“Other Washingtons” Reimagines Monument in Chicago's Washington Park
On August 11, 2026, the public art installation titled “Other Washingtons” was inaugurated in Washington Park, Chicago. This project, created by artist Amanda Williams, features blue flags representing Black Americans who share the name Washington, encircling the statue of George Washington. It is part of the Chicago Monuments Project, initiated by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), aimed at improving diversity in public monuments. Among the highlighted individuals are George Washington Carver and Denzel Washington. The flags will change annually for three years, forming a “living archive.” Funded by a $6.8 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, the installation stands in contrast to federal initiatives during President Trump’s administration, with Mayor Brandon Johnson calling it a national exemplar.
Key facts
- The installation “Other Washingtons” opened on Thursday in Washington Park, Chicago.
- It was conceptualized by artist and architect Amanda Williams.
- It is part of the Chicago Monuments Project, initiated by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).
- The installation features blue flags with faces of Black Americans named Washington, including George Washington Carver, Denzel Washington, Roberta Washington, and Benjamin Washington.
- The flags and banners will rotate annually for three years.
- The design is modeled after flags at the Washington Monument in D.C., with colors referencing George Washington Carver's palette.
- The original George Washington statue has been in place since 1904 and was vandalized in June 2020.
- Census research shows Washington is a surname predominantly associated with Black Americans, with about 90% identifying as African American in the 2000s.
- The project is one of eight commissions funded by a $6.8 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke at the opening, calling it a national model for public art investment.
Entities
Artists
- Amanda Williams
- George Washington Carver
- Denzel Washington
- Roberta Washington
- Benjamin Washington
- Candice Washington
- Mahalia Jackson
- Leo Friedlander
Institutions
- Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
- Chicago Monuments Project
- Mellon Foundation
- Washington Park
- National Garden of American Heroes
- White House
- Lincoln Memorial
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- Washington Park
- South Side
- Virginia
- France
- Washington, D.C.