I have looked forward to seeing the Olmec Trails outdoor art exhibit ever since hearing about it at The Hospitality & Tourism Summit a couple months ago. After a kickoff event last week, Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy debuted.

Olmec Trails features 33 hand-painted, large-scale renditions of iconic Mesoamerican sculptures. Highlighting the culture of the ancient Olmec civilization, the sculptures are located all throughout DuPage County, about 30 minutes west of Chicago. The exhibit is a result of a joint effort by Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, Meztli Mexico, College of DuPage Public Art Project and the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Crafted by the Olmecs between 1400 BCE to 400 BCE in Veracruz, Mexico, each stone head was made from one single stone weighing several tons. Despite using primitive tools, artists showed their skills in the amazing details created on the sculptures.

© Photo courtesy of Tommy Else.

As silly as it might sound, I have a children’s game show to thank for my interest in Olmec Trails. Back in the 1990s, my nephew and I watched Legends of the Hidden Temple, which featured stone head Olmec, who knew and revealed various secrets throughout the game. This turned into an educational lesson for both of us as we researched Olmec and discovered the history and beauty of these carved stones. When I saw a recreation of a stone head at the summit, I knew I had to see the full exhibit.

© Photo courtesy of Tommy Else.

The carved stones do not disappoint. They are magnificent. It’s obvious all involved put a lot of effort into making this exhibit a celebration of the Olmecs, Mesoamerica’s earliest civilization. As a noted lover of outdoor art, I have to say this is one of the most impressive displays I have seen.

Olmec Trails will be celebrated all summer through a variety of events. There are also efforts to bring the exhibit to other areas.

© Photo courtesy of Tommy Else.

— John Wroblewski, online writer