<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748619688/xp5obi9qlazyavwoarsm.jpg">Intuit's new exterior, with a vinyl building wrap by Bob Faust By GINNY VAN ALYEA Last week, after being closed for 20 months, Intuit Art Museum, formerly the Intuit Center for Outsider Art, reopened after an extensive renovation, both inside and out. Now encompassing three floors over 18,000 square feet, among the dramatically enhanced spaces that will welcome Intuit visitors are four exhibition galleries; a dedicated education and art-making studio; a flexible community gathering space to host performances, lectures and activities for visitors; a revamped gift store featuring an array of unique, fun and artist-made products; and a reimagined Henry Darger Room and interpretive exhibition, showcasing the art and life of the iconic Chicago artist over the span of two floors. Intuit’s staff is especially proud of the physical upgrades to accommodate all guests, including a new passenger elevator, interior staircases, and an accessible and welcoming entryway.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748619688/nmzysaatpspwz5q63e1h.jpg">The Henry Darger Room Founded in 1991 as a nonprofit, Intuit is a premier museum of self-taught art. Intuit champions the diverse voices of self-taught art, welcoming both new and familiar audiences.&nbsp; At the press gathering in front of a packed room – named the Cleo (after one of Intuit's biggest supporters, Cleo Wilson) – Intuit's Executive Director Debra Kerr repeated the old, very long name (Intuit:&nbsp;The&nbsp;Center&nbsp;for&nbsp;Intuitive&nbsp;and&nbsp;Outsider&nbsp;Art) seemingly one last time in order to officially usher in a new day for the creative organization in its refreshed West Town home. Kerr was ecstatic to laud the new identity&nbsp;in the spirit of welcoming not just artists but the many Chicagoans and visitors to the city who are not familiar with Intuit's mission of recognizing artists who are outside of the mainstream and who did not, or could not, go to art school often, because of barriers–geographic or societal or other. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748619689/lkfwot7jq8lnffg0shdh.jpg">Sculptures by Dr. Charles Smith Because of Intuit, Chicago is recognized worldwide as one of first places to represent these artists. Now, following a $5 million business development grant from the City of Chicago, Kerr and the Intuit team were able to realize a dream to have more exhibition space as well as educational classrooms and to make their 100 year old building accessible. 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. credited Intuit with paving the way for the community growth that has happened around West Town over the decades. "Intuit has been here a long time," he said. "There used to be Cabrini Green here, gas fires and vacant properties. Intuit had the foresight, like many art spaces, to go where others hadn’t. Artists make a city vibrant and that brings diversity to the neighborhoods." * <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748619690/p9gwgucxvtdxd2bsgqhs.jpg">A work by Charles Warner from Catalyst, looking out into West Town Intuit's first exhibition in the new space is installed throughout the second floor, which overlooks the busy West Town intersection of Chicago, Ogden and Milwaukee Avenues. The groundbreaking&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://qjxtjxbbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qGm0Cd0PQG4MW-49mn3aXLXOsgDPbh3B3euYI72gHm-lSYJ9xSsbRtc8VLytOv-dCXvC-GAgSC1obO-CByMoydjMKWCDn1DBTGwGYkbYBVx3o7CIpiTO90qYWlRnfnC4FxWwHeLRQwgKjSCZwKryMEqOAWFr6ceDwlaCEXM-cwvpd0WVbwCPCw==&amp;c=JYDNkpGo5Up_ciQdGCOCPBK0NOir0ppJ7m0Oy-FlvwVWyXDDCUaGLg==&amp;ch=AZmHzuGSdNJtHxLBuS3MjN7Mspa5FRMPd9CG_JEMdwG0IUEU-jwURw==" target="_blank">Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-taught Art in Chicago</a> is the first major exhibition to focus on the importance of immigration and migration in the genre of self-taught art.&nbsp;Catalyst&nbsp;explores the contributions of artists who came to and continue to enrich the culture of Chicago, a city with a significant and ongoing history of migration and immigration.&nbsp; Permanently on view is <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://qjxtjxbbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qGm0Cd0PQG4MW-49mn3aXLXOsgDPbh3B3euYI72gHm-lSYJ9xSsbRq_rNVn5wMHpPyBmOHGCoe-ZaX-TewRgOUKKRYq5YUDQbBuDsDn4IGN0yJqKHNQGAEPsUe-eOCE4J9wNu4PU8cnTs4Ot8GebQ9DtKzwb1GijUWdQGT9h4YPRxyUsUtORiA==&amp;c=JYDNkpGo5Up_ciQdGCOCPBK0NOir0ppJ7m0Oy-FlvwVWyXDDCUaGLg==&amp;ch=AZmHzuGSdNJtHxLBuS3MjN7Mspa5FRMPd9CG_JEMdwG0IUEU-jwURw==" target="_blank">Henry Darger: The Room Revealed</a>, which celebrates the legacy of the noted Chicago artist through exhibition of his artworks, source materials and evocation of his apartment at 851 Webster Avenue in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, which doubled as his home and studio for more than 40 years.&nbsp;Darger's images are animated in the windows of the apartment space and a wall with digital representations of the ephemera and papers he saved gives viewers a feel of what the artist's creative environment was like. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748619691/d59o3sfn0xp56tbjoqwx.jpg">A work by Lee Godie <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://qjxtjxbbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qGm0Cd0PQG4MW-49mn3aXLXOsgDPbh3B3euYI72gHm-lSYJ9xSsbRtc8VLytOv-dZRIP5yycpATq9DWd0oEqoVbIV-uDN9yeRnZn60SiTTTOPKOFrhsp21Zn-1XBHRy5E6P6iXkELflbK172G3-ROAftwP2elFHl8DjANffPgyJRG9zKfsevQkY1H90M5CAInP0TGtLe1gfLMNwxd1jNibguITY0uk2K&amp;c=JYDNkpGo5Up_ciQdGCOCPBK0NOir0ppJ7m0Oy-FlvwVWyXDDCUaGLg==&amp;ch=AZmHzuGSdNJtHxLBuS3MjN7Mspa5FRMPd9CG_JEMdwG0IUEU-jwURw==" target="_blank">Highlights from the IAM collection</a>&nbsp;are also now on view in in the first-ever gallery devoted to continually exhibiting the Museum’s collection. The exhibition acknowledges significant work made by Chicago-based artists such as William Dawson, Lee Godie, Mr. Imagination, Roman Villarreal, Wesley Willis and Joseph Yoakum. Intuit may have been closed for over a year and a half, but this reopening means that the public will enjoy the museum and its unique mission for many years to come. # <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://art.org/" target="_blank">Intuit Art Museum</a>756 N. Milwaukee Ave.Chicago, IL 60642 HoursWed-Sun: 11 am–6pmThird Thursdays: 11 am–8 pm Admission is $15, or free for members, those 24 and younger, and those unable to pay.&nbsp;

Intuit Art Museum Reopens to Welcome the Public Inside

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748544046/adfpqvcebxwukzt3kguc.jpg"> In an email today EXPO CHICAGO announced that fair founder and Director Tony Karman will be stepping back. The full announcement is below. This leadership change comes after EXPO CHICAGO was <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/articles/expo-chicago-to-be-acquired-by-global-art-fair-platform-frieze" target="_blank">acquired by Frieze</a> in 2023. Then at the beginning of this month after the April fair wrapped up, it was announced that a new company founded by <a style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/articles/ari-emanuels-new-company-buys-frieze-owner-of-expo-chicago" target="_blank">Ari Emanuel</a> would acquire Frieze. It's hard to say just how much Tony has contributed to Chicago's art fair legacy and to the many organizations he has championed and supported in visible and invisible ways over the years, including CGN. We are grateful for his vision, his leadership and most of all, his optimism. – Ginny Van Alyea, CGN Publisher After 14 remarkable years as a driving force behind the fair, Tony Karman will step back from his role as Director of EXPO CHICAGO at the end of June. He will continue as President of the fair, serving in an advisory capacity to support the team.&nbsp; Frieze will now begin the search for a new Fair Director, with Tony providing continuity and counsel during this transition.&nbsp;&nbsp; Simon Fox, CEO of Frieze, said: “I want to thank Tony for his dedication, professionalism, and energy at EXPO CHICAGO. I am delighted that this next chapter will ensure a seamless transition of leadership whilst retaining Tony’s tireless enthusiasm, positivity, and support for both the fair and the City of Chicago.”&nbsp; Reflecting on his time with the fair, Tony said: “When I founded EXPO CHICAGO in 2011, our ambition was to renew Chicago’s storied tradition as a preeminent art fair destination — to innovate, to establish enduring programming and partnerships that would benefit the local, regional, and global communities of galleries, collectors, curators, and institutions, and to consistently support our exhibitors and the artists they represent. I remain deeply proud of all that we accomplished, and of the distinct honor it has been to work alongside an extraordinary group of individuals, each of whom contributed meaningfully to this legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp; As I move into a new advisory role with EXPO CHICAGO, I want to acknowledge the deep commitment Frieze has made to both the fair and to Chicago’s wider cultural landscape. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting the team as they shape the future of the fair.”&nbsp; Tony’s leadership has played a defining role in shaping EXPO CHICAGO, driven by his dedication, and we look forward to building on the strong foundation he has built.&nbsp;

EXPO Founder Tony Karman to Step Down As Director

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748271434/kczntekbncdunnmyysgi.png"> By GINNY VAN ALYEA An adventure for families and for a carload of friends is to head north for a night or two in Door County, Wisconsin. Door County Contemporary is a brand new contemporary, regional art fair that is blending the best of this beautiful, welcoming part of the country with some of the area's best galleries. DCC was born from the desire to address a lack of contemporary art in an otherwise culturally enriched and dynamic destination. There is no shortage of visitors to Door County, especially in the summer, but DCC founders saw an opportunity to also introduce some of the region's best contemporary art to the area for a weekend at the start of summer. Organizers wanted to do a fair with enthusiasm that embraces the energy, vision, and welcoming spirit of the region. ﻿DCC will host 20 art 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. Several participating exhibitors hail from Chicago, a sign of warm cross border relations for sure. If you can't make it to the fair, maybe one of these galleries will bring back some Spotted Cow for you (hint: 65 Grand, Oliva, Process/Process, Western Exhibitions, Devening Projects...) I love any excuse to go to Wisconsin but I have also spent all my life going to the Northwoods, Madison, Green Bay, Sheboygan and Milwaukee and expanding my own understanding of all that Wisconsin has to offer. Yes, good cheese curds are a revelation and a properly made Old Fashioned (bitter, not sweet) is a treat every time, but it's a mistake to reduce such a dynamic state to some stereotypes that seem to always volley over the Illinois border. DCC organizers say they hope to leave visitors feeling they’ve married the best of fine art with the idiosyncratic swagger of the region, meant to resonate long after its visitors exit the highway. The events, the setting, the tastes and smells, and of course the world class art will create something far greater than the sum of its eclectic parts: woodsy tradition and bleeding-edge cultural objects; Spotted Cows and conceptual art; and all the best things talented humans can deliver to the world to make it worth inhabiting. It will be worth the trip to find out. Jun 5-8, 2025Opening: Thursday, Jun 5, 4 – 7:00 PMPeninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, Wisconsin<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://randolphstreetmarket.com/event/randolph-street-market-festival-may-2025/" target="_blank">Details</a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/doorcountycontemporary/" target="_blank">@doorcountycontemporary</a>

