<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1781214480/xvxywp9fej9f5mvbuvpd.jpg">Jeanne Gang and CAC CEO Eleanor Gorski. Photos by CGN. By GINNY VAN ALYEA A new exhibition opening June 11 at the <a href="https://www.architecture.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chicago Architecture Center</a> invites visitors to consider Chicago's built environment through the lens of one of the city's most important seasonal visitors: migratory birds. Developed in partnership with Jeanne Gang and Studio Gang, Flyway City explores how architecture and urban design can help protect wildlife along the Mississippi Flyway, which runs through Chicago and is one of North America's major bird migration routes. Through interactive displays, research, design case studies, and hands-on activities, the exhibition highlights both the challenges birds face in urban environments and the solutions available to architects, building owners, and residents. "Chicago is such an amazing place because it is on this migratory flyway. So we want to lean into that identity," Gang said. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1781214481/l94h1m1uewrpj8nj3e3v.jpg">Birds that have collided with glass The exhibition examines the growing movement toward bird-friendly design. One of the most notable and compelling take-aways of the exhibition is being able to view the application on the CAC’s river-facing windows of an adhesive film of barely visible clear dots, which when used on the glass creates enough of a visual for birds that they redirect flight and are significantly less likely to crash. This is especially useful and easy to do for existing buildings, including residences, as window coverings or protections are needed up to the tree canopy or about 100 feet. New construction can use specially formulated glass.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1781214481/ugleoiuz9pwwwypmtcva.jpg">A display shows how birds collide with glass Visitors will also learn about Chicago's unique biodiversity and the role architecture can play in supporting urban habitats. For Gang, the project brings together longtime interests in both the natural and built worlds. "The reason why that I wanted to do this exhibit and partner with CAC,” explained Gang, “was that in my whole career, even growing up, I love nature and also cities and architecture. I've been working on this for a long time to understand how to make cities more attractive to wildlife and nature, as well as how to make sure that the buildings and the built environment respond and protect them. Chicago is such an amazing place because it is on this migratory flyway, hence the flyway city. So we want to lean into that identity.” Beyond raising awareness, Flyway City aims to inspire action. The exhibition offers practical ideas for homeowners and building managers while encouraging broader conversations about policy and urban planning. CAC CEO Eleanor Gorski shared, “I'm thrilled that we have the flexibility to [do this exhibition at the Architecture Center], but also our mission is to create better design through living and that means not just for people but for everyone who's part of our environment. We have over half a million people that come through here annually, especially during the summer months. We have a lot of visitors that come on our walking tours, on boat tours. We saw this as a great way to educate people about the flyway in general and specifically about architecture and how that dovetails with our living environment.” With that kind of critical mass in mind Gang added, ”We're going to try to create this whole class of advocates for bird safety in the city.” The exhibition will remain on view through the end of the year, inviting visitors to rethink Chicago not only as a city for people, but as a habitat shared with countless other living species. "We want Chicago to really be a city that's about nature and cities and protect birds that fly through here and live here," Gang said. Details at <a href="https://www.architecture.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">architecture.org</a> #

A preview of the new exhibtion Flyway CIty at the Chicago Architecture Center with Jeanne Gang

Jeanne Gang and Chicago Architecture Center Launch "Flyway City”

<h3>June's busy first weekend continues, with some exhibition openings, gallery walks and art fairs happening. Pistachios features artistic jewelry by four Swedish artists. Mariane Ibrahim shows ceramics by Jennifer Rochlin. Jeff Carter considers the last remaining building from Michael Reese Hospital. Tour two West Town galleries with Art Encounter, make art with artist Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford in Elmhurst, and visit the 79th annual 57th Street Art Fair in Hyde Park. Grove Gallery has an opening in Evanston too. </h3><h3> </h3><h3>Browse the full CGN calendar <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);" target="_blank">here</a></h3> <h3>– CGN</h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680563/ckyvagvseg2ir8nwgwe7.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/jennifer-rochlin-the-horizon-keeps-moving" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jennifer Rochlin: The Horizon Keeps Moving</a></h3>Jun 6, 2026 - Jul 18, 2026 Mariane Ibrahim• West Town Marking the gallery’s second solo exhibition with Jennifer Rochlin, on view in Chicago from June 6 through July 18, 2026, the presentation will unveil a new body of ceramic vessels and paintings in which personal narrative, memory, and material experimentation are closely interwoven. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680564/qhlh8tk1fkvsxkbxd255.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/mystic-meadows" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mystic Meadows</a></h3> Jun 4, 2026 - Aug 30, 2026Opening: Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Pistachios Contemporary Art Jewelry and Objects• River North Mystic Meadows is an ethereal exhibition with dark undertones. Featuring work from four Swedish artists - Hanna Liljenberg, Karin Roy Andersson, and Märta Mattsson and Sofia Bjorkman - the exhibition addresses themes of repetition, transience, rebirth, and the tension that lies between beauty and decay.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680565/pmdcd5skvyl6evpnevgf.png"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/a-modest-pile-sean-patrick-hannaway" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Modest Pile: Sean Patrick Hannaway</a></h3> Jun 6 - Jun 20, 2026Opening: Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Chicago Truborn• West Town Opening Saturday, June 6, "A Modest Pile" marks&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehway/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@thehway</a>&nbsp;return to Chicago Truborn with a focused presentation of new work that blends Renaissance painting, street culture, found objects, and a dry sense of humor into something entirely his own. Born and based in Chicago, Hannaway is known for transforming ornate rococo mirrors from the 1960s into richly layered paintings. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680566/fqccrcwrifpeclrnzew8.png"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/jeff-carter-the-singer-pavilion-project" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jeff Carter: The Singer Pavilion Project</a></h3> Jun 6, 2026 - Sep 20, 2026 Hyde Park Art Center• Hyde Park Exploring the historic and architectural significance of the Singer Pavilion—the only building remaining of the former Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Bronzeville, the exhibition prompts critical reflection on the Modernist promise of social progress, and considers how architectural ideals are compromised by histories of institutional failure, abandonment, and inequality. ﻿<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680567/ypda4fczcu1lmb7w8ljf.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/in-the-absence-of-space" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">In the Absence of Space</a></h3> Jun 6 - Jun 28, 2026Opening: Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM The Grove Gallery• Evanston, IL Hosted by the Evanston ASPA (Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander American) Association <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680568/ik9bjjouaayv94y5fbjr.jpg">Jennifer Rochlin is exhibiting at Mariane Ibrahim <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/weekend-art-walk-west-town-galleries-6-26" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Weekend Art Walk: West Town Galleries</a></h3> Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM Art Encounter• West Town Visit two expansive West Town galleries – Secrist Beach and Mariane Ibrahim – with Joanna Pinsky to explore intriguing exhibitions based on personal and magical narratives.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680568/nwfp3hvhcehjqbphneym.png"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/create-with-artist-jeremiah-hulsebos-spofford" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Create With Artist Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford</a></h3> Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Elmhurst Art Museum• Elmhurst Jeremiah will speak about his sculptures and his practice, and then guide participants through art-making inspired by his work. Included with museum admission.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680569/ujgsdkgcvrbv1gnvcuz2.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/79th-annual-57th-street-art-fair" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">79th Annual 57th Street Art Fair</a></h3> Jun 6, 2026 - Jun 7, 2026 57th Street Art Fair• Hyde Park The 57th Street Art Fair, the Midwest’s oldest juried art fair run by a committee of dedicated volunteers, will mark its 79th year featuring nearly 200 artists, kids’ activities, live music presented by Buddy Guy’s Legends, and Food Trucks for attendees to enjoy delicious bites from Chicago.

