The Obama Foundation today announced the final group of major artist commissions for the Obama Presidential Center in advance of the June 19 opening in Chicago. Njideka Akunyili Crosby, María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Jeffrey Gibson, Rashid Johnson, Hugo McCloud, Martin Puryear, Lorna Simpson, and Norman Teague are creating major site-specific works for the campus, joining a growing roster of artists whose work is central to the Center’s vision of civic engagement.
María Magdalena Campos-Pons' commission, Still Holding the Scent of Flowers, is a mixed-media installation of the White House Rose Garden, near the replica of the Oval Office in the Museum exhibits. The work weaves roses, tulips, magnolias, pink and blue hyacinths, carrots, broccoli, herbs, and apple tree blossoms into a meditation on the American landscape, drawing on the history of the garden and Mrs. Obama’s focus on healthy eating. Campos-Pons’ interpretation of the White House Rose Garden is inscribed in bloom forever as a symbol of memory, renewal, diversity, and hope.
“From the very beginning, we imagined the Obama Presidential Center as a place where art would deepen our visitors’ curiosity and inspiration. These extraordinary artists bring forward different stories, perspectives, and styles that reflect the richness of our shared values,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation. “Their works will invite every visitor to see themselves as part of something bigger than themselves, and inspire them to bring change home.”
Spanning the full breadth of the campus, the new commissions place art within spaces where people gather, commune, and connect, embedding a wide range of cultural traditions and materials into the fabric of everyday life at the Center. The artists bring together Indigenous drum-making, Afro-Asian Cuban symbolism, conceptual photography, industrial materials, historic ephemera, and locally rooted inclusive design, united by a shared investment in place, memory, and community.
Opening this June, the Obama Presidential Center will celebrate the legacy of President and Mrs. Obama and their belief that ordinary people working together can accomplish extraordinary things. The 19.3-acre campus will include a museum, public library, fruit and vegetable garden, athletic center, programming facilities, and expansive outdoor spaces designed to welcome everyone, from local neighbors to visitors from around the world.
“These latest artists join 22 previously announced distinguished practitioners - and as a collective, they showcase the depth and breadth of President and Mrs. Obama’s commitment to public art and artists whose practices illuminate the complexities of place, identity, and belonging,” said Dr. Louise Bernard, Founding Director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum. “Their contributions will anchor the Center in a vibrant artistic legacy that speaks to the values President and Mrs. Obama championed: openness, engagement, and a profound respect for the diverse stories that shape our nation. Each artist brings a distinct voice and practice that transforms our public spaces into places of reflection, joy, and connection.”
From its inception, the Obama Presidential Center envisioned the arts as a core part of its mission. This commitment builds upon the legacy that President and Mrs. Obama instilled at the White House, making it the “People’s House” by opening its doors to diverse voices, disciplines, and perspectives. The commissioned art collection at the Center will carry this ethos forward, amplifying its impact through vibrant public arts programming that brings the collection to life in dynamic and accessible ways. Through performances, workshops, talks, and partnerships, this programming will engage the public, inspire creativity, and spark meaningful dialogue—ensuring that the collection remains at the heart of the visitor experience and a catalyst for community connection.
These commissions join previously announced works by Lindsay Adams, Mark Bradford, Tyanna J. Buie, Nekisha Durrett, Spencer Finch, Theaster Gates, Jay Heikes, Jenny Holzer, Richard Hunt, Jules Julien, Idris Khan, Maya Lin, Julie Mehretu, Aliza Nisenbaum, Jack Pierson, Alison Saar, Kiki Smith, Carrie Mae Weems, and collaborations between Nick Cave and Marie Watt, and Sam Kirk and Dorian Sylvain. Together they expand the Center’s mission to weave art into civic life, reflecting the Obamas’ longstanding commitment to public art.
