Chicago Children’s Museum opens restored Richard Hunt sculpture experience

Chicago Children’s Museum will open a permanent, hands-on exhibit built around Richard Hunt’s 1971 sculpture “Sea Wall” on Nov. 21 at Navy Pier. The display revives a work nearly lost during a hospital renovation and turns it into a new interactive space for children to explore Hunt’s art and legacy.

Why it matters: - Chicago Children’s Museum is turning a rescued Richard Hunt sculpture into a permanent play-and-learning experience for children and caregivers. - The exhibit preserves a rare work by Hunt, one of only two sculptures he made specifically for children. - The project also gives young visitors a direct introduction to one of Chicago’s most influential artists.

What happened: - Chicago Children’s Museum will debut the restored “Sea Wall” exhibit on Nov. 21 at Navy Pier. - The sculpture was originally created in 1971 for the children’s center lobby at the former Michael Reese Hospital. - The exhibit is described as a permanent museum experience. - The project reimagines the sculpture as an interactive installation for children and families.

The details: - “Sea Wall” once held aquaria for children visiting the hospital. - During hospital renovations in the mid-2000s, a demolition contractor began cutting up the sculpture for removal. - Oscar Edmond, a hospital employee familiar with Hunt’s work, recognized the piece and stopped the demolition. - Edmond received permission from the hospital to salvage the sculpture. - Edmond stored the sculpture parts in his garage for years. - In 2024, Edmond and his wife, Karen, were downsizing and realized the sculpture had been commissioned by the Ruttenberg family. - The Edmonds reached out to the Ruttenbergs, who then took possession of the piece. - In June 2024, the Ruttenberg family decided to bring the sculpture to Chicago Children’s Museum for restoration and reinterpretation. - The newly imagined exhibit includes hands-on activities such as a build-your-own diorama, a sand spinner, and a mystery box with aquatic animals. - The space also includes a miniature water-scene diorama, bubbles, and a digital aquarium. - Ceramic tiles with aquatic images and textures were created in CCM’s Art Studio by Chicago children. - The exhibit includes a panel on Richard Hunt and his legacy. - Visitors can also use real artifacts from Hunt’s studio in a tactile experience. - Children will be able to see and touch tools Hunt made by hand to support his artistic process. - The exhibit highlights the ways Hunt drew inspiration from the natural world. - Chicago Children’s Museum says the installation respects Hunt’s original intentions while giving children a calm, curious hands-on experience. - The museum is located at Navy Pier, at 700 E. Grand Ave.

Between the lines: - The sculpture’s survival depended on a chain of chance, recognition, and intervention from people outside the art world. - Bringing “Sea Wall” to Navy Pier places Hunt’s work in a highly visible Chicago setting tied to children and public access. - The exhibit leans into Hunt’s process as much as his finished work, using tools, textures, and sensory play to make the artist legible to young visitors. - The project also reinforces Hunt’s legacy as a Chicago-born sculptor whose work still shapes public art conversations.

What’s next: - Families and caregivers will be able to experience the exhibit starting Nov. 21. - The sculpture is expected to remain a long-term feature at Chicago Children’s Museum. - More information is available through the Sea Wall exhibit page and museum media resources.

The bottom line: - A sculpture that nearly ended up destroyed is now becoming a permanent, interactive tribute to Richard Hunt’s art and imagination.