New Exhibitions and Events: June 6

<h3>The first Friday of June brings a busy lineup of exhibition openings, receptions, and special events across Chicago. Beyond Illinois there is a local art fair taking place in Kalamazoo, and a gallery reopens with a new name in Milwaukee's Third Ward. In West Town, several new exhibitions open at ARC Gallery, The Golden Triangle, and Chicago Sculpture International, while Chicago Grand Gallery in Ukrainian Village and Forum 301 in River North each host closing receptions. </h3><h3> </h3><h3>Browse the full CGN calendar <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);" target="_blank">here</a></h3> <h3>– CGN</h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680369/j5grcb03lvco2v348hna.png"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/body-sovereignty-frontgroup-solo-back" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">• Body Sovereignty</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/body-sovereignty-frontgroup-solo-back" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">• Solo</a></h3> Jun 5 - Jun 26, 2026Opening: Friday, Jun 5, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ARC Gallery• West Town <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680369/uymvkynvdu6mcbmc9iua.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/motion-pictures-lawrence-schiller" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Motion Pictures: Lawrence Schiller</a></h3> Jun 5 - Jun 23, 2026Opening: Friday, Jun 5, 2026 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Hilton Contemporary• River North Photography and cinematic storytelling through the lens of Lawrence Schiller. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680370/avoz1znp7o6irwrnkxlr.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/echoes-of-the-afterlife-selections-from-the-john-d-nichols-collection" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Echoes of the Afterlife Selections from the John D. Nichols Collection</a></h3> Jun 5, 2026 - Nov 28, 2026 The Golden Triangle• West Town The Golden Triangle presents&nbsp;Echoes of the Afterlife, a major exhibition featuring selections from the John D. Nichols Collection of ancient Chinese tomb pottery. Spanning more than two hundred pieces of terra cotta pottery and bronzes dating from 2000 BCE to 1000 CE, the exhibition showcases rare and historically significant objects discovered at archaeological sites throughout Northern China. The collection includes vessels, human figures, animals, architectural models, and ritual objects originally created for burial and the afterlife. Many of these works have never before been publicly exhibited and represent one of the largest private collections of ancient Chinese tomb pottery shown in North America. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680371/fehyudo5e6urylgso595.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/natalia-shutiak-her" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Natalia Shutiak: HER</a></h3> Jun 5, 2026 - Jun 27, 2026Opening: Friday, Jun 5, 2026 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Chicago Grand Gallery• Ukrainian Village HER explores the unstable terrain of memory, sensation, and inner perception. Moving between figuration and abstraction, the exhibition unfolds as a psychological landscape where identity becomes fluid, fragmented, and constantly shifting. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680371/ve4lhi12rhx4bqalzhye.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/abstract-expressions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abstract Expressions</a></h3> Jun 5, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026Opening: Friday, Jun 5, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Chicago Sculpture International (CSI)• Bucktown “Abstract Expressions” explores the raw, unfiltered language of gesture, color, and movement—where emotion takes form beyond representation and meaning emerges through instinct rather than depiction. Influenced by the bold innovations of artists such as Willem de Kooning, whose restless surfaces redefined the boundaries of abstraction, the pieces in this exhibition embrace tension, rhythm, and spontaneity. In these artworks, control and chaos coexist, echoing the human condition in all its vulnerability and force.&nbsp;Abstract Expressions is not about what is seen, but what is felt—an immersive encounter with the energy of creation itself, emotion made visible. Exhibiting Artists: Nikki Anderson, Pinar Aral, Tomas Co, Darlys Ewoldt, Ted Sitting Crow Garner, Shelley Gilchrist, Peter Gray, Carol Hammerman, Kasia Kay, Victoria Kowalczyk, Laurie LeBreton, Patrick Miceli, Scott Mossman, Rebecca Russow, Marvin Shafer, Yvette Kaiser Smith, Pat Stephens, Rich Stewart, Michele Thrane <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680372/gfejdedvsanog8g3gamq.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/closing-recpetion-for-not-normal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Closing Reception for Not Normal</a></h3> Closing reception: Friday, Jun 5, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Forum 301• River North The theme for this exhibition is open ended in scope and allows for many possibilities. Many kinds of art may&nbsp;fit into this broad category. "Not normal"&nbsp;refers to anything that goes against established norms, represents an unexpected change, or deviates from accepted collective reality. For the purposes of the exhibition, depictions of ‘not normal’ are those that depart from standard norms. For example, Dada and Surrealism depict fantastical, odd, or distorted realities that differ from our collective everyday experience. Featured Artists: Jonathan Antos • Ruby Barnes • Sharon Bladholm • Donna Bliss • Margie Criner • Gary Cudworth • Jason Ferguson • Gertah • Bert Gilbert • Jill King • John Kurman • Erin LaRocque • Gina Lee Robbins • Micki LeMieux • Seanice Lenay • Ellen Lustig • Russ Marr • Bobbi Meier • Jerry Monteith • Scott Mossman • Thomas Plum • Howard Russo • Dominic Sansone • Samuel Schwindt • Simone Scigousky • Marvin Shafer • Eleanor Spiess-Ferris • Rich Stewart • Yi Sun • Sishi Wang • Bruce Webber • Connor Young Juried and curated by Victoria Fuller and Spencer Gale.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680373/lhrjavi1yglctxho0vsx.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/75th-annual-kalamazoo-institute-of-arts-fair" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">75th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair</a></h3> Jun 5, 2026 - Jun 6, 2026 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts• Kalamazoo, MI The KIA Arts Fair Returns for Milestone 75th Year! The event will take place on June 5 &amp; 6, 2026, with timings on Friday from 3–8pm and on Saturday from 9am–5pm. The KIA Arts Fair in Bronson Park will feature nearly 150 fine artists in 12 distinct mediums presenting their unique works of fine art to collect, wear, and use. Throughout Friday and Saturday, attendees can enjoy strolling, shopping, live music, kids’ activities, food truck cuisine, artist demonstrations led by the Kirk Newman Art School, and free gallery admissions at the KIA. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780680373/qmdfsm9fcz3na8huqgf2.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/grand-opening-reception" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Grand Opening Reception</a></h3> Friday, Jun 5, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM JK Art House• Milwaukee, WI The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of JK Art House’s new space&nbsp;at 191 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. The evening will serve as the opening reception for&nbsp;The Studio: A Family Dialogue in Paint, featuring Dan McCaw, John McCaw, and Danny McCaw. Guests are invited to meet the artists, explore the new space, and experience a first look at what JK Art House has in store.&nbsp;

New Exhibitions and Events: June 5

<h3>On Saturday this weekend we have a mix of exhibition openings and closings: in Hermosa and nearby in Logan Square. We also have a benefit gala for the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, and a dual artist exhibition in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.</h3><h3> </h3><h3>View the full calendar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);" target="_blank">here</a>.</h3><h3> </h3><h3>–&nbsp;CGN</h3><h3> </h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429997/dx0prcwr3r6adnashpjg.jpg"><h3> </h3><h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/the-museum-of-i-love-you-so-much-3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Museum of I Love You So Much #3</a></h3> May 30, 2026 - Jul 12, 2026Opening: Saturday, May 30, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMSAWHORSE• Hermosa Sawhorse is thrilled to present the third iteration of&nbsp;The Museum of I Love You So Much, a curatorial project organized by Los Angeles-based artist and writer Hannah Tishkoff. Exhibiting artists include Deen Babakhyi, Megan Lee, Jenna Beasley, Flannery McDonnell, Jerry Bleem, Tatiana Sky, Cookie Bunk, Amy Stober, Julia Yerger, and Jack Kearney <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429998/wok6jdtulq8b47crviwp.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/closing-reception-girl-talk-by-lindsey-kircher" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Closing Reception: Girl Talk by Lindsey Kircher</a></h3> Saturday, May 30, 2026 1:00 PM – 3:00 PMOliva Gallery• Logan Square Join Oliva Gallery for the closing reception of&nbsp;Girl Talk, a solo exhibition by Chicago-based artist Lindsey Kircher, presenting recent figurative paintings that stage psychologically charged scenes through dense composition, saturated color, and symbolic imagery, where figures, animals, and objects converge in layered interiors that move between intimacy and performance; the reception takes place Saturday, May 30 from 1–3 PM and offers a final opportunity to experience the work and meet the artist. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429999/khveffeeevwqmhac7m3z.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/uima-annual-benefit-gala" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UIMA Annual Benefit Gala</a></h3> Saturday, May 30, 2026 6:30 PM – 9:00 PMUkrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA)• Ukrainian Village The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art marks its 55th anniversary&nbsp;with deep pride and gratitude. What began as a humble gallery has grown into a powerful cultural voice, recognized across the United States and around the world. For over five decades, UIMA has stood as a beacon—protecting, nurturing, and sharing the soul of Ukrainian artistic expression, and carrying forward a legacy that refuses to be silenced.We are honored to announce that UIMA’s annual benefit&nbsp;gala will take place on May 30th. This year’s theme,&nbsp;“The Enduring Legacy of Ukrainian Art: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,”&nbsp;carries profound meaning in this moment of history. As Ukraine’s culture is being deliberately targeted and threatened, our responsibility to preserve it, to uplift it, and to ensure it lives on becomes ever more urgent. Because culture is not only memory—it is identity, resilience, and the heartbeat of a nation. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780430000/rd7wkfobwvhcxhfa1twj.jpg"><h3> </h3><h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/guadalupe-maravilla-with-emery-blagdon-the-star-exploding-in-the-body" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guadalupe Maravilla with Emery Blagdon: The star exploding in the body</a></h3> May 30, 2026 - Dec 6, 2026The Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center• Sheboygan, WI At the Art Preserve: May 5, 2026–January 10, 2027At the Arts Center: May 30, 2026–December 6, 2026 This exhibition will bring together for the first time the work of two artists who have both dedicated their lives, through their multifaceted artistic processes, to healing. After a life of rambling,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jmkac.org/artist/blagdon-emery/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(38, 62, 148);" target="_blank">Emery Blagdon</a>&nbsp;(1907–1986) settled on his family’s homestead in Garfield Table, Nebraska. Many members of his family had been afflicted with cancer. Convinced of the healing potential of the unseen forces of the earth, Blagdon spent forty years constructing “The Healing Machine.” Using largely tin foil, masking tape, Christmas decorations, and wire, Blagdon sought to harness magnetism, electricity, and other energies to surround visitors with positive forces. JMKAC has owned “The Healing Machine” since 2004. Guadalupe Maravilla migrated to the United States from El Salvador, unaccompanied, at age eight. At thirty-six, he was diagnosed with cancer, which he links to inherited trauma. During treatment, Maravilla connected with Indigenous healing practices, including sound baths—ceremonies that harness sonic vibrations from gongs, conch shells, and other instruments to restore calm and balance and release toxins in the body. He began making sculptures, paintings, performances, and large-scale installations that incorporate found objects related to his own migration story and various gongs and bowls, which he activates to conduct sound ceremonies. Blurring art, science, and medicine, he calls these activations “healing machines.” At the&nbsp;Arts Center, central to the exhibition is Maravilla’s Mariposa Relámpago, a school bus that has been reimagined as a healing temple. Throughout the exhibition, the healing machines will be activated by Maravilla and various other healers, playing the sculptures to turn on and amplify the energy in the gallery—transforming the space into an immersive healing environment.