A preview of Door County Contemporary in Wisconsin in 2025

Door County Contemporary Brings Art of Today to Wisconsin, June 5–8

By GINNY VAN ALYEA As we head into another Memorial Day weekend, thoughts will be on summer art hallmarks like some of the city's longest running art fairs and markets, several of which have been taking place for decades. Each weekend is an opportunity to travel around the city and spend time in its neighborhoods being a part of these traditions and creative gatherings. View CGN's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" target="_blank">full calendar of events</a> taking place all summer long. More events, including art fairs and festivals will be added each week. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748269856/cgqwqufqdwbqzjjxrdqg.jpg"> <h4>Randolph Street Market –&nbsp;May 24 &amp; 25 in West Loop</h4> The Randolph Street Market opens in the West Loop on Saturday May 24 and runs on Sunday the 25th as well. The summer market takes place outside as well as inside of Plumber's Hall, making for a true treasure-hunting expanse. Open 10am to 5pm both days (with a charity preview on Saturday at 9am) the 2025 Garden Party features 200 sellers offering the best vintage, antique &amp; repurposed furniture, art, decor, ephemera, vintage fashion and global goods. Tariffs be damned! There's also continuous live music &amp; DJ’s as well as fun food and libations to keep the party going and the wallet open... This year RSM founder Sally has gotten extra creative and there are festive ticket packages for families (drinks for adults, snacks for kids) as well as outings with your girlfriends (Prosecco for everyone!) and for students (cheap tickets that mean you can buy your own drink!) May 24 and 251341 W Randolph StIndoor &amp; Outdoor<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://randolphstreetmarket.com/event/randolph-street-market-festival-may-2025/" target="_blank">Details</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748269857/z39m2agluxtivhhxjg0g.jpg"> <h4>57th Street Art fair – June 7 &amp; 8 in Hyde Park</h4>​Kick off the summer at the first major art fair of the season, located in the beautiful Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.57thstreetartfair.org/" target="_blank">The 57th Street Art Fair</a> is THE place to buy art, whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the art scene. Listen to some of Chicago's best Blues music at the Buddy Guy's Legends Stage, meet friends, bring your family, enjoy the day at this historic, welcoming, fun event. All artists exhibiting at the Fair are stationed in their booths throughout the weekend to discuss their work. Saturday, June&nbsp;7, 11–6 and Sunday, June 8, 10–5Admission is always FREE <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748269859/bkcfpktwmzevf2cqqlad.png"> <h4>Gold Coast Art fair – June 7 &amp; 8, Downtown</h4> Amdur Productions puts on a nonstop run of art fairs in the city and the suburbs from Memorial Day onward (view full schedule <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://amdurproductions.com/" target="_blank">here</a>) During the first weekend in June the long-running <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://amdurproductions.com/gold-coast-art-fair/" target="_blank">Gold Coast Art Fair</a> marks its 67th year and returns to Chicago’s Grant Park. Featuring over 200 juried artists from across the country, with a diverse range of original works in painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, mixed media, and more, thousands of visitors are expected. Set in the heart of Chicago, between the Art Institute and Lake Michigan, the Gold Coast Art Fair offers an exciting atmosphere with live music throughout the weekend, and a variety of food, wine, beer, and sangria at three oases in Grant Park’s Butler Field. The fair also includes Paint and Sip classes, henna art, caricatures, personalized poems, and interactive art booths for kids. The Kids Art Zone is packed with fun activities, including face painting, sand art, giant bubbles, and more. Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, 10a-5p daily. Tickets are $15, with $2 from each sale benefiting WINGS Program, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence. Children 12 and under are admitted free. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748269860/vxwawcqm3f2lbqkuwr2o.jpg"> <h4>Fox River Arts Ramble, June 7 &amp; 8 in St, Charles</h4> The Fine Line Creative Arts Center invites you to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://fineline.org/pages/fox-river-arts-ramble" target="_blank">The Fox River Arts Ramble</a>, a one-day ramble through the Fox River Arts area, showcasing the amazing art and artists in this creative community west of Chicago. Fine Line's ever-popular Outdoor Artisan Market will feature new and returning artists, live music, and art demonstrations. Riverlands Brewing Company and Inches Taco Truck will offer great beer and great food! There is a music lineup and there will be dozens of local artists offering affordable art. Saturday, June 7, 10 am - 4 pmSt. Charles, ILNo Admission Fee. Includes the Fine Line Art Festival.Open Rain or Shine <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748269861/aeft2rfmufypdoihewnx.jpg"> <h4>Old Town Art Fair - Jun 14 &amp; 15 in Old Town</h4> Chicago’s legendary&nbsp;<a style="color: blue;" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.oldtownartfair.org/" target="_blank">Old Town Art Fair</a>, now celebrating its&nbsp;75th&nbsp;Anniversary, returns to the heart of the historic&nbsp;Old Town&nbsp;Triangle&nbsp;Historic&nbsp;District the second weekend in June. Established in 1948, the Old Town Art Fair is one of Chicago’s oldest juried art fairs and one of the first fine art fairs of its kind in the country. Organized by the non-profit&nbsp;Old Town Triangle Association&nbsp;and completely volunteer-run, this year’s Fair will be the most festive in its milestone 75-year history, attracting over 230 artists from across the country plus live music on two stages; an array of classic Chicago food and beverage options from local vendors; a dedicated Children’s Corner featuring interactive activities and crafts for kids; and the return of self-guided Garden Walks in over 50 gardens in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood.&nbsp;Annually, the Fair introduces artists to an estimated 30,000 art lovers over the course of the two-day event.&nbsp; Chris Nelson, Old Town Art Fair 2025 Chair, noted that a record number of artists applied to exhibit this year. “We have world class artists across all media showing with us,” he said. “We continue to expand our search for new exhibitors to ensure talented contemporary and upcoming artists are well represented, bringing a fresh feel to each year that has contributed to the Fair’s longevity and legacy over the past 75 years. From exceptional art to strolling Old Town’s historic gardens, there will be something for everyone to discover in this year’s Fair!” Along with the visual art offerings, the Garden Walk--an attendee-favorite year after year--offers visitors the opportunity to tour over 50 gardens, many of which are private and only viewable during the Art Fair. Organizers provide historical information, fun facts, and anecdotes about the homes, architecture, and past and present residents. Old Town’s quaint green spaces make the neighborhood a charming and delightful destination for locals and tourists alike.&nbsp; Proceeds from the suggested donation of $12 for adults (free for children) go&nbsp;directly back into local schools, arts, and cultural programs in the area, including historic and architectural preservation clubs; the Menomonee Club; and the Old Town Triangle Association. Saturday, June 14, 10am-7pm, and Sunday, June 15,10am-6pm.OldTown&nbsp;Triangle&nbsp;Historic&nbsp;District - Main Gate at the intersection of Lincoln and Wisconsin StreetsTakes place, rain or shine <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748269861/bxmugsngdo56tlu3b34g.jpg"> <h4>Art Fair on the Square, Jul 12 and 13, Madison, WI</h4> One of the Midwest’s most popular and highly regarded outdoor celebrations of the arts will return to the Capitol Square on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, 2025, as MMoCA presents the 67th annual Art Fair on the Square. With its mix of music, entertainment, and outdoor dining, as well as over 500 artists exhibiting paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, jewelry, handmade clothing and accessories, and fine craft, the fair draws nearly 200,000 visitors to Madison’s Capitol Square. Madison, WISaturday, July 12, (9 AM–6 PM)Sunday, July 13, (10 AM–5 PM) # View CGN's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" target="_blank">full calendar of events</a> taking place all summer long. More events, including art fairs and festivals will be added each week.

Preview of art fairs and festivals taking place in Chicago summer 2025

Summer Art: Time for Markets and Festivals 

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748035235/iwsqvnnqsujb8miww8zt.jpg">Wallace Bowling,&nbsp;Champion By GINNY VAN ALYEA Wally Bowling enjoyed a career as an architect for over 30 years, all the while living and working in proximity to his life partner Douglas Dawson’s eponymous gallery in Chicago. When I first began working at CGN many years ago, I got to know both Dawson and Bowling. Dawson’s gallery fit with the community of galleries that were primarily contemporary, even though he specialized in ancient and historic tribal art from all corners of the world. Dawson closed the gallery in 2017, however elements live in their gorgeous vintage Edgewater apartment overlooking Lake Michigan, which I recently visited on a late Monday afternoon this past winter. Upon stepping off the elevator onto the private floor, you can feel the weight of the art’s history and the care and preservation the couple have shown for it. From room to room remarkable objects are primely placed–pots from Africa, linear furniture and symmetrical pottery from Japan, a collection of stone tools. Excellent talking points, we discussed the consideration of form, shape, and structure, things that Bowling is attuned not just due to his architectural background but because he is also an artist, something he has been actively embracing for the past decade. I had not seen Bowling very often since the gallery closed, but Bowling invited me to his home so I could view some of his recent artworks he has been assembling, pieces that he calls constructs. Bowling has retired as an architect, but his creative instincts still find an active outlet in his art. His first gallery exhibition was in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky a decade ago. As much as it is a form of expression, art making can also solve a design problem, such as how separately interesting objects can fit together to make something entirely new.&nbsp; Bowling’s constructs are placed throughout a set of ebonized bookshelves lining the full length of a wall in the lakeside dining room. None is particularly large in scale, but each features many curious, yet mostly familiar, utilitarian elements–knobs, hooks, latches, handles. The additions of found photographs, game pieces and text unify the disparate pieces into something new, almost ideally matched.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748035237/oe1myvbhdmkmueb6jhew.jpg">Wallace Bowling at home in Chicago. Photo by CGN. Several works are made from cigar boxes, containers Bowling says he used to find easily when traveling between Kentucky, Chicago, Madison and his and Dawson’s farm in Iowa. “What was interesting is that all the cigar stores were keen on recycling these boxes. Each of them had a charity that they wanted to donate the few bucks that you’d buy them for.” This resourcefulness impressed Bowling, and the architect in him was excited when he realized that the factory molds he had found in another shop fit neatly into the boxes, like they were meant to be despite disparate purposes. Finding and acquiring the molds made Bowling wonder what each one would have been for. Initially Bowling says, “The architect in me would sit down and do a drawing, and I would foolishly try to find the pieces that I wanted for it. I got over that really quickly.” A fit makes itself known, but it cannot be forced. Bowling says he is glad he bought what he could over the years because many of the antiques stores and flea markets he sourced his boxes and molds from are no longer around. While he could search more easily online today than years ago, he says that’s not the same as happening upon one object in a market and then waiting to encounter the piece that will make its match.&nbsp; Browsing the collection of constructs along the bookshelves, it’s as if I am looking over a set of family photographs, not because of the images within many of the boxes but because of the thematic and visual similarities I see. It’s as if they are a family–not an immediate or nuclear one but generations gathered at a reunion. I start to guess which pieces came before the others. Bowling’s process, while methodical and precise due to his architectural roots, is deliberate but I don’t think he has limited himself to thematic blocks, due to the serendipitous nature of sourcing his materials. Some of his constructs showcase tools that are no longer widely used, others show off the beauty of an obsolete factory mold. When I remark that many are phallic, though he points out there are nude women here and there as well. Others hint at a secret sadness. While others have attachments which might be harmful, if not handled properly. Each one is a departure from its material’s original purpose and contains a surprise.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748035239/edrlb2mcnlym2recqymw.jpg">Wallace Bowling, Amended cigar box with vintage aerial image of nuns’ cornettes. Wallace Bowling, Amended cigar box with vintage aerial image of nuns’ cornettes Bowling shares a story about a simple thin box with a hinged lid that was once a popcorn box, perhaps for storing kernels. He joined a handle on the side of the box at the suggestion of a friend, and he pasted an image to the inside, revealed to anyone who opens it. The amended and reassembled photograph is a vintage aerial shot of nuns’ cornettes. Bowling hails from Kentucky, but for many years now he and Dawson have spent about half the year on their farm in Harpers Ferry, Iowa, where they enjoy rural quiet and the chance to live and work outdoors, and the other half in Chicago. Traveling between their two homes, and a bit beyond, means Bowling frequents galleries and museums on both sides of the Wisconsin and Minnesota border, which has led to several institutional relationships over the years, from the Racine Art Museum, to the Chazen Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as the Lanesboro Art Center in Lanesboro, MN. Bowling and Dawson have long been world travelers, but now with the gallery closed they have the freedom to slow down and spend longer stretches in Iowa, where Bowling can work out of his rural studio and take time to tinker and experiment with his designs. His artistic process is similar to solving a design problem in that he has to take the measure of a project and then find what elements go together best. He also likes to take his time. Sometimes, Bowling shares, he starts with a sketch. Other times he shops his own studio, where the shelves are filled with tubes and boxes and organizers intended for tools and assembly pieces.&nbsp; Much of Bowling’s eccentric interests come out of the many art forms he has dabbled in: welding, ceramics, painting, and a lot of his collection he has dubbed “the museum of the discarded” as it’s filled with things you might find in an antique shop. He brings something home because it has a really unusual shape, he explains, or a patina. He points to a large, rusty, collapsed oil container he scavenged when traveling abroad. When some vendors nearby wondered what he saw, he explained he collects things he sees as interesting. “You never know what you might need it for,” he admits. Just in case, Bowling keeps numerous Bakelite radio knobs, drawer pulls, plumbing fixtures and other items on hand in his studio. “On their own they don’t mean a lot, but frequently they’re the perfect piece.”&nbsp; Bowling has been considering building a really large construct. “I might do a whole series of boxes that would make a landscape, and they could be filled with architectural objects and images.” He imagines they look like small domiciles, once again referencing his architecture career. “These shapes, they’re perfect. Even how they’re arranged they come across with a strong architectural influence, but they’re definitely their own creations.” Somehow, this artist will find how to fit them all together. ﻿<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748035241/grss7jmqdsdr2jhpqzmf.jpg">Wallace Bowling, Exquisite Horse

