For diehard fans of miniature golf, one of the pure joys of summer is getting that club and little colored ball in hand and setting out for a round or two of putting fun. The idea of combining this somewhat plebeian passion with art appreciation seems a bit far-fetched, but the new School of the Art Institute gallery installation is like a dream come true. ”Par Excellence!,” which opens Saturday night and runs through Aug. 20, features 18 miniature golf holes designed by 18 artists. The playable art gallery was the brainchild of Oak Park artist Mike O`Brien, and his mini-golf hole, ”In Search of Par Excellence,” features the ”hazards of the corporate environment on the way to fame, fortune and par.” Other holes include ”The Dan Ryan Expressway,”
”Friendly Confines” and the ominous-sounding ”Duffers of the Apocalypse.” After your round, you can visit the 19th hole of this unusual art show-a wacky golf pro shop featuring putter`s sunglasses, golf tees made out of faux granite and maybe an Astroturf pin or two.
”Par Excellence!”; School of the Art Institute`s Gallery 2, 1040 W. Huron St.; 443-3703; opening reception 5-9 p.m. Saturday, continuing noon-7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays through Aug. 20; $2 to play, free to watch.