New Exhibitions and Events: May 30

<h3>This weekend we have a series of parties and new exhibitions happening throughout the city: CAC celebrates new residents in West Town, 65Grand opens a new exhibition in and Humboldt Park, Chicago Grand Gallery and ARC Gallery each host closing receptions, talks and performances, Jackson Junge kicks off PRIDE month, and in suburban Elmhurst the Elmhurst Art Museum opens two shows by Jeanette Andrews and Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford. MoCP also opens a new photography show.</h3><h3> </h3><h3>View the full calendar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);" target="_blank">here</a>.</h3><h3> </h3><h3>–&nbsp;CGN</h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780430014/ls82w8gtyxi3tjezmxxs.png"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/warehouse-welcome-party" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Warehouse Welcome Party</a></h3> Friday, May 29, 2026 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM$15 per person. CAC residents and alumni are free, but must <a href="https://www.chicagoartistscoalition.org/cac_events/warehouse-welcome-party-2026/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);" target="_blank">register</a>.Chicago Artists Coalition (CAC)• West Town Join the Chicago Artists Coalition community and welcome the newest cohort of residents! Each year CAC welcomes the incoming resident cohort of artists and curators with a party filled with alumni and guests. This year will be in CAC's warehouse and feature a special video performance at 6p by resident Maryam Faridani.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780430014/m4seev0ebz0t4vzetzda.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/japeth-mennes-i-will-always-love-ewe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Japeth Mennes: I will always love ewe</a></h3> May 29, 2026 - Jul 11, 2026Opening: Friday, May 29, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/65grand" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">65GRAND</a>• Humboldt Park <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780430015/mfrnv8lyxbjxbev4e24m.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/pride-group-exhibition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PRIDE! Group Exhibition</a></h3> May 29, 2026 - Jul 5, 2026Opening: Friday, May 29, 2026 6:00 PM – 10:00 PMJackson Junge Gallery• Wicker Park / Bucktown Jackson Junge Gallery’s newest group exhibition featuring artists from the LGBTQ+ community.&nbsp;Giving queer and non-binary creators a platform to share their experiences through art, the gallery hopes to foster an inclusive space for marginalized voices.&nbsp;Explore your own identity and challenge traditional notions of gender and sexuality with PRIDE! <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780430016/w4q0ffqfsp2pnyphtuxb.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/prix-pictet-storm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Prix Pictet Storm</a></h2> May 29, 2026 - Aug 15, 2026Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP)• South Loop The Prix Pictet is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading photography awards. Founded in 2008 by the Pictet Group, it seeks to harness the power of photography to draw global attention to critical sustainability issues. To date, the award has completed eleven cycles, each organized around a theme that highlights a distinct facet of sustainability.&nbsp;Storm&nbsp;is the theme of the eleventh cycle. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780430016/fhfnvgfkbaizkhbygtyt.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/exhibition-closing-artist-talk-with-miya-hannan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exhibition Closing &amp; Artist Talk with Miya Hannan</a></h2> Friday, May 29, 2026 4:00 PM – 6:00 PMARC Gallery• West Town Join Athena Fund-awarded artist Miya Hannan for an artist talk at the closing of her exhibition, Resonance, which presents a series of soot drawings and sculptures that explore the presence of human life embedded within the landscape. Using soot—a fluid, fragile residue of combustion—Hannan's work evokes traces of bodies and histories that have disappeared yet continue to linger. Sanded chairs, with portions of their structure removed and reduced to skeletal forms, represent the erosion and absence of physical presence. The instability of these materials reflects the transformation of human existence, as physical forms shift into memories and stories carried by others. Together, the works create an environment that invites slow looking and quiet reflection.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780430017/dvgunxzxyzwnamx2vika.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/closing-night-celebration-for-without-permission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Closing Night Celebration for Without Permission</a></h3> Friday, May 29, 2026 6:00 PM – 10:00 PMOpening: Friday, May 29, 2026 6:00 PM – 10:00 PMChicago Grand Gallery•Ukrainian Village The evening will include a special live performance by legendary actor&nbsp;Charles Pike, who will present David Hauptschein’s deranged and hilarious&nbsp;There’s a Worm in My Toilet&nbsp;— a true story. Special guest&nbsp;Max Fitzpatrick&nbsp;will open the night with a reading of his own short story. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780430018/en1xqlymsffkomhyx1yt.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/opening-reception-of-summer-exhibitions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opening Reception of Summer Exhibitions</a></h3> Friday, May 29, 20266:00 pm - Early access for Museum Members and exhibition VIPs7:00 pm - Ticketed Entry for non-members7:30 pm - Performance by Jeanette Andrews. - One night only!Elmhurst Art Museum• Elmhurst, IL Join EAM to celebrate the opening of our Summer Exhibitions!&nbsp;On Wonder, Mind, &amp; Magic: Jeanette Andrews; Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford: Near Eternity. Meet the artists, mingle with friends, and enjoy light refreshments. The reception will include a brief “Small Acts of Magic” performance by Jeanette Andrews exploring along with the audience the nature of perception and her research-based practice.

New Exhibitions and Events: May 29

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429952/gnywxixkaoein5jg6dmy.jpg">Randolph Street Market By CGN Staff Chicago’s summer art fair season is about to begin, bringing weekends filled with artists, vintage finds, live music, and neighborhood traditions across the city. The fairs of summer are distinct from international gatherings like EXPO Chicago, as many are focused on local artists selling approachable art and crafts, and casual attendees can enjoy family friendly activities, food trucks and music. The season unofficially kicks off Memorial Day weekend with the return of the <a href="https://randolphstreetmarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Randolph Street Market</a> in the West Loop. Founded in 2003 by entrepreneur Sally Schwartz, the market helped pioneer Chicago’s large-scale vintage and antique market scene and has since become a destination for designers, collectors, and treasure hunters from across the Midwest. The popular “Garden Party” market, May 23–24, brings together hundreds of vendors offering antiques, vintage fashion, art, jewelry, home décor, and global goods, all with a distinctly European flea market atmosphere. An additional market takes place July 25th and 26th. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429952/bet00opnleubcbn0ki5k.jpg">57th Street Art Fair Hyde Park hosts the <a href="https://www.57thstreetartfair.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">57th Street Art Fair</a> on June 6–7. Established in 1948 by a group of Hyde Park artists and neighborhood residents, the fair is widely recognized as the oldest juried art fair in the Midwest and one of the oldest continuously running art fairs in the country. Now in its 79th year, the event features nearly 200 artists alongside live music, food vendors, and family programming. Its relaxed neighborhood setting and longstanding commitment to supporting independent artists continue to make it a favorite destination for collectors. You can also listen to some of Chicago's best Blues music at the Buddy Guy's Legends Stage. Several lakefront festivals produced by <a href="https://amdurproductions.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amdur Productions</a> are also planned for June and July. The Gold Coast Art Fair returns to Grant Park June 20–21, showcasing artists from around the country in one of the city’s most high-profile outdoor settings. In July the Millennium Art Festival transforms Michigan Avenue into an open-air gallery featuring paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography, and live entertainment. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429953/txjdkdwbyjy7soixzlpf.png">Old Town Art Fair The second weekend of June is especially busy with both the <a href="https://www.oldtownartfair.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Old Town Art Fair</a> and the Wells Street Art Festival drawing thousands of visitors to Old Town. The Old Town Art Fair is particularly known for its lineup of juried artists, charming garden walk through the neighborhood’s historic homes, and lively social atmosphere that blends serious collecting with a summer street festival feel. Nearby, the Wells Street Art Festival adds live music, food, and a more casual party atmosphere stretching along Wells Street. While the traffic can be a headache, the art + party mix is popular year after year. At these markets and fairs, visitors can find affordable art made by artists working today. Each event offers an opportunity to engage with creativity and to support individual artists. Throughout the summer, art fairs and neighborhood festivals continue nearly every weekend across Chicago and the suburbs, offering collectors and casual visitors countless opportunities to discover emerging artists and enjoy the city’s vibrant outdoor arts scene. For a full list of summer fairs, gallery events, and exhibitions, visit <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CGN’s calendar of events</a>.

Looking Forward to Summer Art Fair Season

<h3>This weekend we have a series of new exhibitions opening throughout the city: in River North, Bridgeport, Edgewater, Old Irving, Humboldt Park, Michigan Ave. and Waukegan. We also have a film screening, a benefit gala in Evanston, and a cross-gallery tour and talk in two spaces in West Town. </h3><h3> </h3><h3>View the full calendar <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);" target="_blank">here</a>.</h3><h3> </h3><h3>–&nbsp;CGN</h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429904/to8uf5tefv08ypqpnuob.jpg"><h3> </h3><h3>Joseph Raffael: Moving Toward the Light – A Retrospective</h3> May 14, 2026 - Jul 10, 2026Opening: Thursday, May 14, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/joseph-raffael-moving-toward-the-light" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rosenthal Fine Art, Inc.</a>• RIVER NORTH <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429905/bfkfdfc6m5lhyhxdpymv.jpg"><h3> </h3><h3>Art Shay: An America So Real - 1st Sneak Peek of the Movie</h3> Thursday, May 14, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/art-shay-an-america-so-real-1st-sneak-peek-of-the-movie" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gallery Victor&nbsp;</a>• RIVER NORTH <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429906/yteznaj03pj7hgfty9wl.png"><h3>14th Annual Juried Art Competition</h3> May 15, 2026 - Jun 26, 2026Opening: Friday, May 15, 2026 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/14th-annual-juried-art-competition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bridgeport Art Center</a>• BRIDGEPORT <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429907/ip3bzsel7e3zlzmhda4c.png"><h3> </h3><h3>What We Saved: Femmage Revisited</h3> May 15, 2026 - Jul 18, 2026Opening: Friday, May 15, 2026 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/gallery-of-contemporary-mosaics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gallery of Contemporary Mosaics</a>• EDGEWATER <h1> </h1><h1><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429908/sfxq1fm0k2jlcrqbix1a.jpg"></h1><h3>Jenal Dolson: Interrobang</h3> May 15, 2026 - Sep 26, 2026Opening: Friday, May 15, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/jenal-dolson-interrobang" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">65GRAND</a>• HUMBOLDT PARK <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429909/qiql7mp1a5di2yk34ewt.jpg"> <h3>Ink &amp; Outrage: 18th Century Satirical Prints in London &amp; Dublin</h3> May 15, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026 <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/ink-outrage-18th-century-satirical-prints-in-london-dublin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Driehaus Museum</a>• MICHIGAN AVE. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429909/vtcyxbgyfcwcdvdyij9d.jpg"> <h3>Feel Free</h3> May 15, 2026 - Jun 27, 2026Opening: Friday, May 15, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/feel-free" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joy Machine</a>• OLD IRVING <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429911/vgxi0xzv5bg4lfz5npxg.png"> <h3>Cross-Gallery Walkthrough with GRAY and moniquemeloche</h3> Saturday, May 16, 2026 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/cross-gallery-walkthrough-with-moniquemeloche" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GRAY</a> and <a href="https://www.moniquemeloche.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">moniquemeloche</a>• WEST TOWN <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429912/ofy4snxrmgrawxbggoh3.jpg"><h3> </h3><h3>Conflict of Interests</h3> May 16, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026Opening: Saturday, May 16, 2026 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/conflict-of-interests" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ShadowBoxX Gallery</a>• WAUKEGAN, IL <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429913/weigvuyyfxhdpegcrr1s.jpg"> <h3>Evanston Art Center’s The Art Party 2026</h3> Saturday, May 16, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/evanston-art-centers-the-art-party-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Evanston Art Center</a>• EVANSTON, IL