Constructing Surprises: Wallace Bowling

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747866640/xqflunbxtmliotyelay8.jpg">Newfields IMA, Photo by Eric Lubrick; Courtesy of Newfields By BIANCA BOVA For those attuned to the dramas of the art world, Newfields needs no introduction. Formerly the Indianapolis Museum of Art (founded 1883), the institution reconceptualized itself in 2017, marrying the museum to its grounds and surrounding attractions in Indianapolis, Indiana. Newfields became the unified name for the 152-acre compound that houses the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Fairbanks Park, The Garden, Lilly House, and the Elder Greenhouse. It then further extended its brand to the Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Indiana. The rollout of this expansion and rebranding was less than smooth. It was deemed by critics to be “<a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-29/why-is-everything-being-designed-for-instagram" target="_blank">the greatest travesty in the art world</a>,” and earned Newfields’ then-director Charles Venable the honorific of “<a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/newfields-director-charles-venable-indianapolis-art-museum-1218602" target="_blank">the most controversial museum director in America</a>.” The museum was accused of abandoning its mission, and Venable of turning “a grand encyclopedic museum into a cheap Midwestern boardwalk.” Venable resigned from his role as Director in 2021, though not officially because of the backlash from his refocusing of the museum’s program. Rather, it was a decision born of the fallout from a <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/arts/design/indianapolis-museum-job-posting.html" target="_blank">racially insensitive job posting</a>. All of this left Newfields seemingly adrift, and the institution cycled through an astonishing <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/26/arts/design/indianapolis-museum-le-monte-booker.html" target="_blank">three leaders in just four years</a>. Today it is helmed by Director Belinda Tate and President and CEO Le Monte Booker, whose efforts to right the ship are legible.&nbsp; Its museum is one that I know better than most. I was born and reared in Indiana, and I come from a family of automotive professionals and enthusiasts. All my life we made regular trips from my hometown of St. John down to Indianapolis to attend events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These trips invariably included visits to the Indianapolis Museum of Art as well. The IMA looms as large in my memory, and went as far in forming my interest–and eventually my taste–in art as did the Art Institute of Chicago.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747866641/nfkddwkkcuwg9da6feg6.jpg">Roy Lichtenstein (American, b.1923–d.1997)Five Brushstrokes, 2012; Design Date 1983-84painted aluminum480 x 77 x 15 in. (assembled)Courtesy of the Robert L. and Marjorie J. Mann Fund, Partial Gift of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Still, I never felt compelled to visit Newfields. I met every headline regarding its dysfunction with fresh disappointment. Earlier this year I was given good reason to reconsider my position, when a checklist for one of their current exhibitions <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://discovernewfields.org/exhibitions/message-medium-contemporary-art" target="_blank">The Message is the Medium</a> landed in my inbox. There isn’t really a museum I wouldn’t go to for a show with a roster that reads in part as follows: Vito Acconci, Robert Irwin, Donald Judd, Anselm Kiefer, Robert Rauschenberg, Do Ho Suh, Rachel Whiteread, Richard Hunt, Roger Brown, Robert Smithson, Lynda Benglis, Simone Leigh, James Turrell. So I booked a trip to Indianapolis and went to Newfields, ready to be impressed by the exhibition and resentful of the degradation of its environs.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747866641/vz2svd1v43rempminwcz.jpg">Vito Acconci (American, b.1940 - d.2017)&nbsp;Round Trip (A Space to Fall Back On), 1975; rebuilt 1987Medium and Support: stools, boxes, audio tape Dimensions: Dimensions variable The exhibition itself is not without curiosities that are suggestive of ongoing administrative troubles (no one, including the exhibition’s curator, could pin down an end date for the show or explain to me why it seems to be in the middle of an indefinite run). Setting that aside, it is an exceptional exhibition. Vito Acconci’s Round Trip (A Space to Fall Back On) and James Turrell’s Acton are both early masterworks requiring participatory attention that alone makes a visit worthwhile. Robert Rauschenberg’s Sling-shots lit #3, one of the few pieces from a series that utilizes sailcloth, mylar, and moveable window shade systems to remain in public circulation, as well as Anselm Kiefer’s Die Himmelspaläste (The Palaces of Heaven), are proof positive of the deep collecting habits of a handful of notable benefactors to the museum, as well as the commitment of the museum’s Contemporary Art Society (which for 58 years acquired work for the permanent collection, until being dissolved in 2020, along with the rest of Newfields’ affiliate organizations). The show is rounded out by a suite of loans (the aforementioned Smithson, Leigh, and Benglis sculptures) from <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://artbridgesfoundation.org/exhibitions/crystal-bridges-museum-of-american-art" target="_blank">Art Bridges</a>, the partner loan network of Crystal Bridges. It's of interest to see this initiative put into practice, and the works lent make a fine complement to the museum’s contemporary holdings.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747866642/djqlvjneofgtxbbx13nj.jpg">Simone Leigh (American, b. 1967)&nbsp;Las Meninas II,&nbsp;2019Medium and Support: terracotta, steel, raffia, and porceleinDimensions: 71 1/2 x 77 1/2 x 62 in. Beyond the contemporary galleries are equally satisfying exhibitions drawn from the museum’s extensive American Art, Asian Art, European Art, African Art, Native Art of the Americas, Textile and Fashion, Design, and Glass collections (the lattermost being especially robust, as it's a <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://indianaglasstrail.com/history/" target="_blank">regionally significant medium</a>). Periodically the galleries are punctuated by interdepartmental installations that veer from the heavy-handed (a Jenny Holzer LED sign hung alongside a 15th century Italian wedding chest sidepanel) to the smart and striking (paintings by Joan Mitchell and Sam Gilliam flanking a set of Frederick Wilson Tiffany stained glass windows depicting the Angel of the Resurrection). Also of note is the museum’s atrium, which houses one of only a handful of large-scale, site-specific institutional commissions by the late light and space artist Robert Irwin. Light and Space III spans the rise of the escalators servicing the museum’s four floors, lending the space an ethereal, heady, almost spiritual atmosphere. By way of special exhibitions on view, the Robertson-Slapak Collection of Chicago Imagist works puts to shame any other retrospective of the group’s output mounted in the past decade, and speaks to what feels like an oft-overlooked Midwestern collector class that has pockets as deep and taste as good as any propping up the more well-known institutions in larger cities.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747866643/d6q6tgf0f9rjs0lbkdzg.jpg">Kathryn Janeway,&nbsp;Michael, 1978&nbsp; Down in the museum’s lower level, alongside the theatre and the giftshop, one finds galleries presently devoted to the 93rd Annual Juried Exhibition of The Indiana Artists Club and a show, Artists Among Us, of works by Newfields’ staff. One work included in the latter, a 1978 photograph entitled Michael, by Kathryn Janeway (a member of the museum’s security team, who shared with me that she had not previously exhibited her work), is nothing short of exceptional. I continue to think about it daily, which I can't say about much other work I’ve seen recently. Both exhibitions feel like throwbacks to a time when institutions on the whole were more in touch with and respectful of their core constituencies–which is to say, those engaged directly with the art world, rather than the general public at large–and were as much a pleasure as a surprise to see.&nbsp; All told, Newfields should be on the shortlist of museums that are in and of themselves a worthwhile destination. May (when I went) happens to be an ideal time to travel to Indianapolis, as the city is energized by the lead-up to the “greatest spectacle in racing,” the Indianapolis 500, which is run every Memorial Day weekend. Moreover, there is not a more hypnotically beautiful place to be in the Spring than Indiana, and not a nicer place to experience the full pleasure of it than, quite honestly, on the grounds of Newfields. A long stroll through the manicured English gardens and rolling prairies that surround the historic Lilly House (itself a beautifully restored example of turn-of-the-century architecture) can replace all that a long, hard Midwestern winter depletes from one.&nbsp; In the aggregate all of this is almost–almost–enough to make one forget that Newfields is simultaneously responsible for propagating such cultural dreck as <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://discovernewfields.org/taptours/stop/1/stop-8" target="_blank">Funky Bones</a>, various <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://discovernewfields.org/lume-indianapolis-featuring-dali-alive" target="_blank">immersive projection rooms</a>, and of course the infamous <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://joyfulnoiserecordings.do317.com/events/2016/11/17/internet-cat-video-festival" target="_blank">Cat Video Festival</a> that seemed, with its debut, to signal the beginning of the end.&nbsp; All museums in all strata of the cultural sector are beleaguered by problems of one kind or another. It is inherent to their very nature, their bureaucratic form. Newfields has perhaps brought more problems onto itself than other institutions, and surely has borne them more publicly than most. For all of this, at the core still sits one of the great American museum collections, which in fairness ought to be a point of pride in the Midwest, for its content if not its delivery in concept. Still and all, the message–as we’re told–is the medium.&nbsp; Support for this article’s research was furnished by a&nbsp;Travel Grant for Visual Arts Journalism from the Dorothea and Leo Rabkin Foundation.&nbsp; # <h4>Read Bianca Bova's Indianapolis art itinerary <a style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/articles/three-hours-southeast-of-chicago-art-in-indianapolis" target="_blank">here</a></h4>

