CONVERSATION WITH THE PUBLISHER

Ed Wojcicki

Award recognizes innovation and extraordinary public service

by Ed Wojcicki

What is this? I mumbled to myself one June evening on Lake Shore Drive as I pulled into Chicago. What are these painted cows doing here?

Colonized Bovine
Chicago artist adam Brooks painted this "Colonized Bovine" that resides near the corner of Michigan and Superior;outside of Saks Fifth Avenue in Chicago.Brooks used the age-old tradition of planting a flag to claim a territory as a way of depicting that this cow has been colonized by the local culture.
I parked in the Loop and approached my hotel, only to see a few more colorful cows standing around on busy city sidewalks. 1 found out soon enough: They are Cows on Parade,TM an exhibition that has captured the fancy of Chicago artists, residents and visitors. It's a project of the city's Department of Cultural Affairs, led by Lois Weisberg. How fitting that this fall Weisberg will receive the eighth annual Motorola Excellence in Public Service Award, sponsored by the North Business & Industrial Council (NORBIC) and Illinois Issues. The award goes to an appointed official who has been innovative and a team player in performing great public service.
Weisberg has been Chicago's cultural commissioner since 1989 but has remained largely out of the public eye. despite her accomplishments.

But she was featured in The New Yorker magazine in January, which offered this assessment: "She's a grandmother, she lives in a big house in Chicago, and you've never heard of her. Does she rule the world?" Maybe not, but socially and culturally, "Weisberg is connected, by a very short chain, to nearly everyone," the magazine explains. She mixes with groups as diverse as doctors, writers, railroad buffs and flea-market fans. She has earned kudos for launching the Chicago Cultural Center, playing a major role in organizing the Gallery 37 arts education program and enhancing Chicago's Sister Cities program.

She has greatly influenced the way Chicago does festivals. She organized a huge birthday party for the Picasso sculpture at the Daley Center, for example. And now she's brought us the cows.

I am among many who think they're refreshing and fun. I salute Weisberg for winning the Motorola award.

Illinois Issues September 1999 3