New Exhibitions and Events: May 14–16

<h3> </h3><h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429813/dbvjpojunni0bfoj0hlm.jpg"></h3><h3> </h3><h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/gelsy-verna-mother-father-please-help-me" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gelsy Verna: Mother, Father, Please Help Me</a></h3> May 7, 2026 - Sep 27, 2026Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA)• Madison, WI <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429814/hmbu4lbqpcqlc5alicfe.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/art-theory-and-practice-26" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">We can make any two stories touch: 2026 Art Theory and Practice MFA Thesis Exhibition</a></h3>May 8, 2026 - Jun 14, 2026Opening: Thursday, May 7, 2026 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMBlock Museum of Art• Evanston, IL <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429816/x29jycnpjl1t1gijsdpf.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/senior-capstone-exhibition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senior Capstone Exhibition</a></h3>May 7, 2026 - May 17, 2026Opening: Thursday, May 7, 2026 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMWadsworth Family Gallery at Lewis University• Romeoville, IL <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429816/y6zf2m2ac8a64nrt1njh.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/spring-benefit-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Steppenwolf 50: Through the Eye of Sandro Miller</a></h3>May 8, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026Opening: Friday, May 15, 2026 5:30 PM – 8:00 PMThe Art Center Highland Park• Highland Park, IL <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429818/ltnwfdy6zfprmpzt2r8j.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/vanessa-filley-flying-kites-in-a-windless-world" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vanessa Filley: Flying Kites in a Windless World</a></h3>May 9, 2026 - Jul 11, 2026Opening: Saturday, May 9, 2026 1:00 PM – 3:00 PMOS Projects• Racine, WI<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429819/c9ztrbgzddj1rbhgjcmk.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/wallace-bowling-artist-talk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wallace Bowling Artist Talk</a></h3>Saturday, May 9, 2026 2:00 PM – 4:00 PMBert Green Fine Art• Loop/Michigan Ave. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429820/wvllj2zmvocdnxxxsmix.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/mother-earth-market" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mother Earth Market</a></h3>May 9, 2026 - May 10, 2026Brushwood Center• Riverwoods, IL <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429820/pgp5glcln6jxbq5gdpqb.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/family-day-let-loose" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Family Day | Let Loose</a></h3>Saturday, May 9, 2026 11:00 AM – 3:00 PMMuseum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA)• Streeterville <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429821/fgkyehsrhisucttlzhfz.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/artist-talk-for-pieces-too-short-to-save-a-survey-of-contemporary-collage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Artist Talk for Pieces Too Short To Save: A Survey of Contemporary Collage</a></h3>Saturday, May 9, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PMOpening: Saturday, May 9, 2026 12:00 PM – 12:00 PMSoNa Chicago Contemporary Art• West Town/Wicker Park # <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VIEW FULL CGN CALENDAR HERE</a></h3>

New Exhibitions and Events: May 7–11

<h1><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429692/uhgljhxknpm7hfwunyff.jpg"></h1> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/she-is-sitting-on-her-own-shadow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Manuela García: She is sitting on her own shadow</a></h2>May 2, 2026 - Jun 5, 2026Opening: Saturday, May 2, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:30 PMPATRON• West Town <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429693/jzwgjmd7s5ythi7kybpj.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/garden-of-prayer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nour Malas: Garden of Prayer</a></h2>May 2, 2026 - Jun 5, 2026Opening: Saturday, May 2, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:30 PMPATRON• West Town <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429693/fzddqlclcswbp8pgbt6r.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/palomar-part-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Palomar (Part 1)</a></h2>May 2, 2026 - Jun 7, 2026Opening: Saturday, May 2, 2026 4:00 PM – 7:00 PMThe Renaissance Society• Hyde Park <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429695/e41rbkzpkvk113qdnhgg.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/horizons-the-waterscapes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Horizons: the Waterscapes</a></h2>May 2, 2026 - May 24, 2026Opening: Saturday, May 2, 2026 2:00 PM – 5:00 PMThe Grove Gallery• Evanston <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429696/djz8huoa3kjaoot6kaln.png"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/chihuly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CHIHULY</a></h2>May 2, 2026 - Nov 1, 2026Frederik Meijer Gardens &amp; Sculpture Park• Grand Rapids, MI # <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VIEW FULL CGN CALENDAR</a>

New Exhibitions Open May 2

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429659/p32yar7jwoobhwjeah84.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/between-voice-and-silence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Between Voice and Silence</a></h2>May 1, 2026 - May 30, 2026Opening: Friday, May 1, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMUkrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA)•&nbsp;West Town/Ukrainian Village <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429660/hm3yx8zydjic2zlgrwll.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/joan-holleb-woodland-tales" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joan Holleb: Woodland Tales</a></h2>May 1, 2026 - Jul 1, 2026Opening: Friday, May 1, 2026 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMAddington Gallery•&nbsp;River North <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429661/bgvrmbjwwdfq11fx02ei.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/golden-vision-zollalieberman-gallery-celebrates-50-years" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Golden Vision: Zolla/Lieberman Gallery Celebrates 50 Years</a></h2>May 1, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026Opening: Friday, May 1, 2026 3:00 PM – 7:00 PMZolla / Lieberman Gallery•&nbsp;River North <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429661/axzzwxgzykkjchfpfr5r.png"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/athena-2026-solo-shows" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ATHENA 2026 Solo Shows</a></h2>Apr 26, 2026 - May 30, 2026Opening: Friday, May 1, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMARC Gallery•&nbsp;West Town <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429662/fqykbq34joj7vfzqhbio.png"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/homeward-unbound" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homeward (un)bound</a></h2>May 1, 2026 - Jun 18, 2026Opening: Friday, May 1, 2026 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMChicago Artists Coalition (CAC)• West Town <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429663/zlugdcdcttawrhgceogb.jpg"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/without-permission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">﻿Without Permission</a></h2>May 1, 2026 - May 29, 2026Opening: Friday, May 1, 2026 6:00 PM – 10:00 PMChicago Grand Gallery• Humboldt Park <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429663/fnnac7tuot2uo6hspfel.png"> <h2><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/erin-kaya-atmospheric-geometry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Erin Kaya: Atmospheric Geometry</a></h2>May 1, 2026 - May 28, 2026Opening: Friday, May 1, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMVivid Art Gallery• Winnetka # <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VIEW FULL CGN CALENDAR</a>

New Exhibitions Open May 1

<h3><a href="https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/fine-art/warhol-is-out-gulfstreams-are-in-the-superrich-are-souring-on-art-58f231e6?st=J5sYw8&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Warhol Is Out, Gulfstreams Are In: The Superrich Are Souring on Art</a></h3><h3> </h3>Something unusual is happening in the art market. Sales are stagnant while other businesses that cater to the superrich, like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/wheels-up-wants-high-end-travelers-to-see-flying-private-as-not-so-far-out-of-reach-5ee39031?page=1&amp;mod=article_inline" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);" target="_blank">private jet</a>&nbsp;companies, are booming.The wealthy might simply be putting their cash into other assets because paintings turned out to be a disappointing investment. Weak sales could also be a sign that the art world has become too reliant on baby boomer collectors who are past their peak buying years. Via WSJ <h3>$102 Million Verdict Over Robert Indiana Artwork May End Years-Long Legal Battle</h3> Over $102 million in damages has been awarded to&nbsp;Robert Indiana‘s former business partner in a verdict that may end a protracted legal battle over the rights to some of the late Pop artist’s best-known works. The partner,&nbsp;Morgan Art Foundation, won its lawsuit against art publisher&nbsp;Michael McKenzie&nbsp;on April 23, when a jury in Manhattan federal court found him guilty of making and selling unauthorized Indiana artworks for millions of dollars. McKenzie and&nbsp;Jamie Thomas, the caretaker to whom Indiana gave power of attorney over his estate, have both also been accused by Morgan of&nbsp;<a href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/robert-indiana-lawsuit-claims-squalor-1627561" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(31, 31, 31);" target="_blank">taking advantage</a>&nbsp;of the elderly artist in his final years. The latest verdict follows a knotty legal saga centering around accusations of exploitation, fraud, and copyright infringement that commenced just one day before&nbsp;<a href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/pop-art-hero-robert-indiana-dies-at-89-1289993" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(31, 31, 31);" target="_blank">Indiana’s death</a>&nbsp;on May 19, 2018. Via Artnet <h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429642/oz3chksriqoeq0tnwk7n.jpg"></h3>$30,000 in cuts – Chicago Architecture Center. NEA funding was cut for the popular Open House program <h3><a href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/forum/ccb-forum-chicago-arts-funding-cuts-20260427/?utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletter-editorial-promo-20260427" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" target="_blank">How Chicago arts and culture orgs plan to stay strong despite federal cuts</a></h3> Months before last September’s Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Kate Dumbleton learned that a $30,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts had been canceled.Dumbleton, the festival’s artistic and executive director, scrambled to raise the funds needed to cover artist fees. But the ordeal left her skeptical as to whether government funding could be a reliable source in the future. “The bigger question is whether the NEA is going to be there for arts organizations,” she says. Via Crain's Chicago