Recapturing an Indiana Art Center: A Visit to Newfields 

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747938470/oyrg1nzhr11skkj2ndup.png">Aerial view of Indianapolis. Photo courtesy Factory Arts District By BIANCA BOVA Indianapolis is just three hours southeast of Chicago, (four if you take the Amtrak Cardinal), making it an ideal destination for a weekend roadtrip. If you’re an avid museum-goer and haven’t made it down to Indy, plan your visit without further delay. Indiana’s state capitol is rich with museums both institutional and obscure, and nearly all of them merit a visit.&nbsp; <h4><a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://discovernewfields.org/" target="_blank">Newfields</a> </h4> Newfields is the 152-acre compound that encompasses the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Fairbanks Park, The Garden, the historic Lilly House, and the Elder Greenhouse. The museum is an encyclopedic institution that houses a permanent collection of over 54,000 works spanning over 5,000 years of art and human history. Its contemporary collection is as strong as its collection of historical works and antiquities, and the grounds surrounding the museum campus are exceptionally beautiful.&nbsp; Read Bianca's CGN feature about her recent visit to <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/articles/recapturing-an-indiana-art-center-a-visit-to-newfields" target="_blank">Newfields</a>. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747938472/szvrzecy75737cok4pqm.jpg">The Eiteljorg Museum in downtown Indianapolis, front exterior. File image courtesy of the Eiteljorg Museum&nbsp; <h4><a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://eiteljorg.org" target="_blank">Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art </a></h4> The Eiteljorg Museum was founded in 1989 with the mission to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history, and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of North America and of the American West. The museum collects, conserves, and exhibits both contemporary and historical art and cultural objects. It is the only museum of its kind in the Midwest, and one of only two museums east of the Mississippi that explore both Native America and the American West, and as such is not to be missed.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747938475/fjgig34grxi22crsa0cb.jpg">Courtesy of the Indiana State Museum&nbsp; <h4><a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.indianamuseum.org" target="_blank">Indiana State Museum </a></h4> Officially the Indiana State Museum is the anchor institution in a network of 12 sites of cultural and historical significance across the state. In practice, it feels more like a fever dream. Unfolding across three floors, it crosses the frenetic visual dynamics of a children's museum with the spirit of a small town historical society. The result includes more rotunda galleries lit with disco lights and taxidermy raccoons than any one museum frankly ought to have. As a Hoosier all I can say is that it does capture some element of absurdity endemic to life in Indiana with great accuracy.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747938478/ffiyhi4arjvcpwjecyur.jpg">Courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway&nbsp; <h4><a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/at-the-track/museum" target="_blank">Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum </a></h4> Fresh off their grand reopening after a seventeen-month-long, $60.5 million dollar renovation (its first in forty years), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has never been more worth a visit. While it now contains all the bells and whistles associated with contemporary American museums (new media displays, interactive elements, a kids section, etc.), the real star is the exhibition design. From the invisible mounting of the banked automobile displays in the main galleries to the historic life-size dioramas in Gasoline Alley, it's a rare example of flawless execution. For fans of the old IMS, note that it still retains its charm. The top floor gallery highlights deep archival content including a suite of Leroy Neiman paintings, Miss Speedway sashes, and Indy 500-themed pachinko machines.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747938481/pfr79ob4xgvlxislnhyq.jpg">Courtesy of Long-Sharp Gallery&nbsp; <h4><a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.longsharpgallery.com/" target="_blank">Long-Sharp Gallery at the Conrad Hotel </a></h4> While strictly speaking not a museum, Long-Sharp is the only bluechip art dealership with an outpost in downtown Indianapolis. Operating out of a well-appointed gallery located in the residential wing of the Conrad Hotel, it’s worth a visit to see their exhibitions and whatever secondary market inventory is on hand. The trick, though, is to exit through the hotel lobby and sweet talk a bellman into letting you upstairs to view the hotel’s art collection. Then, if you can bear to part with the money, spend the night in one of their famed Collection Suites and enjoy a Warhol, Dali, or Picasso instead of the traditional milquetoast hotel art you could expect down the street at, say, the Holiday Inn.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747938484/anjts1r77dsyyie8gyne.jpg">Courtesy of Factory Arts District&nbsp; <h4><a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.factoryartsdistrict.com/" target="_blank">Factory Arts District </a></h4> Once the home of legendary automotive engineering and manufacturing giant Schwitzer, the sixteen acre industrial complex on Mass Avenue on Indianapolis’ near eastside known as the Factory Arts District is a sprawling complex that contains galleries, artist studios, car collections, restaurants, event spaces, and vintage shops. Visit on the first Friday of each month for an open house event that features an exhibition opening in the central gallery, refreshments, open studios, pop-up vendors, and a DJ.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747938486/zkuugi1xr9zrnq0ze4bl.jpg">Courtesy TSLM <h4><a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.visitindy.com/listing/teeny-statue-of-liberty-museum/279345/" target="_blank">The Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum </a></h4> Unlikely though it may seem, Indianapolis is home to a private museum that contains a permanent collection of over 450 pieces, all of which immortalize Lady Liberty in some fashion. For over 33 years, owner Tim Harmon has collected everything from Avon bottles, toothbrush holders, and lawn sprinklers, to cigarette lighters, pencil sharpeners, and condoms, all featuring the Statue of Liberty. Formerly located on Tenth Avenue, the museum has recently relocated to the aforementioned Factory Arts District. Admission is 50¢, though bringing an object to donate to the collection yields you a lifetime membership, gratis–a bargain whether you’re a fan of New York, Americana, or just obsessiveness.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747938488/vnoownlnk6ecs4q09rbh.jpg">Courtesy AFCA Antique Fan Museum&nbsp; <h4><a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://fanimation.com/museum/" target="_blank">Antique Fan Collectors Association Museum</a> </h4> Though you’ll have to travel to neighboring Zionsville, Indiana to visit the official Antique Fan Collectors Association Museum, I think you’ll agree it's well worth the out-of-town carfare charge to pay a visit to one of the more niche institutions in the Midwest. The promise that it contains an "overwhelming number of examples of antique fans from every era,” is one on which it overdelivers. Over 2,000 examples dating as far as the 1880s, amassed with the assistance of over 750 Antique Fan Collectors Association members, are on view, exhibited warehouse-style on shelving units. It’s not a wholly uninteresting place to pass an afternoon.&nbsp; ________________________________________________________________________________________________ <h4>Restaurants&nbsp;</h4> It’s not a proper trip to Indianapolis without dinner at the legendary <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stelmos.com/" target="_blank">St. Elmo’s</a>, with their world famous, sinus-clearing shrimp cocktail. If you’re looking to escape downtown, head to Broadripple for an exceptional, rustic meal at <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rootnboneindy.com/" target="_blank">Root &amp; Bone</a>. For mornings when the complimentary continental breakfast doesn’t cut it, stop by <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.goodmorningmamas.com/" target="_blank">Good Morning Mama’s</a> for authentic Hoosier cuisine, with a side of kitsch.&nbsp; <h4>Hotels</h4> If you can, by all means stay at the <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.longsharpgallery.com/" target="_blank">Conrad</a>. If you can’t, <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/indmd-le-meridien-indianapolis/overview/?nst=paid&amp;hmGUID=e6d1d0c2-0088-400a-14bd-aebc60518232" target="_blank">Le Méridien</a> will do. If you or your traveling companion happen to be railway foamers (or, like myself, just have mixed luck with hotwire.com) you might stay at the <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://crowneplaza.reservationscenter.com/hotel/crowne-plaza-indianapolis-dwtn-union-stn-an-ihg-hotel-123-west-louisiana-street-indianapolis?modal&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=20486196362&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAo_xMh34wEchTPYbj1Z8D6TD4zgmo&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwravBBhBjEiwAIr30VBFk4blvJJ3T0gu3D7lBhNmza2Hd5KxpocK_zi2nTqFod2HJcBOzeBoCvKQQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Union Station Hotel</a>, where if desired you can opt for a room inside a vintage train car. If you prefer something more boutique, the <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hotelbroadripple.com/" target="_blank">Hotel Broad Ripple</a> has a great deal of charm.&nbsp;&nbsp; Support for this article’s research was furnished by a&nbsp;Travel Grant for Visual Arts Journalism from the Dorothea and Leo Rabkin Foundation.&nbsp;

A writer takes a road trip to Indianapolis to see art

Three Hours Southeast of Chicago: Art in Indianapolis

Spring is shaping up to be a busy&nbsp;season in Chicago’s art world, with new&nbsp;exhibitions across galleries and museums.&nbsp;Behind the scenes, many people in the community&nbsp;are working tirelessly to support artists and bring&nbsp;fresh perspectives to the public. We spoke&nbsp;with five insiders about what excites them now&nbsp;and what they anticipate next. To receive a copy of the print edition&nbsp;<a style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://835ba3.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">click here.</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038717/ko0afvdqszv9giugnro3.jpg"> <h4>Victor Armendariz –&nbsp;Gallery Victor</h4> “<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/gallery-victor" target="_blank">Gallery VICTOR’s</a> busy spring and summer schedule includes a wonderful exhibit of photography by Kirill Polevoy titled Allure, which opened in conjunction with EXPO Chicago/Frieze on April 25.&nbsp; We are also thrilled to announce our representation of long-time Chicago artist Leopold Segedin, who passed away in January and left behind an extraordinary body of work. In May we will open a show at the Art Center Highland Park, Gallery VICTOR Presents: Our Time, which is an overview of the gallery that will fill all TACHP’s massive space through mid-June. Our summer show of monumental paintings by Brooklyn-based artist Nathan Brad Hall will cap off season.”

Anticipating a Season of Art: Five to Talk to – Victor Armendariz

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039077/rruwjw9w6rwjj7qvtosb.jpg"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/ocean-house-may-2025" target="_blank">Ocean House May 2025</a>Begins May 21Lily Pad | West <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039078/d4eoml3aphgv29c1qtbi.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/melissa-weber-ode-to-common-things" target="_blank">Melissa Weber: Ode to Common Things</a>Opening: Thursday, May 22, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMEpiphany Center for the Arts <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039079/zr3dmmacvonvw2atmglg.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/willie-kohler-there-are-many-nows" target="_blank">Willie Kohler: There Are Many Nows&nbsp;</a>Opening: Friday, May 23, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM65GRAND <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039080/ezyhkkcdrunq7rd1liun.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/sounds-better-with-you" target="_blank">sounds better with you</a>Opening: Friday, May 23, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMCircle Contemporary (Arts of Life) <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039081/mqqjunqvape0wemc107h.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/catalyst-immigration-and-self-taught-art-in-chicago" target="_blank">Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-taught Art in Chicago</a>Begins May 23Intuit Art Museum <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039082/mebuvbyv2izwes1k9a8x.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/tom-torluemke-live-on-paper-1987-2024" target="_blank">Tom Torluemke: LIVE! ON PAPER, 1987 - 2024</a>Opening: Saturday, May 24, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PMChicago Cultural Center <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039082/jprkm4nwfqbhkvxkupoz.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/friends-of-dorothys" target="_blank">Friends of Dorothy’s</a>Begins May 24Evanston Art Center <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039083/bwz4kmwpf4ou4mdmgxwr.jpg"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/photography-now" target="_blank">Photography Now</a>Opening: Saturday, May 24, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PMWoman Made Gallery

