Spring and summer is shaping up to be a busy season in Chicago’s art world, with new exhibitions across galleries and museums. Behind the scenes, many people in the community are working tirelessly to support artists and bring fresh perspectives to the public. We spoke with five insiders about what excites them now and what they anticipate next.

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Barbara Cooper – Artist

“Being in the exhibition A Tale of Today: Materialities, curated by Dr. Giovanni Aloi, at the Driehaus Museum earlier this year has been a fabulous opportunity to connect my studio work with the large-scale permanent and site-specific public artwork that is the other side of my practice. 

Currently, I am working on a three-part grouping of CNC-routed bas reliefs, a very different process for me, to be installed next year at Chicago State University’s Health Simulation Lab.

Both scales involve considering the architectural space and how it functions with those who use the space. Both exist outside of the white box of the gallery and come with the challenge of their own unique materials, opportunities, and complexities.

Also on view this year is an earlier work in the MCA’s Descending the Staircase exhibition and the 20th anniversary show at Metropolitan Capital Bank.”

barbaracooperartist.com