What We're Reading: April 28, 2026

<h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429512/tqov7dc1uevs1q8kdccx.jpg"></h3><h3> </h3><h3>Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas –</h3><h3>SMART MUSEUM OF ART</h3> Alma Thomas (1891–1978) is a singular figure of twentieth-century American art. She developed her form of abstraction – characterized by the dazzling interplay of pattern and hue – late in life, after retiring from a long career as a schoolteacher. Her vibrant and rhythmic art transcended established genres, incorporating elements of gestural abstraction and color field painting and creating a style distinctly her own. Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas draws on the extensive holdings of the artist’s paintings at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and offers an intimate view of Thomas’s evolving practice during her most prolific period, from 1959 to 1978. At a deeply politicized moment in American life, Thomas’s abiding sources of inspiration became the cosmos, nature, and music. As she stated, “Through color I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness, rather than on man’s inhumanity to man.”&nbsp; Thru July 5, 2026&nbsp;5550 S. Greenwood (60637)&nbsp;<a href="https://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">smartmuseum.uchicago.edu</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429513/xafvd94pugqrawvqcahc.jpg">The Murphy Auditorium at the Driehaus Museum <h3>Brendan Fernandes: In The Round –&nbsp;</h3><h3>The Driehaus Museum</h3> Brendan Fernandes: In the Round&nbsp; is the Driehaus Museum’s next iteration of its A Tale of Today series that places contemporary art in dialogue with the art, architecture, and design of the Gilded-Age Museum. Fernandes, the Museum’s first artist-in-residence, will transform the 1926 Murphy Auditorium into a dynamic site for sculptural installation, movement, sound, and dance. Conceived as an evolving, episodic residency, In the Round will unfold throughout 2026 with performances and public programs and is organized by guest curator Stephanie Cristello. “In the Round,” says Cristello, “invites us to experience contemporary art and dance as a shared architectural and social space—one shaped by bodies moving together through history. Reactivating the radical spirit of the Judson Dance Theater within the Murphy Auditorium, Brendan Fernandes asks us to see history itself as something lived, collective, and continually re-made.” 50 E. Erie&nbsp;Apr 9–Nov 14, 2026<a href="https://driehausmuseum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">driehausmuseum.org</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429513/txrf19jb80e8evod295v.jpg">Sarah and Joseph Belknap, 4 Months of the Sun, 2014 <h3>Palomar (Part 1) –</h3><h3>The Renaissance Society</h3> The sun was formed 4.6 billion years ago. It takes 8 minutes and 20 seconds for its light to travel to Earth. The calendar as we know it, based on cycles of the solar year, was first implemented four and a half centuries ago in 1582...Time used to be local, based on the sun’s position. That changed on “The Day of Two Noons,” in 1883, when U.S. railroads adopted standardized time zones....Palomar Observatory, on a California mountain, once had the largest optical telescope in the world...Italo Calvino wrote a book about a person, a seeker of the cosmic in the everyday, who shares his name with that place...Palomar is a group exhibition in two parts. Curated by Karsten Lund. May 2–Jun 7 • 5811 S. Ellis Ave. (60637)<a href="https://renaissancesociety.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">renaissancesociety.org</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429514/difmfbf9pjzouw0zrz7n.jpg">Denzil Forrester (b. 1956, Grenada; lives in Cornwall, United Kingdom), Duppy Deh, 2018. Oil on linen; 79 1/8 × 120 1/8 in. (201 × 305 cm). Collection of Margot and George Greig. © Denzil Forrester. Courtesy of the artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London and New York. Photo: Stephen White &amp; Co. <h3>Dancing The Revolution–&nbsp;</h3><h3>Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA)</h3> Dancing the Revolution explores and expands the visual, political and spiritual histories of dancehall and reggaetón through contemporary art—two dynamic genres that have transcended their grassroots origins to shape global culture. From Kingston to San Juan through London, Toronto, New York City and Panama, Dancing the Revolution positions music and dance as a revolutionary practice for collective liberation rooted in the struggle against colonial oppression. Dancehall and reggaetón are reminders of the Caribbean’s centuries-old traditions of dance and music as means of liberation and protest rooted in Black Atlantic history and culture. Dancing the Revolution showcases pivotal moments and themes from these histories, starting with the sound system—a mobile disco that embodies both a community experience and a vital civic institution.&nbsp; The exhibition features more than 35 artists, including Isaac Julien, Jean Michel Basquiat, Edra Soto, Alberta Whittle, Carolina Caycedo, supakid and Lee “Scratch” Perry. A special commissioned mixtape project invites visitors to learn about the evolution of these popular genres in Panama and hear iconic songs that paved the way for the global phenomenon of reggaetón.. Apr 14–Sept 20220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago<a href="https://mcachicago.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mcachicago.org</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429514/b0ene2bpr5tjgsvw5k9q.jpg"> <h3>CHIHULY–&nbsp;</h3><h3>Frederik Meijer Gardens &amp; Sculpture Park</h3> One of only two Chihuly exhibitions in the world in 2026, this exhibition spans both the outdoor gardens and indoor Sculpture Galleries, creating a dynamic dialogue between glass, landscape, and architecture. Outdoors, guests will encounter monumental glass sculptures, vibrant Reeds, and striking site-responsive installations that appear to grow from the landscape, amplifying color, light, and form. Indoors, the separately ticketed exhibition Chihuly: Radiant Forms traces more than 40 years of Chihuly’s creative journey.&nbsp; May 2–Nov 1Grand Rapids, MI<a href="https://www.meijergardens.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">meijergardens.org</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429515/azdtqcguqegbvxdieyu4.jpg"> <h3>Randolph Street Market Festival–&nbsp;</h3> Touted as a “mecca of cool,” the iconic Randolph Street Market&nbsp;Festival returns to the bustling West Loop, where the world-famous&nbsp;event first began at 1341 W. Randolph, over Memorial Day weekend . The premier destination for one–of–a–kind finds, the Randolph Street Market Festival offers an ultra-curated, high-quality selection of antiques, vintage and modern goods ranging from fashion to art, jewelry, décor, retro home furnishings, global goods and more. Treasure hunters&nbsp;and entertainment-seekers alike will be delighted by the continuous lineup of live musical acts, unique food vendors, fun cocktails and more to enjoy throughout the weekend. Another summer market takes place in July.&nbsp; May 23 and 24; July 25 and 26<a href="https://randolphstreetmarket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">randolphstreetmarket.com</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429516/ufbeuy5tjidc13mdydnn.jpg"> <h3>Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford:&nbsp;Near Eternity–</h3><h3>Elmhurst Art Museum</h3> In his first exhibition at EAM, artist Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford presents a series of outdoor sculptures in Wilder Park as well as an immersive installation within the iconic McCormick House. Bridging handcrafted techniques and digital fabrication, featured works serve as a low-carbon alternative to traditional monumental sculpture as a way of reflecting on labor, materiality, the internet age, and architectural legacies. Near Immortality features new sculptures created from 3D scans of important design items in EAM’s collection. May 30–Aug 23<a href="https://elmhurstartmuseum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">elmhurstartmuseum.org</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429517/gnvfogw4iajc4rmpeflw.jpg"> <h3>Door County Contemporary –</h3> The Door County Contemporary Art Fair will be held at the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, Wisconsin for the second year. The three-day program introduces art to art enthusiasts in Wisconsin, and it was born from the desire to address a lack of contemporary art in an otherwise culturally enriched and dynamic destination. DCC will host galleries from Wisconsin and beyond while welcoming thousands of art lovers from around the United States. It will also feature a wealth of site-specific art works and projects, plenty of Wisconsin-centric food and drink, and curated events and art-related projects. June 4–7Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek, WI<a href="https://www.doorcountycontemporary.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">doorcountycontemporary.com</a> # <h3>See CGN's full calendar <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?page=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></h3>

This Season’s Highlights: Spring/Summer 2026

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429455/qcysgja2p4qexnm4tqrh.jpg"> By GINNY VAN ALYEA An art experience centered on scent may seem unexpected—but that sense of discovery is part of what makes the Alliance Française de Chicago’s 2026 Symposium on the Arts of France especially compelling. Titled Scent: The Invisible Art, this year’s three-part series considers fragrance as a creative medium—one that operates beyond the visual to shape memory, emotion, and perception. While the opening lecture took place in April, two upcoming programs continue the exploration, offering Chicago audiences an opportunity to engage with art through a more immersive, multisensory lens. The May 13 program, A Journey into the Artistry and Passion of Fragrance, features Linda G. Levy, President of The Fragrance Foundation, who frames scent as a form of artistic expression shaped by the vision of the perfumer. Drawing on the work of influential figures such as master perfumer Carlos Benaïm and fragrance curator Frédéric Malle, Levy explores the idea of “perfumery as art”—from Benaïm’s inspiration in Van Gogh’s Starry Night to Malle’s approach of composing fragrances as one might a work of art, giving perfumers complete creative freedom. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429456/xnzphu5wqsg0kg7qeaio.jpg"> Her talk also traces connections between disciplines, comparing the perfumer’s palette of ingredients to the materials of painters and sculptors, while highlighting collaborations that translate scent into other forms, including graphic design, portraiture, and poetry. The program further touches on synesthesia—the blending of sensory experiences—inviting audiences to consider how fragrance might be perceived as color or emotion. The series concludes on June 10 with Senteurs et Émotions, led by renowned French perfumer Camille Goutal. Both lectures take place from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Alliance Française de Chicago and are presented in English. For more than two decades, the Symposium on the Arts of France has been a cornerstone of the Alliance’s cultural programming, bringing internationally recognized voices to Chicago while highlighting the enduring influence of French art and thought. This year’s focus on scent expands that tradition, offering a fresh perspective on how art can be experienced—and understood. A limited number of complimentary tickets are available for students, reflecting the Alliance’s commitment to accessibility and education. The series is offered in person and available online. More information and tickets are available at <a href="https://www.af-chicago.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">af-chicago.org</a>.