New Exhibitions May 21 - 24

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748039035/s4bvypfb3gucinmlowvu.jpg"> Carved limestone Maya frieze, late classic period, 500-700 CE, 47" x 20"By CGN Staff via PR The&nbsp;<a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/" target="_blank">National Museum of Mexican Art</a>&nbsp;(NMMA), announced that&nbsp;in collaboration with the Government of Mexico, it is facilitating the repatriation of a Mayan frieze to its place of origin in Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At a press conference on Friday, May 16. Anthropologist Diego Prieto Hernández, Director General of the&nbsp;National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), a branch of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico, accepted the artifact. Dr. Antonio Saborit, Director of the&nbsp;National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, was also present. The limestone frieze, measuring 47”x 21”x 4” and dating from between 500 - 900 CE, is from the Classic Period of Maya civilization in Mexico and depicts a figure wearing an elaborate mask and headdress with hands extended as if speaking. Originally, there were two figures facing one another. The artifact, which was held in a private collection, was displayed at the Brooklyn Museum in the 1960s and 1970s and then at the Art Institute of Chicago in the late 1980s. Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan acquired the piece in 1988, and in 2024, their family sought the National Museum of Mexican Art’s assistance in returning the sculpture to Mexico. This past February the NMMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with INAH to continue collaborating on projects and exhibitions that promote Mexico’s cultural patrimony. The NMMA Visual Arts Department worked with INAH to coordinate an orderly transfer of the Maya frieze.&nbsp;INAH has full normative and guiding power in the protection and conservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.&nbsp;This Mexican institution, founded in 1939, researches, preserves and disseminates the nation's archaeological, anthropological, historical, and paleontological heritage in order to strengthen the identity and memory of the society that holds it.&nbsp; Prieto emphasized that “through this act we wish to attest the significance for the Mexican Government to recover our archaeological and historical heritage, and in general the cultural patrimony of Mexicans that is improperly residing in other countries.” “Our mission compels us to advocate for practices that promote equity and acknowledge the significance of cultural heritage for communities worldwide,” said Cesáreo Moreno, Visual Arts Director for the NMMA. “By acknowledging the importance of cultural heritage to its originating communities, we promote a richer and more nuanced understanding of humanity.”&nbsp;“We are honored to collaborate on this repatriation mission with our colleagues at the National Institute of Anthropology and History and the National Museum of Anthropology. We encourage institutions that collect cultural objects to engage in open, respectful, and proactive dialogue with the communities and countries from which they originate.” Moreno said.&nbsp; # The National Museum of Mexican Art is one of the country’s most prominent Latino cultural organizations and the only nationally accredited museum dedicated to Mexican art and culture. Its Permanent Collection consists of more than 20,000 artworks. The museum has presented over 250 exhibitions, provides arts education to 52,000 students annually, and serves over 150,000 annual visitors from 60 countries. Admission is always free. For more information visit <a style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=FfBUr_MZk6PLh28C8c1iGjWQc97R0RMsKa1_eFuKPGI&amp;m=oCf9FuXvJHOQUdgdj1q3lYaeMMv03rD1bNDgLujGeCM&amp;s=IgIcU2FTm5YMogCHsOKH3EytMpGjrc32VosKz6U7SKE&amp;e=" target="_blank">www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org</a>.&nbsp;

National Museum of Mexican Art Facilitates Repatriation of Mayan Frieze to Mexico

Spring and summer is shaping up to be a busy&nbsp;season in Chicago’s art world, with new&nbsp;exhibitions across galleries and museums.&nbsp;Behind the scenes, many people in the community&nbsp;are working tirelessly to support artists and bring&nbsp;fresh perspectives to the public. We spoke&nbsp;with five insiders about what excites them now&nbsp;and what they anticipate next. To receive a copy of the print edition&nbsp;<a style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://835ba3.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">click here.&nbsp;</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747427477/j8zhagwc0g2prcumklra.jpg"> <h4>Justin Witte –&nbsp;Cleve Carney Museum of Art</h4> “Right now, I’m deep in final preparations for Hokusai &amp; Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, our summer exhibition featuring works from the Edoardo Chiossone Museum in Genoa, Italy. After that, I’m super excited to shift focus back to some incredible Chicago artists. Opening October 16, 2025, Andi Crist will have a solo exhibition showcasing her phenomenal work in her largest show to date. Then, on January 27, 2026, our Assistant Curator Julia Walker presents Chairish, an exciting show featuring the unstoppable talents of Norman Teague and Alex Chitty. Both exhibitions promise to be absolutely phenomenal.” <a style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/the-cleve-carney-museum-of-art-ccma" target="_blank">Cleve Carney Museum of Art</a> ﻿

Anticipating a Season of Art: Five to Talk to – Justin Witte

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038195/ayesuwchksgsczxx076p.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/laurie-lebreton-insisting-and-maintaining" target="_blank">Laurie LeBreton: INSISTING AND MAINTAINING</a>Opening: Friday, May 16, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMEpiphany Center for the Arts <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038196/dekacpw8v2qzmlwynyde.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/perspectives-from-japan-a-group-exhibition-of-japanese-mosaic-artists" target="_blank">Perspectives From Japan: A Group Exhibition of Japanese Mosaic Artists</a>Opening: Friday, May 16, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMGallery of Contemporary Mosaics <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038197/mqxusr4qaxxr0krhtwmv.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/germinations" target="_blank">Ximena Garrido-Lecca: Germinations</a>Opening: Saturday, May 17, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PMThe Renaissance Society <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038198/fcf90oy8fcwr0ibkbe9v.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/may-flowers" target="_blank">...May Flowers</a>Opening: Saturday, May 17, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PMChicago Truborn

New Exhibitions May 16 & 17

Spring and summer is shaping up to be a busy&nbsp;season in Chicago’s art world, with new&nbsp;exhibitions across galleries and museums.&nbsp;Behind the scenes, many people in the community&nbsp;are working tirelessly to support artists and bring&nbsp;fresh perspectives to the public. We spoke&nbsp;with five insiders about what excites them now&nbsp;and what they anticipate next. To receive a copy of the print edition&nbsp;<a style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://835ba3.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">click here.</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747066661/dasd2wpf373f4wn1fkew.jpg"><h4> </h4><h4>Barbara Cooper – Artist</h4> “Being in the exhibition A Tale of Today: Materialities, curated by Dr. Giovanni Aloi, at the Driehaus Museum earlier this year has been a fabulous opportunity to connect my studio work with the large-scale permanent and site-specific public artwork that is the other side of my practice.&nbsp; Currently, I am working on a three-part grouping of CNC-routed bas reliefs, a very different process for me, to be installed next year at Chicago State University’s Health Simulation Lab. Both scales involve considering the architectural space and how it functions with those who use the space. Both exist outside of the white box of the gallery and come with the challenge of their own unique materials, opportunities, and complexities. Also on view this year is an earlier work in the MCA’s Descending the Staircase exhibition and the 20th anniversary show at Metropolitan Capital Bank.” <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.barbaracooperartist.com/" target="_blank">barbaracooperartist.com</a>

Anticipating a Season of Art: Five to Talk to – Barbara Cooper

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747072660/magguetl13rtazpjngmi.jpg">Rory McEwen (1932-1982) Tulip, ‘Julia Farnese’ rose feather, 1976.&nbsp;© The Official Estate of Rory McEwen. By JACKIE LEWIS Artist Rory McEwen’s paintings of nature are exceptionally detailed. That much is obvious when you first encounter his work, but upon further study each work reveals itself as something well beyond scientific reproduction or illustration. McEwan’s unique combination of realism and modernism deftly evokes both emotion and beauty.&nbsp; McEwen became known in the 1960s and 70s for his distinctive style of botanical realism framed by, and placed within, large amounts of white space. The Scottish-born artist was only 50 when he died in 1982, and since that time McEwen’s children have been dedicated to promoting the legacy of the late artist’s work. The opportunity to view dozens of McEwen’s works in person comes to Chicago this summer as Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature arrives at Chicago’s Driehaus Museum and continues the reintroduction of Rory McEwen and his artwork to United States audiences. The Driehaus exhibition is the last stop on a multi-city tour across the country. McEwen is not a household name in the United States, but he is well-known overseas. The current exhibition has been successfully exposing both American art aficionados as well as botanists to his legacy, a prospect that has been exciting for friends and family of the artist to see unfold. Chicago resident Joseph Gromacki, Driehaus Museum Board member and friend of the McEwen family, shared with CGN that this exhibition has had a great reception at its previous stops, and McEwen’s work demonstrates Incredible luminosity. “They have a real trueness of color through the use of watercolor on vellum,” he says, “And [the images] are as real as they can possibly look.” The breadth of work shown in A New Perspective on Nature firmly orients McEwen in the history of botanical art while acknowledging the bridge he created between Old Masters and contemporary artists through a style that melds multiple time periods and influences. On view will be multiple examples of botanical art from the 16th-18th centuries, with Old Master works by 17th and 18th century floral artists, many from American philanthropist Bunny Mellon’s extensive estate. Works by contemporary botanical artists from the renowned collection of Dr. Shirley Sherwood are also included in the exhibition.&nbsp; Though work by other artists provides context, the centerpiece of the exhibition is 85 of McEwen’s paintings, on loan from numerous galleries and collections from around the world, featuring highly detailed botanical subjects, from lush individual flowers, to varigated leaves and crisp vegetables, each set strikingly against a vast, white background. The juxtaposition of detailed realism with the spare aesthetics of modernism defines McEwen as an artist whose work was ahead of its time, while paradoxically being an artist of his time. * <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747072661/qewcunr1y9si5fevfo6x.jpg">Red Pepper 1971, Watercolour on vellum, 28.9 x 39.4 cm, ©The Estate of Rory McEwen McEwen’s interest in organic matter had roots in his childhood growing up on the magical Marchmont House in the Scottish Borders where he could indulge his artistic sensibilities in an idyllic setting. At home he was taught how to draw by his governess, before he received a more classical education at the famed Eton College in England, and then subsequently he also made contact with French floral painters during his travels. McEwen’s ideal circumstances and family standing meant in some ways he easily found himself on a path to immersing himself in botanical art. McEwen once said he chose his subject matter as “a way to get as close as possible to what I perceive as the truth of the time in which I live.” For McEwen, natural imagery allowed the artist to delve deeply into a lifelong inquiry into light and color in natural objects.&nbsp; McEwen was a bit of a celebrity in his youth when he made a name for himself because of another artistic medium: music. An interest that grew out of his inclination for history, McEwen crafted his own interpretations of ancient Scottish folk ballads, playing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and even touring the United States in 1956, playing in high profile venues like the Ed Sullivan Show. Despite his musical talent and following, he ultimately dedicated himself to the visual arts. After a musical tour, McEwen claims that “[his] hand had unknowingly educated itself,” and he returned to painting.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747072662/wr35huuh6gudqminctjo.jpg">Rory McEwen (1932-1982), Old English Striped Tulip, 1974-76,&nbsp;watercolor on vellum.&nbsp;© The Estate of Rory McEwen. Lisa Key, Driehaus Museum Executive Director, believes that this exhibition invites us to approach our natural surroundings with curiosity and wonder. “McEwen’s naturalistic paintings,” she considers, “will echo the organic forms and ornamentation throughout our historic interiors” McEwen’s paintings capture an intensely detailed realism that is a masterwork in painting, especially given the difficulty of his chosen media, watercolor on vellum. This choice highlights how McEwen was inspired by Old Master artists who were fond of painting on vellum as well for realistic depiction, yet McEwen transforms it for his own purposes, which ultimately made him an artist who managed to bridge the gap between past and contemporary botanical art styles. While the material choices are similar, McEwen’s placement and use of the negative and abstraction of blank space was his own invention. As Gromacki explains choosing a beautiful object, such as a flower, and letting it become everything in the white space glorifies the subject in a way prior artists did not. It places the subject in conversation and allows a sense of beauty and emotion that a more scientific depiction may lack.&nbsp; Late in his career, before his untimely death due to cancer, McEwen’s work focused on deteriorating leaves. He felt that so much was happening within a dying leaf that it could capture life’s fading grandeur. McEwen proclaimed that he was not a botanist or a scientist but an artist depicting more than the visual in his works. Even once the artist himself was gone, McEwen’s art had a profound impact on the work of contemporary artists who came after, a testament to how some artists utilized a connection between modernism and classical botanical art to inform their own artistic expressions. McEwen’s style is established as a connective piece, bridging the past and the future.&nbsp; * The Driehaus Museum aims to share exhibitions that bring new perspectives to visitors. One way that the museum plans to cultivate these new viewpoints is through thought provoking collaborations with other local institutions. Throughout Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature, the Driehaus Museum will partner with Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Morton Arboretum, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum amongst others. The Driehaus will also participate in the Magnificent Mile Association’s Annual Tulip festival. Julie Treumann from the Driehaus shared, “The collaboration happened–no pun intended–quite organically. We realized that between McEwen’s depictions of tulips being one of the central images of the exhibition and the exhibition opening in the spring, around the time of the Mag Mile’s Tulip Festival, it was a natural fit. The Mag Mile was excited to make this work and we have had a fruitful collaboration. We are but a hop, skip, and a jump from the Mile, so we hope the colorful blossoms will accentuate our connection to the Mile and thus to our goal to open our doors wider to Chicagoans and visitors from around the world.” Collaborations such as these will increase the general public’s exposure to McEwen and to the museum. “The tulips will be planted right outside our buildings,” Treuman said. “We hope they will announce to our neighbors that they have something beautiful to look forward to, not just a new Driehaus Museum exhibition, but a sure sign that spring is on the way. And, of course, tulips don’t live forever. We don’t know if they will still be in full flower by the time the exhibition opens in later May, but the accompanying tulip sculpture will endure! More than that, the tulips are a welcoming sign of the season, an enticement to draw people into the Museum, and a sign of our belief in Michigan Avenue’s importance for the City of Chicago.” <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1747072662/xd9d3dinjphhxt4l64nv.jpg">Rory McEwen (1932-1982), Helen Josephine, 1975 © Estate of Rory McEwen The Driehaus Museum will also be partnering with Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music to celebrate McEwen’s art beyond the visual realm. This collaboration highlights the way McEwen’s musical impact reaches back into the past for inspiration while continuing to inspire artists of today, similar to his visual work. These many cross disciplinary experiences expand the breadth of the exhibition to demonstrate how McEwen’s legacy is not only a bridge between time, but places and spaces as well. Like the organic matter in his paintings, his life and this exhibition connect different areas of the city through his contributions.&nbsp; As Joe Gromacki shared, “Chicago is going to be the most exciting and diverse experience of this exhibition.&nbsp;It fills a niche that other venues are&nbsp;not filling.”&nbsp; # <h4>Rory McEwen:&nbsp;A New Perspective on Nature&nbsp;</h4>May 16–August 17, 202550 E. Erie, Chicago, IL 60611<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://driehausmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Driehausmuseum.org</a>

