The weekend of EXPO CHICAGO, April 8–12, invites you to engage with art in a once-a-year setting in Chicago, even if you never even make it to the fair. It’s the time of year, throughout the city, when new exhibitions open, special presentations are on view, there are talks, tours, satellite fairs, coffees, parties, even a cake social. The CGN team has a few dates we won’t miss. We hope to see you there! 

View CGN's full calendar here, updated daily!

– CGN Staff

RenBen 2026

This year’s RenBen for the Renaissance Society is a silent dinner party. Curated by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, dinner is at the Chicago Athletic Association. Guests will see what happens when there is no small-talk, or any talk at all...

April 8, 7–10pm

EXPO Vernissage

EXPO CHICAGO’s Vernissage benefit offers a first look at the fair and supports the MCA. It starts at 10am and is by invitation. Tickets may also be purchased for additional times and days. 

April 9

IAM The Party

Art: IAM the party is the most exciting way to celebrate Intuit’s 35th anniversary and the 1st birthday of the expanded Museum. Honoring Nick Cave, Bob Faust and Jerry Stefl.

Intuit Art Museum

April 10

Deborah Koo

VSG Cake Social

VSG Contemporary opens an exhibition of Deborah Koo’s tantalizing cake paintings and Mason Pott’s lush works featuring assemblages of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Luckily gallery owner Allan Weinberger is serving cake from 12–5pm. CGN will be there, so stop by to say hi and enjoy some cake!

April 11, 12–5pm

Lou Beach

An Exhibition Honoring Tony Fitzpatrick

SoNA Chicago Art Gallery is hosting Pieces Too Short to Save: A Survey of Contemporary Collage that honors the late Tony Fitzpatrick. The group show features works created by the artist’s friends. The opening on April 11 will also feature poetry readings by Fitzpatrick's family and friends.

Reception April 11

Western Exhibition's 2026 Barely Fair booth

Barely Fair

BARELY FAIR's 2026 edition of Chicago's international 1:12 scale art fair returns, operated by JULIUS CAESAR artist collective and includes 30 artist-run spaces, commercial galleries, and curatorial projects from around the world.

April 3-19

Neighbors

A new art fair, called Neighbors, will take place in a 1,200 square foot Gold Coast apartment in a historic building designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw. The satellite fair is the vision of a Chicago collector who wants to show art in a domestic setting. Several galleries from Chicago art participating, as well as others from around the country.

April 8–12