A Three-Part Series on the Art of Scent Comes to Alliance Française de Chicago

<h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429406/o33gqf9dgmehbityz5zc.jpg"></h3>Maurizio Cattelan and Myriam Ben Salah.&nbsp;Matthew Reeves/BFA.com <h3><a href="https://observer.com/2026/04/artist-maurizio-cattelan-renben-2026-renaissance-society-chicago/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maurizio Cattelan Turned This Years RenBen Gala into a Silent Party</a></h3><h3> </h3>What a blessing to have silence not just available but imposed at an art event—to finally be able to focus on the experience of the art without the distraction of social interaction. For a writer like myself, who hopes for exactly that condition every time I visit a show, this year’s Renaissance Society gala in Chicago was simply perfect. “A lot of events mistake noise for energy, and I wanted to undo that confusion,” artist&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/maurizio-cattelan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Maurizio Cattelan</a>, who designed the event, tells me, adding that silence changes how people receive things. “It is not that communication stops altogether; it just becomes less efficient and more exposed. People write, they wait, they look longer.” To him, it felt like a good premise for an art event, though he acknowledged that many artists have engaged with silence far better than he ever could, from&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/john-cage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">John Cage</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/joseph-grigely/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Joseph Grigely</a>. “I was not trying to make a statement so much as interrupt an automatic behavior. A gala usually runs on social reflex, and silence makes that reflex visible.”<h3> </h3>Via Observer <h3><a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/expo-chicago-sales-vip-day-report-1234780810/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dealers Are Doing Brisk Business at a Smaller and ‘More Intentional’ Expo Chicago</a>&nbsp;</h3> Tears of joy are not the first thing you expect to hear about at art fairs, but that was the order of the day for Tennessee artist Annie Brito Hodgin at Thursday’s VIP preview at the thirteenth edition of Expo Chicago (April 9–12), where she is showing her paintings with&nbsp;Red Arrow Gallery. Via ARTnews <h3> </h3><h3><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/arts/design/lacma-peter-zumthor-los-angeles.html?unlocked_article_code=1.a1A.wcg8.MJ0AUVAlSjf9&amp;smid=url-share" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daring and Dazzling, a New LACMA Floats Above Los Angeles</a></h3> Forecasts were dire about what’s officially called the David Geffen Galleries, after the donor who gave $150 million. “The blob that ate Wilshire Boulevard,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/5897-the-blob-that-ate-wilshire-boulevard" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(50, 104, 145);" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;Architectural Record in 2014. “Suicide by architecture,”&nbsp;<a href="https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/lacma-suicide-by-architecture/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(50, 104, 145);" target="_blank">lamented</a>&nbsp;The L.A. Review of Books five years later.The building opens to museum members in the coming weeks and to the general public on May 4. I expect it will be wildly popular. Via NYT <h3><a href="https://www.wbez.org/arts/2026/04/11/black-collectors-guild-expo-chicago-diversity-in-art" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">At Expo Chicago, a crew of collectors bond over Black art</a></h3> For one group of collectors,&nbsp;<a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/arts-and-culture/2026/04/03/expo-chicago-art-fair-obama-center-contemporary-galleries-navy-pier-tickets" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(4, 130, 130);" target="_blank">Expo Chicago</a>&nbsp;is not just an art fair but a family reunion. On Thursday afternoon, they trickled into Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, offering enthusiastic hugs and handshakes. The cohort included everyone from health care professionals to military veterans, who traveled from Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Kansas City, Mo., and other major cities. Before touring the galleries, they gathered in the center of the venue for a champagne toast to “building together.” Via WBEZ

What We're Reading: April 14, 2026

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.&nbsp;We hope to see you there!&nbsp; View CGN's full calendar <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>, updated daily! – CGN Staff <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429335/vma1nrvsb4cgtnadzlmb.png"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/renben-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RenBen 2026</a></h3> This year’s RenBen for the Renaissance Society is a&nbsp;silent dinner party.&nbsp;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&nbsp;any talk at all... April 8, 7–10pm <h3> </h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429336/tqnlmsm6z0iilglxxfbn.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/vernissage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EXPO Vernissage</a></h3> 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.&nbsp; April 9 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429338/aa5gsyq03vs7n3bzve8z.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/life-is-an-art-iam-the-party" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IAM The Party</a></h3> Art: IAM the party&nbsp;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 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429339/exujhcgqbmkdcttgwgf1.jpg">Deborah Koo <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/material-offering-by-deb-koo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VSG Cake Social</a></h3> VSG Contemporary opens an exhibition of Deborah Koo’s tantalizing cake paintings and&nbsp;Mason Pott’s lush works featuring assemblages of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Luckily gallery owner Allan Weinberger is serving cake from 12–5pm.&nbsp;CGN will be there, so stop by to say hi and enjoy some cake! April 11, 12–5pm <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429340/d9ctafshlple9fiolba0.jpg">Lou Beach <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/pieces-too-short-to-save-a-survey-of-contemporary-collage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">An Exhibition Honoring Tony Fitzpatrick</a></h3> 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<h3> </h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429340/cgxhvanzebdiium54dmf.jpg">Western Exhibition's 2026 Barely Fair booth <h3><a href="https://www.barelyfair.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barely Fair</a></h3> 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 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429341/ixlpffx7nj1tcijxeeab.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.neighbors.art/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Neighbors</a></h3> 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

CGN Around Town, Spring 2026

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429300/s11bxmfmmslqmzc2hldd.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/geometries-in-light" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Geometries In Light</a>Exhibition begins April 2Pistachios Contemporary Art Jewelry and Objects <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429301/v6eonukevcb3vhbmji82.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/teaching" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Teaching</a>Opening: Saturday, April 4, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMPerspective Photo Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429301/wnzvk50lskowyjdujar0.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/the-presidents-18th-annual-art-exhibition2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The President’s 18th Annual Art Exhibition</a>Exhibition begins April 2Wadsworth Family Gallery at Lewis University <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429302/y3tl9wy0fiqur9cifqaa.png"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/a-view-from-above" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">David Keel: The View From Here</a>Opening: Friday, April 3, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMVivid Art Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429303/krnq1uyaub3oxmvjqlj4.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/on-rock-soft-matters-curating-slowness-and-reconnection-through-the-visual-arts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">On Rock-Soft Matters: Curating Slowness and Reconnection through the Visual Arts</a>Opening: Saturday, April 4, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMSeldon Institute

New Exhibitions Open April 1 - 4 (Part I)

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429313/m7yspb30cgxbymm4uisk.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/monoprint-one-of-a-kind" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monoprint: One of a Kind</a>Opening: Thursday, April 2, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMChicago Printmakers Collaborative <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429314/wi7j5usdq8gtzodmmxm2.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/girl-talk-by-lindsey-kircher" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Girl Talk by Lindsey Kircher</a>Opening: Friday, April 3, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMOliva Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429315/ogd3op7eldodxymmauun.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/alison-ruttan-the-paradox-of-inaction" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alison Ruttan: The Paradox of Inaction</a>Exhibition begins April 4Hyde Park Art Center <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429315/jyyxaxaxpalf0s08hizk.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/cydney-m-lewis-weeds-grow-in-all-directions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cydney M. Lewis: Weeds Grow in All Directions</a>Exhibition begins April 4Hyde Park Art Center

New Exhibitions Open April 1 - 4 (Part II)

<h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429200/vgtycvduyymgy6qetuwp.jpg"></h3>This Banksy mural of a man&nbsp;scrubbing his back in a bathtub appeared in 2022 on a wall of a destroyed&nbsp;building in the Ukrainian village of Horenka. The mural piqued the interest of a Reuters journalist, setting off an effort&nbsp;to identify and understand the elusive artist. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich<h3> </h3><h3><a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/global-art-banksy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">In Search of Banksy</a></h3> The British street artist’s identity has been debated, and closely guarded, for decades. A quest to solve the riddle took Reuters from a bombed-out Ukrainian village to London and downtown Manhattan — and uncovered much more than a name. Via Reuters <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429201/p1znubb0xe0qy2zvhlv0.jpg">Installation shot of the Sopranos exhibition at the Museum of Moving Image. Photo: Thanassi Karageorgiou/Museum of Moving Image. <h3><a href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/the-sopranos-momi-exhibition-2754605" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Behind the Scenes of ‘The Sopranos’: A New Exhibition Revisits TV’s Favorite Mob Drama</a></h3> A new show at the&nbsp;Museum of Moving Image&nbsp;(MoMI), “<a href="https://movingimage.org/event/stories-and-sets-for-the-sopranos/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(31, 31, 31); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Stories and Set Designs for The Sopranos</a>,” captures the urgent energy channeled by Chase and his team of collaborators as they turned daring pilot into a show that would pave the way for a golden age of television. Via Artnet <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429201/pcuscwpcbcj0wzrezkon.jpg">For the Serpentine Pavilion installation, he balanced a light-filtering fiberglass shell on hulking, rough-hewed stones. Credit...Iwan Baan <h3><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/arts/design/smiljan-radic-pritzker-prize-architecture.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Chilean Master of Modest Design Wins Architecture’s Top Prize</a></h3> Wind. Light. Stone. Timber. Time. These are some of the essential elements that infuse the work of Smiljan Radic of Santiago, Chile, the winner of this year’s Pritzker Prize, architecture’s highest honor. The announcement of the laureate had been delayed by revelations about the connection between Tom Pritzker, the director of the foundation that awards the prize, and Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier. Via NYT