Connected Through Time and Space: Rory McEwan

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038546/bkgsy5bqeqz8ajpkn4vr.jpg"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/2025-art-theory-and-practice-mfa-thesis-exhibition" target="_blank">2025 Art Theory and Practice MFA Thesis Exhibition</a>Opening: Thursday, May 8, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMBlock Museum of Art <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038546/f8gzvzd4idrcrjfpptmt.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/margot-mcmahon-the-ring-of-fire-friends-reefs-and-bouncing-back" target="_blank">Margot McMahon: The Ring of Fire: Friends, Reefs, and Bouncing Back</a>Opening: Friday, May 9, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMEpiphany Center for the Arts <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038548/uzp1jw8bx5eedxpq9ytf.jpg"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/tatiana-jackson-in-the-flow-of-bloom" target="_blank">Tatiana Jackson: In the Flow of Bloom</a>Opening: Friday, May 9, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMChicago Grand Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038548/nv0roaxktcadib0rv1xr.jpg"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/robin-denevan-evocative-encaustic-waterscapes" target="_blank">Robin Denevan. Evocative encaustic waterscapes</a>Opening: Saturday, May 10, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PMAddington Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038549/hnf41u7ip3sjbbcnwweb.png"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/familiar-texture-the-fibers-of-childhood-and-home" target="_blank">Familiar Texture: The Fibers of Childhood and Home</a>May 10John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038550/lnuhpuq7azqnljfpsmow.jpg"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/mark-brautigam-things-seem-strong" target="_blank">Mark Brautigam: Things Seem Strong</a>Opening: Saturday, May 10, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PMOS Projects <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038551/lhem4tcovoyjuwqpxvcm.jpg"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/meijer-gardens-michigan-all-state-bonsai-show" target="_blank">Meijer Gardens Michigan All-State Bonsai Show</a>May 10Frederik Meijer Gardens &amp; Sculpture Park

New Exhibitions: May 9 & 10

Spring is shaping up to be a busy&nbsp;season in Chicago’s art world, with new&nbsp;exhibitions across galleries and museums.&nbsp;Behind the scenes, many people in the community&nbsp;are working tirelessly to support artists and bring&nbsp;fresh perspectives to the public. We spoke&nbsp;with five insiders about what excites them now&nbsp;and what they anticipate next. To receive a copy of the print edition&nbsp;<a style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://835ba3.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">click here.&nbsp;</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038690/xdhbrk2kzztlmuwtfbix.jpg"> <h4>Allan Weinberger –&nbsp;VSG Contemporary</h4> “As <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/vsg-contemporary" target="_blank">VSG Contemporary</a> enters its third year, we’re evolving with a focus on more extensive solo exhibitions and international art fairs—and we couldn’t be more excited. This summer, we’re thrilled to present LALO’s first solo show, opening June 6, with curatorial support from Lefty Out There. Born in Cleveland, now living in LA, LALO’s work is technically brilliant yet very playfully earning him a devoted collector base drawn to both his talent and charisma.&nbsp; We’re also presenting exciting solo shows from Oscar Joyo, Sébastien Johnson, and Fawn Penn. With our rebrand as VSG Contemporary, we remain committed to the charm and humor that have made us a beloved part of the local art scene.”

Anticipating a Season of Art: Five to Talk to – Allan Weinberger

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038738/qlxfidsyu10s3edvrxea.jpg">The Zhou B Art Center By CGN Staff via PR More art fair news was announced recently, and a new fair will take place this fall in Chicago. Pigment International announced that the inaugural <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.pigmentintl.com/pigmentedblackfineartfaire" target="_blank">Pigmented: Black Fine Art Faire</a> will take place October 31 – November 2, 2025, at the Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th Street in Bridgeport on Chicago's South Side. The four-day exhibition is being hailed as a cultural cornerstone that will anchor October's Black Fine Art Month (BFAM). The fair will feature national and international art programming, dynamic panels, youth showcase, and creative commerce, all designed to elevate Black artistry and ownership. Pigmented is still seeking and accepting applications for a limited number of gallery exhibition spaces. Faie Fine Art of Bronzeville was confirmed as the first exhibitor. Gallery registration is open through July 1, 2025. Designed by architect, artist, and designer Sharon Samuels, the fair will blend architectural elegance with visual storytelling, including: <ul><li>Artist Alley, a curated showcase of 10 independent artists</li><li>The DREAM Student Exhibition, highlighting emerging talent</li><li>Pigmented Store, offering limited-edition merchandise</li><li>Commemorative programming for the 80th Anniversary of the American Negro Exposition</li><li>A visual history of Chicago’s Black-owned galleries</li></ul> Renowned media personality Dometi Pongo will serve as host for the event’s public programs and conversations. Pigmented is honored to collaborate with a growing network of visionary partners and cultural institutions, including: Art Money, Blessman Family Foundation, BUFI, Chicago State University, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Diasporal Rhythms, DuSable Museum, Faie Fine Art, Flourish Foundation, GangGang Culture, ILA Creative, South Side Community Art Center, Vicki and Bruce Heyman, and 100 Black Men of Chicago. "This fair is more than an exhibition—it's a declaration of legacy, community, and cultural sovereignty," said Patricia Andrews-Keenan, Pigment International. "We invite patrons, benefactors, sponsors, and supporters to join us in making history." About Pigment International: Pigment International is a Black woman-led creative collective and media platform dedicated to amplifying Black contemporary art and culture. Through storytelling, exhibitions, and strategic collaborations, Pigment celebrates the artists and institutions shaping our visual legacy. More details will be shared <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.pigmentintl.com/pigmentedblackfineartfaire" target="_blank">here</a>. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038739/eov34gt7lvvbttti1sct.png">

Pigmented: Black Fine Art Faire to take Place at Zhou B Center in October 2025

<h4><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038141/fvl4lhqio3vd1mijqkbe.jpg"></h4>Credit:&nbsp;Andrew Miller<h4> </h4><h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/it-hits-market/condo-former-montgomery-ward-headquarters-sale" target="_blank">Gallery owners turn raw space in the former Montgomery Ward building into an artful condo</a></h4> Paul and Dedrea Gray bought a blank canvas in 2006, raw space near the top of the former Montgomery Ward headquarters on Superior Street, and turned it into a three-bedroom condo with an artful style. Glass walls lit from within enclose the dining room, where a king-sized dandelion light fixture hangs overhead. The kitchen's cooking station is clad in a dramatic ebony mahogany, paired with stainless steel cabinetry and a stone island in a theatrical vignette, a clean look with all small appliances and cooking doodads out of sight. And the primary suite's bathtub sits in a platform of ipe wood, like a little boat at dock. Via Crain's Chicago <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/arts/design/rondeau-chicago-art-museum-director-investigation.html" target="_blank">Chicago Museum Director Under Investigation After Airplane Incident</a></h4> James Rondeau, the president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago, has taken a voluntary leave from the museum after an incident on board a flight to Germany last month. During the incident, which occurred on April 18 and was first&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(50, 104, 145);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/art-institute-president-on-leave-germany-flight-incident/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;by CBS News, police were called to United Airlines flight 953 after it landed in Munich from Chicago, following reports that Rondeau had stripped off his clothes. CBS reported that the incident occurred after he drank alcohol and took prescription medication. Via New York Times <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.artforum.com/news/neh-redirects-funding-canceled-grants-trump-garden-heroes-1234729983/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=exacttarget&amp;utm_campaign=Dispatch+-+Friday+May+2+2025&amp;utm_content=604204_5-2-2025&amp;utm_id=604204" target="_blank">NEH Redirects Funding from Canceled Grants to Trump’s “Garden of American Heroes”</a></h4> The&nbsp;<a style="color: currentcolor; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.artforum.com/t/national-endowment-for-the-humanities/" target="_blank">National Endowment for the Humanities</a>&nbsp;on April 24 announced a&nbsp;<a style="color: currentcolor; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.neh.gov/news/neh-announces-grant-opportunity-create-statues-iconic-americans-national-garden-american?utm_medium=email" target="_blank">new grant program</a>&nbsp;supporting the design and creation of works for the National Garden of American Heroes sculpture park that President Donald Trump has ordered to be established in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence. Announced by Trump in 2020, during his first presidency, the garden will feature life-size statues of “250 great individuals from America’s past who have contributed to our cultural, scientific, economic, and political heritage,” according to the NEH.&nbsp; Via Artforum

