "Pastoral."  He wanted to give the impression of fairies. As an artist, he could be fun and playful as well as profound and serious.  Garfield Park is not necessarily easy to get to for visitors to Chicago. Please implore the Art Institute to give the honor due to Chicago's greatest sculptor.  

Taft has another bronze sculpture outside of the Art Institute, The Fountain of the Great Lakes. Right now it can't be seen, because water freezes in the winter and the pipes need to be protected.  No information has been given as to where it will go when the Art Institute adds an addition to the south end of the building. 

Please share to those who can make the goals of this petition a reality!  Or, even consider writing to the Art Institute.  Thank you!