What We're Reading: March 17, 2026

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429156/eositkmv2zfp7quvyr9z.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/duality" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Duality</a>Mar 2 - Apr 19Jackson Junge Gallery ﻿ <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429157/d7mah2ws9dkg9z5cuc9s.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/lens-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LENS 2026</a>Opening: Saturday, March 7, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMPerspective Photo Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429158/oabzitx6f8gsdnfgpm6n.png"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/impromptu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Impromptu</a>Opening: Friday, March 6, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMVivid Art Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429160/iszhtlwpqhcbki8t5d69.png"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/beyond-the-needle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beyond the Needle</a>March 6The Art Center Highland Park <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429160/dpdfomcr3nnflwpqwxib.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/george-klauba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Klauba</a>Opening: Friday, March 6, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PMThe Art Center Highland Park <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429161/e1hjemmcef3b8ya9oavn.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/mmm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MMM....&nbsp;</a>Opening: Friday, March 6, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMOliva Gallery

New Exhibitions Open March 6 - 7 (Part I)

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429170/rixwzjyp0mchpgcilrri.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/the-division-street-riots" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Division Street Riots</a>Opening: Friday, March 6, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM65GRAND <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429171/tplwgplayw3hsxicig7r.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/la-woman" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">L.A. Woman</a>Opening: Saturday, March 7, noon – 4:00 PMUkrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA) <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429172/lfxzuov40bkzkpifso34.png"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/matisses-jazz-rhythms-in-color" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color</a>March 7The Art Institute of Chicago <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429172/fp1nib6zxci9m0hfqh4s.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/women-painting-women" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Women Painting Women</a>Opening: Saturday, March 7, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PMThe Grove Gallery

New Exhibitions Open March 6 - 7 (Part II)

Spring is coming, finally! Even if the weather is cold, it's nice to know we are moving through the calendar towards a new season and new beginnings. Notably in March, we're seeing a lot of tattoos and photography...It makes us miss artist Tony Fitzpatrick. Also coming soon this spring, CGN's Spring/Summer magazine, covering April-August. <a href="https://chicagogallerynews.myshopify.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe now</a> to get a copy by mail and support CGN's work! CGN adds to its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">calendar of art events</a>&nbsp;daily, and there is no shortage of new exhibitions, openings, art fairs, talks and family art events to explore. We have put together a preview of what is coming up the rest of this month. Even though it's winter and we are looking to stay in and cozy, there is plenty to see. Events happen throughout the city as well as in the suburbs and within a day's drive. Highlights are organized by event type. Dates vary and are subject to change. –&nbsp;GinnyCGN Publisher <h2>• Exhibitions</h2> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429138/mtf1r5sevtdzwiyc5mmd.png"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/mmm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MMM....</a></h3> Mar 6, 2026 - Mar 28, 2026Opening: Friday, Mar 6, 2026 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/oliva-gallery" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oliva Gallery</a> Oliva Gallery marks its ten-year anniversary with&nbsp;MMM…., a group exhibition presented in conjunction with International Women’s Day. The exhibition opens March 6, 2026, and features work by Melanie P. Brown, Mia Capodilupo, and Michelle Stone. The title references both the shared first initials of the participating artists and the visual and sensory richness of their work. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429138/g6xfz9bpkj7jmp9lygnu.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/george-klauba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">George Klauba</a></h3> Mar 6, 2026 - Apr 4, 2026Opening: Friday, Mar 6, 2026 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/the-art-center-highland-park" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Art Center Highland Park</a> The Art Center Highland Park is proud to announce its forthcoming exhibition KLAUBA, a survey of the works of painter and tattoo artist George Klauba. This show will be on view at The Art Center from March 6 to April 4, 2026.Curated by gallerist Teresa Hofheimer, this large exhibition of paintings and sculpture spans over two decades, referencing George Klauba’s life works as a Navy officer, a tattoo artist, and eventually a celebrated painter and fine artist. Running concurrently at TACHP is <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/beyond-the-needle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beyond the Needle</a>, an exhibition featuring ten tattoo artists from across the United States. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429139/e2241zdcih8skyfle4rf.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/the-division-street-riots" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Division Street Riots</a></h3> Mar 6, 2026 - Apr 12, 2026Opening: Friday, Mar 6, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/65grand" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">65GRAND</a> This exhibition by Chicago-based artist Carlos Rolón features new graphite and charcoal drawings, works on aluminum, a DIY bicycle sculpture with audio, and a hand-embroidered textile inspired by the 1966 Division Street uprising in Humboldt Park and West Town. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429140/unmzwmawgfply3a2pfr9.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/lens-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LENS 2026</a></h3> Mar 7, 2026 - Mar 29, 2026Opening: Saturday, Mar 7, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/perspective-photo-gallery" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Perspective Photo Gallery</a> Photographic artists from around the U.S. will be on display for LENS2026, the gallery’s 16th annual juried international exhibition of fine art photography. The show opens Thursday, March 5th, with an Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on March 7th from 5 to 7 p.m.Juror Ann M. Jastrab, the Executive Director at the Center for Photographic Art (CPA) in Carmel, California, selected 28 artists from the 299 photographers who submitted over 1430 images.&nbsp;This year there were entries from 38 states and several international countries.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429141/qacgtkc4eotm6y76muhi.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/vertical-gallerys-13-year-anniversary-show" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vertical Gallery's 13-Year Anniversary Show</a></h3> Mar 13, 2026 - Apr 19, 2026Opening: Friday, Mar 13, 2026 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/jackson-junge-gallery" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jackson Junge Gallery</a> Vertical’s 13-Year Anniversary Show marks the gallery’s return to Chicago, where its story began. All work will be displayed inside Jackson Junge Gallery, located in Wicker Park.&nbsp;This is Vertical's first show of 2026, and the first show back in Chicago since owner Patrick Hull changed the business model to online and special exhibitions. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429142/sp4xwl6wduvtpnshoreu.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/roger-brown-weathervane" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Roger Brown: Weathervane</a></h3> Mar 19, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026Opening: Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/gray" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GRAY</a> Roger Brown: Weathervane is the first monographic exhibition at the gallery dedicated to Brown since announcing exclusive representation of the artist’s estate.&nbsp;Weathervane&nbsp;explores the artist’s vision of an emotionally charged contemporary life set at the tense border between the built environment and the natural world. Featuring eleven paintings from the 1980s and 1990s, the exhibition reflects Brown’s clarity of vision as an artist both unafraid to face sociopolitical headwinds and unable to ignore ecological destruction. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429143/p9cpv4vaekrkuygxuelz.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/composing-color-paintings-by-alma-thomas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas</a></h3> Mar 24, 2026 - Jul 5, 2026<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/smart-museum-of-art" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Smart Museum of Art</a> Alma Thomas (1891–1978) is a singular figure of twentieth-century American art. She developed her form of abstraction – characterized by the dazzling interplay of pattern and hue – late in life, after retiring from a long career as a schoolteacher. Her vibrant and rhythmic art transcended established genres, incorporating elements of gestural abstraction and color field painting and creating a style distinctly her own. Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas&nbsp;draws on the extensive holdings of the artist’s paintings at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and offers an intimate view of Thomas’s evolving practice during her most prolific period, from 1959 to 1978.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1780429144/lm3tkozavq48kglg3y4z.jpg"> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/cheryl-pope" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cheryl Pope</a></h3> Mar 28, 2026 - May 9, 2026<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/moniquemeloche" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">moniquemeloche</a> Cheryl Pope&nbsp;is an interdisciplinary visual artist&nbsp;who&nbsp;questions and responds to issues of identity as it relates to the individual and the community, specifically&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;race, gender, class, history, power, and place. Her practice&nbsp;emerges&nbsp;from the act and politics of&nbsp;listening and&nbsp;recently introduces&nbsp;a novel&nbsp;material to explore the artist’s memories. Referencing the familiar repertoire of the French Post-Impressionist, Intimist, and Imagist paintings, Pope recreates deeply personal recollections that cinematically compose the silent complexities of beautiful and tragic oscillations between love and loss in our everyday lives. Images of couples are drawn from memory, referencing the artist’s own relationships and moments of disconnect, anxiety, and desire, while beach scenes depicting a mother and child accentuate a tender stillness of caregiving. In these scenes, the figures exist in a nest of choreography–a rotating stage of mystery, tragedy, and poetry of day-to-day living with feelings of presence and absence woven throughout.&nbsp; <h2>• Talks</h2> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/ornament-identity-from-tiffany-studios-to-tattoo-studios" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ornament &amp; Identity: From Tiffany Studios to Tattoo Studios</a></h3> Thursday, Mar 5, 2026 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/the-driehaus-museum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Driehaus Museum</a> Join a conversation with tattoo artist Beth Mintzer&nbsp;and Elizabeth McGoey, Ann S. and Samuel M. Mencoff Curator, Arts of the Americas at the Art Institute of Chicago. Together, they’ll explore the legacy of Tiffany lamps from decorative art icons to contemporary tattoo inspiration. Beth Mintzer will also be guesting at Dwelling Tattoo on 3/3 &amp; 3/4 and has created special tattoo designs inspired by lamps from The Driehaus's current exhibition,&nbsp;Tiffany Lamps: Beyond the Shade.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bethmintzer.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.bethmintzer.com</a>&nbsp;for more info Not ready for the real thing? The museum is also selling temporary Tiffany tattoos designed by the artist; visit the Museum Store in person to shop. <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/lecture-in-photography-bob-thall" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lecture in Photography: Bob Thall</a></h3> Thursday, Mar 12, 2026 6:00 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/museum-of-contemporary-photography-mocp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP)</a> <h2>• Tours</h2> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/weekend-art-walk-west-town-galleries-mar-21" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Weekend Art Walk: West Town Galleries</a></h3> Saturday, Mar 21, 2026 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/art-encounter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Art Encounter</a> Get to know Chicago's galleries and the contemporary art world at large with our interactive Weekend Art Walks! On March 21, we'll view and discuss sculptures, photographs, embroidery, and more in four West Town locations: Andrew Rafacz Gallery, Western Exhibitions, Document Gallery, and the newly-opened Elise Seigenthaler Gallery. <h2> </h2><h2>• Auctions</h2> <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/picture-this-fine-vintage-vernacular-photography" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Picture This: Fine, Vintage &amp; Vernacular Photography</a></h3> Thursday, Mar 12, 2026<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/potter-potter-auctions-inc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Potter &amp; Potter Auctions, Inc.</a> Potter and Potter will be offering a range of fine and vintage photography in this auction, curated by Eric Robbins. Highlights include archives of space photography, Lewis Hine photographs, iconic pop culture imagery, studio and vernacular photographs of the 19th and 20th century in a range of subjects, panoramas, a comprehensive collection of "headless" trick photography, and photo albums. <h3><a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/the-fathers-and-saviors-of-our-country-a-presidential-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale</a></h3> Thursday, Mar 26, 2026<a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/freemans" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Freeman's</a>

