In the gloomy winter of Chicago, the sun is seldom seen. In Greektown, however, 24 vibrant, colorful sun sculptures brighten the streets.

Helios the Sun Shining in the Sky by Molly McGrath.

Hello Helios! The Warming Suns of Chicago’s Greektown is the latest outdoors art exhibit on the Near West Side of Chicago. On my way to watch the DePaul women’s basketball game at Wintrust Arena, I made a slight detour to see the 24 sun sculpture artworks located on a few-block stretch in the heart of Greektown.

Helios Over Rhodes by Kiki Whitehead.

Sponsored by Greektown SSA #16 and produced by the Greektown Arts Committee in partnership with the Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation, the sculptures were painted by Chicago artists along with seven Chicagoland Greek schools. The sculptures are named for Helios, the god of the sun in Greek mythology.

Koroibos by Olga Metropolis and students.

Earlier this year I wrote a Global Traveler blog about the Fanciful Fish sculptures in Greektown. I was happy to see those sculptures still on the streets. I love seeing all of the public art. It’s extra-cool seeing the fish mixed with the sun sculptures.

Tower of the Son by T. Shallow, M. Vasilou and A. Hayashi.

In previous years in other parts Chicago, street art sculptures included cows, globes, pianos and other objects beautifying the landscape. Like Fanciful Fish, Hello Helios has a big advantage, though. It is possible to see all of the sun sculptures within a short walking distance. Also, while there, take your pick of the many excellent Greek restaurants.

Sun, Sun, Sun by Vasiliki Valkanas.

— John Wroblewski, online writer

Helios, the Greek Sun God by E. Alexandrakis, J. Rasoulis, D. Kontos, T. Behlis and K. Denic.

Oshin by Malika Jackson.