CROSSINGS by Bernard Wiliams
CROSSINGS by Bernard Williams was a solo exhibition that traversed the Elmhurst Art Museum’s campus, and included two pole sculptures north of the Museum's McCormick House, two dynamic sculptures in Wilder Park, and additional works presented inside the Museum's Historic McCormick House designed by Mies van der Rohe. Together, the works represent an exploration of the concept of mobility—not just as physical movement forward, but as the human aspiration to rise to better circumstances.
North of the Museum buildings, two tall steel pole sculptures resembling signposts were unveiled for the 2025 exhibition. One signpost titled Spirit of Bessie Coleman honors Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman pilot and a trailblazer who created opportunities for other Black and female pilots in the early 1900s.
Thank you to the City of Elmhurst, the Public Art Commission for the City of Elmhurst, & Explore Elmhurst for providing funding to support the permanent installation of this pole sculpture on site.
The second pole sculpture, Black Cowboy, installed near The Spirit of Bessie Coleman commemorates the achievements of Black cowboys in shaping the American West after Reconstruction, connecting to the agricultural theme of Williams's Black Tractor monument installed in Wilder Park.
Bessie Coleman was celebrated in two additional pieces in CROSSINGS; A large-scale portrait bust of Bessie Coleman, together with Williams’ life-sized airplane sculpture, both presented in the Hostetler Gallery inside the Museum.
With over thirty years exhibiting his work, Williams is celebrated for his public murals, sculptures, and paintings. The works in CROSSINGS reflect Williams’ research and commitment to highlight little-known or forgotten narratives in history.
CROSSINGS also included two large sculptures installed for the summer of 2025 in Wilder Park, taking visitors on a journey through the histories of Black achievement in transportation and agriculture. A larger than life-size race car, and a monumental black tractor, joined the two tall steel signpost pieces on the north side.
Inside the Museum a large airplane in the Hostetler Gallery was visible from the park, along with a monumental bust of aviator Bessie Coleman. Additional works by Williams were presented inside the Museum galleries and in the McCormick House.
In Wilder Park, a race car titled Route 27, honored Wendell Scott, the first Black man to win a NASCAR premier league event. The body of the car included Williams' paintings of site-specific symbolism— for Elmhurst, the artist recognized the lifetime achievements of local NASCAR winner, Fred Lorenzen (1934-2024).
Black Tractor (2020) honors the strength, power, and labor of African-American farmers in the US. In this work, Williams incorporated his own family history. The sculpture was funded by a small inheritance from his uncle, an Alabama-based farmer who distributed money from the historic Black Farmers Settlement to his relatives.
Announcing the exhibition, Allison Peters Quinn, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Elmhurst Art Museum said, “We’re excited to share Williams’s compelling artworks in Wilder Park, bringing Elmhurst residents and visitors an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge art in an accessible, public setting. "Bernard’s works challenge traditional views on sculpture, offering a fresh perspective on form, space, and common materials. The exhibition highlights Elmhurst Art Museums’ commitment to fostering creativity and promoting artistic expression within the community.“
Curated by Allison Peters Quinn, CROSSINGS ran from May 1 to August 17, 2025.
Image: Spirit of Bessie Coleman, 12 ft x 5 ft x 5ft. Courtesy of Elmhurst Art Museum and© Bernard Williams