CGN Art Preview: March 2026

<h3> </h3><h3> </h3><h3><a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2026/02/24/loyola-university-demolition-rogers-park-flatiron-building" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Loyola University starts demolition on Rogers Park flatiron building</a></h3>Loyola University Chicago began demolishing a 100-year-old flatiron building in Rogers Park last week, despite a yearslong push by community members to save the triangle-shaped building.Constructed in 1926 by architect R. Bernard Kurzon, the 30-unit apartment building at 1224 W. Loyola Ave. was once home to businesses Archie’s Cafe,&nbsp;Roman Susan Gallery&nbsp;and Edge Art. It’s next to the Loyola Red Line stop.The university purchased the site in 2024 for $3 million, according to the student newspaper&nbsp;Loyola Phoenix. It was issued a demolition permit on Jan. 5, according to city records.Via Chicago Sun–Times <h3 class="ql-align-justify"> </h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446746/rfu5hgrtvujx8mlsglkl.png">Big Chief Demond Melancon,&nbsp;Bras-Coupé (apron),&nbsp;2016. Glass beads, rhinestones, and braided trim on canvas. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim. <h3 class="ql-align-justify">Mariane Ibrahim Announced Representation of Big Chief Demond Melancon</h3> Born in New Orleans in 1978, where he continues to live and work, Melancon’s practice is deeply rooted in the traditions of Black Masking Culture of New Orleans, which he entered in 1992. Over the past four decades, he has cultivated a singular artistic language and an enduring local recognition that led him to receive in 2012 the title of Big Chief—the highest ceremonial role within a Mardi Gras Indian tribe. More than an honorific, the role carries the responsibility of guiding and inspiring the community, embodying the tribe’s values, aesthetic codes, and highest standards of craftsmanship and discipline.Melancon’s work takes the form of intricate suits conceived over the span of several years, and bi-﻿dimensional works, all executed entirely by hand through dense hand-sewn beadwork. Created to be activated in the ritual space of Mardi Gras, his suits unfold as complex narrative compositions, where history, memory, and imagination converge. Across his practice, a pantheon of figures emerges, invoking stories of Black excellence and rebellion, from Haile Selassie and icons of popular culture to visual references connected to Ashanti and Yoruba heraldry and ceremonial traditions. Self-taught, he has often cited influence of Kerry James Marshall, particularly in his commitment to expanding the historical and representational language of Black life.&nbsp; <h3><a href="https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-kx3yz48zellejw6e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pigment International's Glory! Glory! art exhibition honors Black History Month</a></h3> The Glory! Glory! art exhibition, presented by Pigment International, celebrates Black History Month through powerful and inspiring works. Founder Patricia Andrews-Keenan and featured artist Reggie McFly joined Fox 32 in studio to share what visitors can expect.&nbsp;Via Fox 32 <h3><a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/pritzker-prize-tom-pritzker-epstein-files-response-1234774267/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chicago-Based Pritzker Prize Defends Jury Independence After Epstein Ties Surface</a></h3> The Pritzker Architecture Prize issued a statement defending the integrity of its selection process after newly released Jeffrey&nbsp;Epstein files&nbsp;detailed past contact between Tom Pritzker, the director of the foundation behind the award, and the disgraced financier.The statement, released to&nbsp;the&nbsp;New York Times,&nbsp;said the Hyatt Foundation’s role as the prize’s benefactor allows it “to remain assured in the strength of its process and focus entirely on the celebration of architectural excellence.” It also emphasized the jury’s independence: “The jury, composed of internationally respected professionals from a range of disciplines, has always and will continue to conduct its work confidentially and free from external influence.”Via ARTnews

CGN Art World Recap: February 24, 2026

<h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446722/xoyv0gipx0ujc6p02s8h.jpg"></h3>Refik Anadol's&nbsp;Unsupervised&nbsp;at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.Photo Robert Gerhardt/The Museum of Modern Art, New York<h3> </h3><h3><a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/refik-anadol-moma-ai-art-60-minutes-debate-1234774176/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Refik Anadol’s ‘Lava Lamp’ Reignites the AI Art Debate on ’60 Minutes’</a></h3> According to one 2017 study, museum visitors on average spend about 27 seconds looking at a work of art, which is barely enough time to squint, nod thoughtfully, and move on. But if you ask AI artist&nbsp;Refik Anadol&nbsp;about how long people spent with&nbsp;Unsupervised, the controversial artwork he showed at the&nbsp;Museum of Modern Art&nbsp;in 2022, he’d say he got people’s attention for much longer—about 38 minutes per person, to be precise. To make the work, Anadol fed AI metadata related to more than 138,000 works owned by MoMA and let the system reinterpret the museum’s art history as a continuous flow of morphing abstractions. Think van Gogh dissolving into Monet dissolving into de Kooning dissolving into… What’s that saying about too many cooks spoiling the broth, again? Via ARTnews <h3><a href="https://news.artnet.com/multimedia/epstein-emails-art-market-2742320" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What Epstein’s Emails Tell Us About the Art Market</a></h3> There are many ways to read the vast trove of documents tied to the convicted sex offender and financier&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019. The Epstein files offer a window into the rarefied, power-brokering circles he inhabited. But the latest tranche—released by the&nbsp;U.S. Department of Justice&nbsp;in late January and comprising some three million pages, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images—also provides a behind-the-scenes view of high-level financial maneuvering, including Epstein’s connections to the art and cultural worlds. Via Arnet <h3><a href="https://observer.com/2026/02/art-market-collector-guide-artist-signature-add-value/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Why a Signature Can Make or Break an Artwork’s Price</a></h3> In the years she served as New York director of Crown Point Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/kim-schmidt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Kim Schmidt</a>&nbsp;worked with numerous artists—<a href="https://observer.com/person/john-cage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">John Cage</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/francesco-clemente/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Francesco Clemente</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/richard-diebenkorn/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Richard Diebenkorn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/al-held/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Al Held</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/pat-steir/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Pat Steir</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://observer.com/person/wayne-thiebaud/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(26, 26, 26); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">Wayne Thiebaud</a>, among others—on their print editions, and each produced images according to their own processes, which could vary widely. However, Schmidt had one iron rule for every artist and every edition they created: “We wouldn’t let works go out that weren’t signed and numbered.” Via Observer

What We're Reading: 2.24.26

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446797/cf3enb3drlkcyjdg3nvx.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/cut-it-out-papercutting-traditions-and-beyond" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cut It Out: Papercutting Traditions and Beyond</a>Exhibition begins February 18Racine Art Museum <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446799/d7z5cua7na9mm4bjdehu.png"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/jack-poker-beneath-an-economy-of-sky" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jack Poker: Beneath an Economy of Sky</a>Opening: Friday, February 20, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMSoNa Chicago Contemporary Art <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446800/wcp5064cgehmhcdsj25t.png"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/choreographic-place" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Choreographic Place</a>Exhibition begins February 21Evanston Art Center <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446801/fqsunrwtyskxvrupi0vi.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/2026-young-artists-of-kalamazoo-county" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2026 Young Artists of Kalamazoo County</a>Exhibition begins February 21Kalamazoo Institute of Arts <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446802/lozi5abipxnfaerhqach.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/essence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Essence</a>Opening: Saturday, February 21, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMShadowBoxX Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446803/qf15cl0djebs4az2gvtq.png"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/her-story" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Her Story</a>Exhibition begins February 21Evanston Art Center <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446804/x4xzplifllyughxpwucv.jpg"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/colin-matthes-the-intelligentsia-is-at-the-gates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colin Matthes: The Intelligentsia is at the Gates</a>Opening: Saturday, February 21, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PMOS Projects <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774446805/d0asesoof7g1e8motetg.png"> <a href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/forget-me-not" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forget Me Not</a>Exhibition begins February 22Epiphany Center for the Arts

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