In a surprise appearance, the Obamas greeted the first 100 visitors to the Obama Presidential Center that first opened to the public on Juneteenth on Chicago's South Side.
In awe, guests shook hands with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama against the backdrop of a colorful, 38-foot-tall painting depicting a map of Chicago stretching to the ceiling – inspired by Carl Sandburg's 1914 poem about the city: "stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders."
The room is framed by the towering painting by Mark Bradford, and an exhibit of dozens of pink tambourines that dangle from the ceiling by thin silver wire, credited to artist Lava Thomas. The pink color is a nod to the 2017 Women's March. In the room, you’ll also find instruments with fragments of text from speeches by abolitionist Sojourner Truth and Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza – this is meant to represent "our shared humanity," according to the artwork's plaque description. A floor-to-ceiling window overlooks the center's outdoor John Lewis Plaza, in which larger-than-life statues of the Obamas wave to visitors.
The Obamas – Barack in a blue button-down shirt and dark-colored slacks, Michelle wearing a brown, sleeveless top and tan pants – warmly greeted the press pool as they walked into the room at 10:48 am Chicago time. "Hey, people! Good morning, good to see you," Barack exclaimed.
Obama mimicked a drum roll as the first guests arrived, a playful sign of anticipation and excitement for the newfound community.
Museum goers trickled into the room, chatting, curious and vibrating with energy, faces transforming to shock and delight as they spotted the Obamas waiting to welcome them.
"Oh my gosh," said a woman with two young kids. They waited in a short line to meet the Obamas.
"We got our future presidents here," Obama said to the family.
A young boy, around five or six, in green high-top sneakers, gleefully chirped "Hi!" to the former president, who gave him a high five.
A couple with a baby stood in line, smiles filling their faces, as they waited to meet the Obamas. During their turn, the baby waved at Obama and grabbed his hand.
A woman in a red and black dress holding a baby sleeping peacefully on her shoulder fanned her face as she waited. A young boy beside her, wearing a red and black plaid shirt, grinned with his whole face in excitement.
While holding both the baby and a young girl, the woman hugged the president and the former First Lady. The baby stayed fast asleep the whole time.
As the final guests passed through, the Obamas made their exit, and the museum opened its doors to the rest of the guests.
