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Tour: Fresh Take with Derek Erdman

About

Each month we invite a witty, opinionated, creative public figure to lead a tour of their favorite artworks on view in our galleries—highlighted by their personality and unique perspective.

This month, prankster Derek Erdman leads visitors through the museum.

Fresh Take Tours are organized by Tour Coordinator Lacey Whittaker.

This tour is recommended for visitors ages 16 and above.

About the Guide

Derek Erdman is known as an artist and prankster who announced his return to Chicago from Seattle by posting "GIVE THE RATS A FREE MEAL & SAY HELLO" flyers alongside the city's anti-rat posters in alleys and on telephone poles. Seattle was so sad he left that The Stranger called his departure a “local tragedy."

Erdman was born in Ohio and has been making paintings and drawings for the past 17 years. He’s made over 6,000 paintings and has illustrations in what he calls “a lot of pretty good magazines and books.” In an effort to decorate his own home, he taught himself how to paint. Erdman now works part-time at a civil rights law firm and enjoys skiing, running, sleeping, eating, and playing with his cats.