PUBLIC VOTING FOR ART INSTITUTE PROJECT WINDOWS ENDS AUGUST 18

Chicago Artist Robin Malpass and Wintrust Streeterville Among 90 Artist Participants Bringing de Kooning-Inspired Displays to 42 Chicago Neighborhoods

CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, August 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Chicagoans and visitors have until August 18 to vote in the Art Institute of Chicago’s 2026 Project Windows program. This year, 90 artists created Willem de Kooning-inspired displays across 42 Chicago neighborhoods. Each display includes a QR code for public voting, and all entries can also be viewed and voted on through the Project Windows website.

Among this year’s participants is Chicago visual artist Robin Malpass, whose collaboration with Wintrust Bank Streeterville brings four original abstract paintings to the bank’s lobby and exterior windows at 200 East Grand Avenue.

The collaboration marks significant milestones for both partners. It is the sixth time Malpass has participated in Project Windows, where she has previously received recognition for her installations, while 2026 marks the first year that Wintrust has participated in the citywide program.

The project also coincides with Wintrust Bank Streeterville’s recent move to its newest location at 200 East Grand Avenue. Wintrust has long served the Streeterville neighborhood, and its new home occupies the first floor of a newly constructed mixed-use high-rise.

Installed to engage viewers from both inside and outside the building, the exhibition features four original abstract paintings positioned to face the bank’s interior lobby and expansive exterior windows, creating an artistic experience for customers, neighborhood residents, and visitors passing through Streeterville.

A Partnership Rooted in Community

Unlike many corporate art partnerships, this collaboration began with an existing relationship.

Robin Malpass has banked with Wintrust for years, and the Streeterville branch serves the neighborhood where she lives. As a resident of Chicago’s iconic Lake Point Tower, she draws continual inspiration from the unique intersection of architecture, culture, tourism, business, and community that defines Streeterville and makes it one of Chicago’s most dynamic neighborhoods.

The partnership reflects the spirit of Project Windows itself—connecting artists, businesses, and neighborhoods through public art experiences that extend the reach of the Art Institute of Chicago beyond the museum’s walls.

“I’ve always believed that the best partnerships are authentic, and this one certainly is. I’ve banked with Wintrust for years because of the extraordinary people who work there—their knowledge, professionalism, and the genuine care they show their customers. The Streeterville branch is my neighborhood bank, so being invited to create this Project Windows installation is especially meaningful. I’m grateful that Wintrust believes in supporting local artists and investing in the cultural life of Chicago, and I’m honored to represent them in this year’s program.”

— Robin Malpass

Bringing the Museum Into the Neighborhood

Since 2012, Project Windows has paired artists and neighborhood businesses to create installations inspired by Art Institute exhibitions, encouraging the public to encounter art beyond the museum’s walls.

For Wintrust, participating in Project Windows reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting the communities it serves through both financial services and cultural engagement.

“As we welcome customers and neighbors to our newest Streeterville location, we wanted the space to reflect the energy, creativity, and character of the community around us. Partnering with Robin Malpass through Project Windows allows us to celebrate local talent while creating an experience that everyone passing by can enjoy. At Wintrust, we believe strong communities are built through meaningful connections, and we are proud to support this unique collaboration between art, business, and neighborhood engagement.”

— Nickki Cage
Branch Manager, Wintrust Streeterville

Inspired by Process

Malpass drew from de Kooning’s color, energetic mark-making and visible creative process while interpreting those ideas through her own artistic language. The paintings were built through scrubbing, erasing, repainting and relayering, leaving earlier passages visible beneath the surface.

A focal blue work reimagines ideas from a de Kooning landscape through Malpass’ own practice, incorporating recycled crushed glass and one of her signature tools—an old credit card.

The four paintings were created specifically for Project Windows and for their placement within Wintrust Streeterville’s newest location, where they engage viewers both inside the branch and from the surrounding streetscape.

About Robin Malpass

Robin Malpass is a Chicago visual artist whose abstract work explores layering, transformation and unconventional materials. A six-time Project Windows participant, she has exhibited at Zolla/Lieberman Gallery and is a Visual Arts Member of The Arts Club of Chicago. Her work is held in private collections throughout the United States.

About Wintrust

Wintrust is a financial holding company with approximately $71 billion in assets whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Guided by its “Different Approach, Better Results” philosophy, Wintrust offers the sophisticated resources of a large bank while providing a community banking experience to each customer. Wintrust operates more than 200 retail banking locations through 16 community bank subsidiaries in the greater Chicago, southern Wisconsin, west Michigan, northwest Indiana, and southwest Florida market areas. In addition, Wintrust operates various non-bank business units, providing residential mortgage origination, wealth management, commercial and life insurance premium financing, short-term accounts receivable financing/outsourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, and qualified intermediary services for tax-deferred exchanges. For more information, please visit wintrust.com.

Public Invitation

The public is invited to visit Wintrust Streeterville and experience Robin Malpass’ Project Windows installation.

Voting continues through August 18, 2026. Visitors may vote by scanning the QR code displayed with the installation or through the official Project Windows voting platform. Winners will be announced at the Art Institute of Chicago on August 20, 2026.

Exhibition Information

Artist: Robin Malpass
Business Partner: Wintrust Streeterville
Location: 200 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Program: Art Institute of Chicago Project Windows 2026
Voting Period: Now through August 18, 2026

Robin Malpass
Robin Malpass & Associates, Inc.
+1 312-508-0228
robin@robinmalpass.com