CHICAGO — Starting Friday, pedestrians in downtown Edgebrook noticed a new presence guarding Devon Avenue.
The neighborhood group Everyday Edgebrook sponsored a 4-foot metal sculpture of an extra-wide-eyed owl and set it in front of Local Goods Chicago, 5422 W. Devon Ave., where it will stay for one year, group president Laura Guenther said.
The piece came courtesy of the non-profit arts group Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, which helps artists find temporary homes for their work. Edgebrook business leaders chose the owl because of the neighborhood's proximity to multiple Cook County Forest Preserves, hoping that "a beautiful work of art would attract people to the neighborhood," Guenther said.
"There are a ton of people driving up and down Devon every day, but they're not necessarily stopping," Guenther said. "We thought this might drive some attention from them, and get some pedestrians to stop too."
Artist Todd Willing originally titled the sculpture "Night Watch," but the group is asking the public to offer fresh ideas for a nickname. Users of Facebook, Twitter or Instagram can tag Everyday Edgebrook with their ideas and the hashtag #owl.