What We're Reading: 5/5/25

CGN adds to its calendar of art events 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 - from a tiny art fair to the summer start of Randolph Street Market to a big wave out in the suburbs... Events happen throughout the city as well as in the suburbs and within a day's drive. Whether you have an hour after work or you are looking for a weekend road trip, take a look and do a little planning in order to take a step into the world of art. Everyone is welcome! Highlights are organized by event type. Dates vary and are subject to change. –&nbsp;GinnyCGN Publisher <h3>• Auctions</h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037447/f0ljnqx9xqbn7oo8ua73.jpg"><h4> </h4><h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/prints-and-multiples" target="_blank">Prints and Multiples</a></h4> Wednesday, May 7<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/freemans-hindman" target="_blank">Freeman's | Hindman</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037448/z272ddf4prr9c2vbeec4.png"> <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/20-21-art-the-chicago-edition25" target="_blank">20 | 21 Art: The Chicago Edition</a></h4> Wednesday, May 28<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/wright" target="_blank">Wright</a> <h3>• Exhibitions</h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037449/mshswnsbdmrw6nw3h7ek.jpg"> <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/herminio-rodrguez-osamenta" target="_blank">Herminio Rodríguez: Osamenta</a></h4>May 2 - Jun 1; Opening: Friday, May 2, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/oliva-gallery" target="_blank">Oliva Gallery</a> Osamenta, a powerful photographic exhibition by Herminio Rodríguez, explores the landscapes of decay and resilience across Puerto Rico. Rodríguez’s work captures a profound narrative of socioeconomic hardship, offering audiences a deep look into the often-overlooked aftermath of economic recession, governmental debt, and natural disasters on the island. In Osamenta, Rodríguez shares the results of a six-year journey through Puerto Rico’s seventy-eight municipalities and its islands, Vieques and Culebra. <h4> </h4><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037449/ck6wydiwqscyxhivy7nc.jpg"> <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/paul-pfeiffer-prologue-to-the-story-of-the-birth-of-freedom" target="_blank">Paul Pfeiffer: Prologue to the Story of the Birth of Freedom</a></h4> May 3 - Aug 31<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/museum-of-contemporary-art-chicago-mca" target="_blank">Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA)</a> Prologue to the Story of the Birth of Freedom&nbsp;is a survey that covers twenty-five years of work from artist Paul Pfeiffer (b. 1966, Honolulu, HI; lives in New York), whose practice interrogates ideas of spectacle, celebrity, and mass culture. The exhibition brings together works from across Pfeiffer’s career, spanning from his early photo and video works to his latest experiments in sculpture and installation.&nbsp;Prologue to the Story of the Birth of Freedom&nbsp;focuses on the artist’s use of media manipulation to reveal audiences’ participation in both adoration and objectification. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037450/selyavtmezk7ptp2dkcw.jpg"> <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/tactile-terrain" target="_blank">Tactile Terrain</a></h4> May 12 - Jun 29; Opening: Friday, May 16, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/jackson-junge-gallery" target="_blank">Jackson Junge Gallery</a> Jackson Junge Gallery&nbsp;is pleased to present their second group exhibition of the year,&nbsp;TACTILE TERRAIN, featuring the artwork of thirty-two artists. The exhibition celebrates techniques passed down by artists and craftspeople for generations, with handcrafted work made from fiber, textiles, weaving, woodwork, pottery, ceramics and more. TACTILE TERRAIN&nbsp;brings together artists whose work draws directly from the earth, composed of natural elements and inspired by organic textures and forms.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037451/mjxw5pr3awbq1j8fwsuy.jpg"> <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/rory-mcewen-a-new-perspective-on-nature" target="_blank">Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature</a></h4> May 16 - Aug 17<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/the-driehaus-museum" target="_blank">The Driehaus Museum</a> Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature, an exhibition exploring the trailblazing career and legacy of Scottish artist Rory McEwen, whose work is considered one of the major turning points in the development of contemporary botanical art. Presenting over one hundred works, including sculpture and manuscripts, the exhibition reveals how McEwen forged his own personal interpretation of 20th century modernism, portraying flowers, leaves, and vegetables as individual subjects worthy of their own portraits. Establishing McEwen’s role in shaping new generations of artists, the exhibition also features the work of contemporary botanical artists who&nbsp;continue to&nbsp;shape&nbsp;McEwen’s&nbsp;artistic&nbsp;legacy today.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037452/jyuq9zgfcaqrvk4weqwh.jpg"> <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/catalyst-immigration-and-self-taught-art-in-chicago" target="_blank">Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-taught Art in Chicago</a></h4> May 23, 2025 - Jan 11, 2026<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/intuit-art-museum" target="_blank">Intuit Art Museum</a> Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-taught Art in Chicago,&nbsp;the first exhibition to open in Intuit’s newly-renovated museum, is part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities.&nbsp; Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-taught Art in Chicago&nbsp;is the first major exhibition to focus on the importance of immigration and migration in the genre of self-taught art. The exhibition underscores the creative contributions of migrants and immigrants,&nbsp;broadening the scope to include artists deserving of greater attention, while posing questions about access to the art world and how art comes to be defined and valued.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037452/ilqraspy76rb3girnskm.jpg"> <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/hokusai-and-ukiyo-e-the-floating-world-artworks-from-the-chiossone-collection" target="_blank">Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection</a></h4> May 31 - Sep 21<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/the-cleve-carney-museum-of-art-ccma" target="_blank">The Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA)</a> The exhibition will feature a collection of 53 works of art and 13 artifacts that has never been seen before in the U.S. More than a museum show, this arts center experience will immerse guests in Japanese Edo culture through several interactive exhibits, from a peaceful outdoor Japanese garden to an anime exhibit.&nbsp; Hokusai is widely recognized as one of Japan's greatest artists, as he was instrumental in developing the genre of ukiyo-e and modernized traditional print styles. Widely considered as one of the most recognizable images in the world, the exhibition will feature Hokusai's iconic masterpiece, The Great Wave off Kanagawa. In addition, visitors will have the rare opportunity to view nine original works by the legendary artist. There will also be 17 works by Hiroshige and works by 15 of their contemporaries.&nbsp; <h3>• Art Fairs, Special Events</h3> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037453/hkcol961hsw4h2pvpcjj.png">Western Exhibitions at the Barely Fair: Elijah Burgher, Edie Fake, Dutes Miller, Miller &amp; Shellabarger, Ruby T <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/barley-fair-2025" target="_blank">Barely Fair 2025</a></h4> Thru May 11 BARELY FAIR 2025 is the 5th edition of this tiny fair. 24 exhibitors join in a return to the white cube origin.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037454/enk9dwb3u2w70s50gu3q.jpg"> <h4><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/randolph-street-market-festival-may25" target="_blank">Randolph Street Market Festival</a></h4> May 24 &amp; 25 Randolph Street Market Fest presents Summer 2025 GARDEN PARTY Kick-Off on Memorial Day weekend in the West Loop. 200 Indoor/Outdoor Sellers! Find the best vintage, antique &amp; repurposed furniture, art, decor, ephemera, vintage fashion AND global goods. CONTINUOUS Live Music &amp; DJ’s! Fun Food &amp; Libations! <h5> </h5> # <h5><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events" target="_blank">View the full CGN Calendar here</a></h5>

Highlights of art in Chicago for May 2025

CGN Art Preview: May 2025

Via PR Celebrating Polaroid’s outsized impact on art and visual culture—and its historic encouragement of artistic experimentation—Rago, Wright, and LAMA will offer works from the institutional collection of the legendary camera maker, including a New York exhibition, major single-owner auction event, and curated thematic offerings.&nbsp; <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wright20.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50e5c1be866e9aaa28cfec1db&amp;id=46910bb4be&amp;e=7eb8b4f0ec" target="_blank"><img width="564" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037350/tzyibt9o4pmmbtzswyd4.jpg"></a> Rago, Wright, and LAMA are proud to bring works from The Polaroid Collection to auction, recognizing the historic legacy of one of the most recognized names in the photographic discipline. This significant initiative will launch with a New York exhibition and the landmark May 29th auction&nbsp;Photographs from the Polaroid Collection, followed by further curated offerings to be announced. Highlights of the inaugural auction include works from David Hockney, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Sarah Moon, Richard Hamilton, Dawoud Bey, William Wegman, and Harold Edgerton, and are currently on view at Rago/Wright’s New York gallery through May 9th. &nbsp;<img width="564" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037351/v27bdebucghqrjigbdjp.jpg">David Hockney,&nbsp;Interior, Pembroke Studios London Beloved by popular audiences and embraced by a wide swath of artists, Polaroid technology revolutionized photography and was “the Apple of its day,” according to&nbsp;Smithsonian Magazine. Beginning in the 1940s, Polaroid inventor and founder Edwin Land invited notable artists to test the company's cameras and films by creating new works—directly supporting artistic experimentation and weaving artists into the evolution of photographic technology. Many of the works that resulted from this mutually beneficial arrangement became part of the Polaroid Collection. In 1949, Land invited Ansel Adams to help oversee the collection and Adams would remain involved for more than three decades.&nbsp; <img width="564" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037352/pcoz5dup2g0ulyzo6cb1.jpg">Ellen Carey,&nbsp;Pulls (CMY) Among the celebrated artists who collaborated with Polaroid and contributed to this collection were David Hockney, Robert Mapplethorpe, Chuck Close, Robert Rauschenberg, William Wegman, Marina Abramovic and Ulay, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, John Divola, Philippe Halsman, Ellen Carey, and many more. Highlights of Photographs from the Polaroid Collection include Hockney’s Polaroid Polacolor print&nbsp;Interior, Pembroke Studios, London&nbsp;(est. $40,000–60,000), Timothy Greenfield-Sanders 1990 Polaroid Polacolor portrait&nbsp;Jeff Koons&nbsp;(est. $15,000–20,000), Marina Abramovic and Ulay’s 1985&nbsp;Polaroid still: Modus viviendi&nbsp;(est. $20,000–30,000), and Sarah Moon’s 1997 pigment print (shot with Polaroid Type 669 Polacolor film)&nbsp;Stockings&nbsp;(est. $12,000–18,000), as well as works from Chuck Close, Lorna Simpson, Dawoud Bey, Robert Rauschenberg, and more. Many of these works are currently on view at Rago/Wright’s New York gallery, organized to coincide with the prestigious AIPAD Photography Show. <img width="564" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037353/jcxfm5opbdrvw97i9tnt.jpg">Dawoud Bey,&nbsp;Parris, Walida, and Mike: Phillips Academy students, Boston, MA&nbsp; Looking ahead, future offerings from The Polaroid Collection will delve into thematic groupings, including a focus on the work of Polaroid Collection steward Ansel Adams and a presentation of works from pioneering women photographers such as Barbara Kasten, Lorna Simpson, Sheila Metzner, and Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons. Further curated selections will feature the experimental works of Doc Harold Edgerton, as well as an exploration of Los Angeles's influential role in the evolution of photography through the works of artists like John Divola and Robert Cumming.“The Polaroid Collection is truly remarkable for its breadth and scope,” says Meredith Hilferty, Rago/Wright Senior Specialist of Fine Art. “We are honored to present these works, which invite an exciting opportunity to reflect on the tandem evolutions of photographic technology, fine art, and visual culture.”&nbsp; Selections from the Polariod Collection&nbsp;will be exhibited at Rago/Wright’s New York gallery at 501 West 20th St from April 22nd to May 9th.&nbsp;Photographs from the Polaroid Collection&nbsp;is a live auction in Lambertville, New Jersey, beginning at 11 am eastern on Thursday, May 29th. The auction accommodates advanced bids, telephone bidding, and in person and live online bidding. For further information, please reach out to&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(32, 32, 32);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:press@wright20.com?subject=Press%20Inquiry%3A%20The%20Polaroid%20Collection" target="_blank">press@wright20.com</a> View Wright's Chicago auction house <a style="color: rgb(32, 32, 32);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/organizations/wright" target="_blank">details here</a> #

