An eBay Seller Was Offering Bargain Rates for Artists like Christina Ramberg and Jim Nutt

The hunt started when a friend pinged me the eBay store link for dantegallery, where two works on paper by famed Chicago Imagists Jim Nutt and Christina Ramberg (1946–95) were listed for $499 each (framed), a minuscule fraction of what they would typically fetch. And that was the “buy it now” option. Bidding opened on the lots at $99. We acquired both.

Both works had gallery labels on their backs, one from Phyllis Kind Gallery (for the Ramberg) the other from Jean Albano Gallery (the Nutt), legitimate and well-known Chicago galleries. (Kind closed her gallery in 2009 and died in 2018 at the age of 85.)

Via Arnet Pro

DePaul Art Museum collections to stay on campus as day-to-day operations cease

The DePaul Art Musuem has officially closed to the public, but the collections will remain with the institution, according to a university spokesperson.

Months ago, DePaul University announced the museum would cease all operations on June 30. Days later, university staff, faculty, students, alumni and notable Chicago arts leaders added their names to a letter of opposition to the closure.

Via WBEZ

New study finds the creative sector is Chicago’s third-largest industry

The creative sector is Chicago’s third-largest industry and accounts for nearly 213,000 jobs, according to a new economic impact study released Thursday by Arts Alliance Illinois, a statewide advocacy organization.

The group also released a statewide version of the study. Arts Alliance Illinois Executive Director Claire Rice said this is the most comprehensive report of this kind the group has conducted and that the findings provide arts organizations and advocates with concrete numbers that can be used to push for funding and policy changes across levels of government.

Via WBEZ