Coming to Chicago · EPiC
EPiC — Elephant Parade in Chicago — brings the world's largest touring exhibition of hand-painted elephant sculptures to Chicago for the first time.
Elephant Parade® · Where Art, Business & Conservation Unite
The Exhibition
Elephant Parade® is the world's largest touring exhibition of hand-painted elephant sculptures — each standing an impressive five feet tall. Each edition places uniquely decorated sculptures across a host city, transforming public spaces into open-air galleries that unite art, conservation, and community.
EPiC will place 25 of these stunning sculptures across Chicago for a three-month open-air exhibition. Each sculpture is a one-of-a-kind work of art, hand-painted by a commissioned artist, displayed at ground level where anyone can experience it up close — free of charge.
After the exhibition, sculptures are auctioned by prestigious auction houses, with proceeds benefiting elephant welfare and conservation programs worldwide.
The Foundation
Each sculpture is a unique artwork created by a commissioned artist. Every piece is different, every piece tells a story, and together they transform Chicago into an open-air gallery that anyone can walk through — free of charge.
Elephant Parade is proof that commerce and purpose can share the same stage. 20% of net profits go directly to elephant welfare. Sponsors, hosts, and partners join a mission-driven movement with measurable global impact.
Every exhibition is a structural, ongoing source of income for Asian elephant welfare — funding hospitals, protecting habitat, and raising public awareness on a scale that art alone makes possible.
The Story Behind It All
In the forests near the Burmese border, a seven-month-old baby elephant named Mosha stepped on a landmine and lost her leg. She became the first elephant in history to receive a prosthetic limb.
When Marc Spits visited the elephant hospital in Thailand where Mosha was being cared for, he was so moved that he returned home and, together with his son Mike, founded Elephant Parade in 2006. Their goal: use the universal language of art to raise awareness and funds for the endangered Asian elephant.
Mosha still lives at the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital in Lampang, Thailand. She receives a new prosthetic leg each year, and each year must learn to walk again. Every Elephant Parade exhibition — including Chicago's — carries her story forward.
The inaugural Elephant Parade exhibition debuted in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in 2007. The Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital — Mosha's home — was the very first beneficiary of funds generated by Elephant Parade.
Since then, Elephant Parade has contributed over €2 million to elephant welfare programs worldwide, supporting everything from veterinary care and prosthetics to leasing land where wild elephants can safely migrate, breed, and live.
"We wanted to help Mosha and create something structural that would be profitable in the long run. This is the only way in which we can provide the elephant with a sustainable future."
— Marc & Mike Spits, Founders, Elephant Parade
How It Works
EPiC works with property owners, community partners, and artists to bring the exhibition to life across Chicago's neighborhoods.
EPiC enters a License Agreement with Elephant Parade International, unlocking the global brand, 25 sculptures, and world-class support.
Chicago-based and invited artists transform each elephant into a unique work of art reflecting our city's culture and creative spirit.
Sculptures are installed on private properties across Chicago — creating a free, walkable trail of discovery through the city.
For three months, Chicagoans and visitors explore the city to find each elephant — building community and driving foot traffic citywide.
The exhibition closes with a finale event. Sculptures are auctioned with proceeds benefiting local charitable organizations and global elephant conservation.
Our Mission
"Let's paint a brighter future." — Elephant Parade International
Elephant Parade® is a social enterprise — every exhibition is designed not just to delight, but to give back. Chicago will be no different.
EPiC will partner with local Chicago charitable organizations, bringing the Elephant Parade tradition of purposeful giving to our city. Beneficiary organizations will be chosen in keeping with the broader Elephant Parade mission of conservation, community, and creative impact.
When you experience Elephant Parade Chicago, you become part of something global — a movement spanning 35 cities, two decades, and millions raised for one of the world's most beloved and endangered species.
About Elephant Parade®
Elephant Parade® is the world's largest touring exhibition of hand-painted elephant sculptures. Since founding in 2006, the organization has staged exhibitions in over 35 cities across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, contributing over €2 million to elephant welfare worldwide.
Elephant Parade International BV (EPI), based in the Netherlands, licenses and supports each city's exhibition — providing sculptures, brand standards, and international marketing reach. Their US partner, EPUSA, serves as the exhibition generator and agreement manager for North American events.
The first American edition landed in Dana Point, California in 2013. The brand remains vibrantly active — with exhibitions currently running in Bangkok (2025–26) and Amsterdam's 750th anniversary celebration in 2025. Chicago joins a living, ongoing global tradition.
Elephant Parade International B.V. · Aalsmeer, The Netherlands · elephantparade.com
Why It Works
Every city that has hosted Elephant Parade has experienced lasting value across three dimensions.
Elephant Parade Chicago engages local artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions — creating a shared civic experience that brings neighborhoods together around creativity, purpose, and local pride.
Elephant Parade draws regional, national, and international visitors. Past host cities have seen significant increases in destination travel, media coverage, and visitor engagement throughout the exhibition period.
The exhibition drives increased commercial activity — benefiting host properties, surrounding businesses, hospitality, and retail. Each elephant sculpture becomes a destination that generates ongoing foot traffic.
A Global Journey
From a single city in the Netherlands to stages across four continents — Chicago is next.
Get Involved
Elephant Parade Chicago is taking shape. We're looking for the people and organizations who want to help build it.
Property owners and managers can host an elephant sculpture at their location for the duration of the exhibition — bringing foot traffic, visibility, and community connection to your space.
Each elephant is a blank canvas. We're seeking Chicago-based artists to transform life-size sculptures into works that reflect our city's character and creativity.
Civic leaders, cultural institutions, and community organizations can help guide the exhibition and connect it meaningfully to Chicago's neighborhoods from the ground up.
We're inviting sponsors and funding partners to join us in bringing this world-class exhibition to life — with meaningful visibility and real community impact in return.
Connect With EPiC
Whether you have a property in mind or you're an artist who wants to paint an elephant, we want to hear from you.
For Property Owners & Managers
Interested in displaying one of the 25 sculptures at your location? Tell us about your property and how you'd like to be part of the exhibition.
For Chicago-Based Artists
Each of the 25 elephants is painted by a commissioned artist. If you're a Chicago-based artist interested in being considered, introduce yourself here.