Built in 1897 as Chicago’s first public library, the building’s interior includes antique brass, rare imported marbles, and mosaics of Favrile glass, colored stone and mother of pearl. The building’s most notable features are its two spectacular stained glass domes. The world’s largest art glass dome by Tiffany, located in Preston Bradley Hall, is approximately 38 feet in diameter; its some 30,000 pieces of glass cover more than 1,000 square feet. The body of the dome has a “fish scale” pattern, while the center shows the signs of the zodiac.  In 2008 it was restored to Tiffany’s original vision when a concrete outer dome that had been added in the 1930s was removed, thereby allowing natural light through the stained glass and into the room for the first time in decades. On the other side of the building, the Healy & Millet dome in the G.A.R. Rotunda was executed in a colorful and intricate Renaissance floral pattern. It is tentatively scheduled for restoration in 2009.

 

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and its partners present a wide range of the performing, visual and literary arts at the Cultural Center. Programs showcase classical, jazz, world, folk, pop and vocal music concerts; readings and performances of new and classic plays; modern dance performances; film screenings; lectures and art discussions; and more. Exhibitions ranging from international traveling shows to one-person shows by local artists present a wide range of traditional and new media, including painting, sculpture, photography, graphics, crafts, architecture and design.