Rago, Wright, and LAMA to Offer The Polaroid Collection at Auction 

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748038120/gi2vlipmbwyi99lzmdfr.jpg">Ed Ruscha, 2025 Art Auction Honoree. Photo: Greg Gorman. Via PR MCA Chicago and Sotheby’s to host Art Auction benefit honoring Ed Ruscha on June 6, 2025&nbsp; CHICAGO—The Museum of Contemporary Art and Sotheby’s are excited to announce&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mcachicago.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c24ba7c5a91cefd699dc985e1&amp;id=9dd8f43347&amp;e=95b957c616" target="_blank">the Art Auction 2025</a>, Chicago’s premier event celebrating art and artists, on June 6, 2025. This year, the auction boasts a selection of works from some of the most significant contemporary artists of our time, including Yoko Ono, Sarah Sze, Gary Simmons, Rashid Johnson, Nicole Eisenman, and Paul Pfeiffer. In addition to staging a live auction of more than 100 works of art, the 2025 Art Auction honors visionary artist Ed Ruscha for his lifetime of contributions to the art world. 2025 Honoree One of the most significant and inventive artists of our time,&nbsp;Ed Ruscha&nbsp;has built an extraordinary six-decade career that is as difficult to categorize as it is to contain. Featuring vernacular imagery that draws on popular media, language, and everyday matters of life, Ruscha’s body of work—which spans painting, drawing, photography, books, and film—reveals an artist whose influence exceeds any one genre or movement. Indeed, he is among that rare group of artists whose impact is felt at the level of art history and US visual culture more broadly. Bidding for the&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mcachicago.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c24ba7c5a91cefd699dc985e1&amp;id=e781c3ba3d&amp;e=95b957c616" target="_blank">auction will officially open online</a>&nbsp;on May 19, 2025, with the in-person auction following at the MCA on June 6. All auction works will be on view in the second-floor&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mcachicago.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c24ba7c5a91cefd699dc985e1&amp;id=ce236e05b0&amp;e=95b957c616" target="_blank">Sylvia Neil and Daniel Fischel Galleries</a>&nbsp;on May 30 through June 6, 2025. The evening will begin at 6:30 pm with a cocktail reception, a viewing of available works, and a silent auction, followed by a seated dinner and a live auction led by Phyllis Kao, Vice President, Sotheby’s New York. Guests also have the option of bidding by phone. Proceeds from the auction support the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and its vision of championing revelatory art for all through exhibitions, educational programs, and live art events. The 2025 Art Auction will also honor Ed Ruscha and celebrate the MCA’s long history with the artist. The MCA holds numerous works by Ruscha in its permanent collection and has had the pleasure of witnessing Ruscha’s rise starting in 1988 with&nbsp;Ed Ruscha: Recent Paintings. This celebration of the artist coincides with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the major exhibition Ed Ruscha in 2000, which cemented his status as an important international figure in contemporary art. During his six-decade career, Ruscha has created work spanning painting, drawing, photography, books, and film, in a practice whose influence exceeds any one genre or movement. The MCA is deeply grateful that he is among the generous and storied artists who enliven our institution with their work for this auction. In 1968, the MCA’s first Art Auction was founded by a group of trustees to raise funds for the museum. The 2025 Art Auction is cochaired by board trustees Anita Blanchard, Ilan Shalit, and Joyce Yaung. Those wishing to attend can find&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mcachicago.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c24ba7c5a91cefd699dc985e1&amp;id=2fbe5f8a65&amp;e=95b957c616" target="_blank">more information online</a>, including table reservation and tier details. The event features cocktails and a preview of the art, followed by a seated dinner and live auction. Register to bid online with Sotheby’s at&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2025/museum-of-contemporary-art-chicago-2025-art-auction-hosted-by-sothebys" target="_blank">sothebys.com/mcaauction</a>. For more information about this event, please contact Morgan Turner, Fundraising Events Assistant, at&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:MTurner@mcachicago.org" target="_blank">MTurner@mcachicago.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="tel:+13123973862" target="_blank">312-397-3862</a>. <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://visit.mcachicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mca_artauction2025_digitalcatalog_20250425.pdf" target="_blank">View the 2025 Art Auction Digital Catalogue.</a>

MCA Chicago and Sotheby’s Honor Ed Ruscha at June 6 Benefit Auction 

<h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037473/hxr1srtdo0ysslwm6quz.jpg"></h3><h3> </h3><h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/2025-wisconsin-triennial" target="_blank">2025 Wisconsin Triennial</a></h3> May 2 - Sep 14Opening: Friday, May 2, 2025 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMMadison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) The Wisconsin Triennial is a cornerstone of MMoCA’s exhibition calendar. Every three years the exhibition charts the latest art being made across the state, capturing the richness and variety of artistic expression in Wisconsin. The final selection of 24 artists from across the state represents a wide range of artistic approaches and subjects. From painting to performance and figurative to formal abstraction, the exhibition reflects the rich diversity of Wisconsin’s visual arts scene. <h1><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037474/sh8czoniqg8k6atpsh7k.jpg"></h1><h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/65-years-spring-benefit" target="_blank">65 Years | Spring Benefit</a></h3>Friday, May 2The Art Center Highland Park<h3> </h3>Join TACHP for interactive evening of art, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a curated silent auction to benefit the galleries, art classes, scholarships, and community-building events produced all year by TAC. Celebrity host Peter Sagal of NPR's Wait, Wait...Don't tell me! will be there as well as DJ Tess. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037474/wqcq8ch3herrr0k75qku.jpg"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/art-in-wilder-park-2025" target="_blank">Art in Wilder Park 2025</a></h3>May 3 and May 4Elmhurst Art Museum This free festival features over 130 exhibitors including one-of-a-kind art, entertainment, food, and family activities.Art in Wilder Park features a preview of&nbsp;CROSSINGS,&nbsp;a solo exhibition of sculptures by acclaimed Chicago artist Bernard Williams exploring history of Black achievements in transportation and agriculture. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037475/i40qfbrnfjo6so2tms7b.png"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/closing-reception-for-damon-locks-exhibition" target="_blank">Closing Reception for Damon Locks' Exhibition</a></h3>Saturday, May 3, 1 – 2:00 PMGoldfinch Join the gallery for a conversation between Artists Damon Locks and Andres L.&nbsp;Hernandez. A&nbsp;Closing Reception&nbsp;for Damon Locks' Exhibition "We Are Our People / Listen To This" will follow until 4pmAndres L. Hernandez&nbsp;is a conceptual artist and educator who explores models for imagining and existing otherwise. Inspired by the cultural, knowledge, and spatial production of African-descent peoples, his practice encompasses collaborative, socially-engaged, and independent artmaking.⁠⁠ Damon Locks&nbsp;is a Chicago-based visual artist, educator, vocalist/musician.&nbsp;Since 2014 he has been working with the Prisons and Neighborhood Arts Project at Stateville Correctional Center teaching art. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037476/ldtxiqs2iosbrcbhbypq.jpg"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/artist-talk-raissa-bailey" target="_blank">Artist Talk: Raissa Bailey</a></h3>Saturday, May 3, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PMARC Gallery Raissa Bailey’s solo show, “Venus Rising, Axiom Schema,” delves into the concepts of consciousness and evolution. This innovative showcase blends installation and mixed media art, inviting viewers to explore connections between prehistoric and modern modes of creation. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037476/sflejkuzp8gkfmx6gtaq.png"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/the-ai-controversy" target="_blank">The AI Controversy</a></h3>Saturday, May 3, 7PMThe Grove Gallery Join Grove Gallery in Evanston for a lively discussion on&nbsp;Artificial Intelligence&nbsp;at 'The AI Controversy' event. Dive into the&nbsp;debates&nbsp;surrounding AI and its impact on society. Hear from Professor Luis Amaral and Artist James Deeb who will shed light on the&nbsp;controversies&nbsp;and ethical dilemmas that arise with the advancement of AI technology.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037477/jnp2jetimxuosmbb05mn.jpg"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/dorota-gawda-egl-kulbokait" target="_blank">Dorota Gawęda &amp; Eglė Kulbokaitė</a></h3>May 3 &amp; May 4The Renaissance Society In their performance&nbsp;-lalia, Dorota Gawęda and Eglė Kulbokaitė conjure a legendary figure from Slavic folklore, the demonic&nbsp;Południca. Posing a metaphor for contemporary anxieties related to ecological and social unease, this work is a dynamic hybrid combination of physical presence, text, and video.&nbsp; <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" target="_blank">View the full CGN Calendar here</a></h3>

Special Events and Talks, May 2–4

<h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037277/avjbyrsequtzqcaedufs.jpg"></h3> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/tony-tasset-blow-winds-and-crack-your-cheeks" target="_blank">Tony Tasset: Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!</a></h3><h3> </h3>May 2 – Jun 7Opening: Friday, May 2, 2025 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMCorbett vs. Dempsey<h3> </h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037277/diqapa5y7jwc1h5td3ob.jpg"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/herminio-rodrguez-osamenta" target="_blank">Herminio Rodríguez: Osamenta</a></h3>May 2 - Jun 1Opening: Friday, May 2, 2025 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMOliva Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037278/tg7moitofjbbqximegwa.jpg"><h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/steve-seeley-right-back-at-it-again" target="_blank">Steve Seeley: Right Back At It Again</a></h3>May 2 - May 31Opening: Friday, May 2, 2025 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMVertical Gallery <h3><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037279/nknst5p69vhmxjubu3yr.jpg"></h3> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/the-first-homosexuals-the-birth-of-a-new-identity-1869-1939" target="_blank">The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity, 1869-1939</a></h3>May 2–Jul 26Wrightwood 659 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037280/tyfiy6aijtkn1rirc3jl.jpg"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/gallery-victor-presents-our-time" target="_blank">Gallery VICTOR Presents: Our Time</a></h3>May 2 - Jun 14The Art Center Highland Park <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037280/kaqd0mgdsohsdbqw0onw.jpg"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/awash-paintings-by-joanna-pinsky" target="_blank">AWASH: Paintings by Joanna Pinsky</a></h3>May 2 - May 31Opening: Friday, May 2, 2025 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMSpace 900 Gallery <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037281/eepn1r2p2guxdcypkiyy.jpg"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/when-i-see-when-i-hear-i-draw-musical-muses-and-others" target="_blank">When I See, When I Hear, I Draw… Musical Muses and Others</a></h3>May 2 - May 31Opening: Friday, May 2, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMAugust House Studio <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1748037282/lunfqtm4ml7hqkm2b9f6.jpg"> <h3><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/paul-pfeiffer-prologue-to-the-story-of-the-birth-of-freedom" target="_blank">Paul Pfeiffer: Prologue to the Story of the Birth of Freedom</a></h3>May 3 - Aug 31Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA)<h3> </h3><h3> </h3><h3>View the full CGN calendar <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events?filter=upcoming&amp;page=1" target="_blank">here</a></h3>

New Exhibitions: May 2 & 3

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1746114780/pdobu5h4tdze6cke0ral.jpg">Ari Emanuel. Photo: Paul Smith/Endeavor. Courtesy Frieze By CGN Staff Today, four days after Frieze-owned <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.expochicago.com/" target="_blank">EXPO CHICAGO</a> wrapped up its latest fair, news broke that Ari Emanuel–the 64 year-old brother of Chicago's former Mayor Rahm Emanuel–is setting up a new, unnamed company to purchase Frieze. Endeavor, the company that has owned Frieze, said Thursday said that it had agreed to sell Frieze to a new events and experiences company founded by Emanuel and backed by a group of investors. Ari Emanuel shared in a statement, “Frieze has always been a source of inspiration for me — both professionally and personally,” Emanuel, who currently holds the title of executive chairman at WME Group, said in a statement. “Having worked with the team for nearly a decade, I’ve seen firsthand the strength of their community and the ambition driving their mission to expand the reach and understanding of contemporary art.” EXPO CHICAGO just ended its four day run this past Sunday, and Frieze's flagship event, Frieze New York, returns to The Shed next week on May 7. A spokesperson said that changes to the company’s structure will not impact Frieze's leadership team and Simon Fox will remain chief executive. The deal also includes Frieze’s magazine and its seven international fairs, including EXPO Chicago, the Armory Show in New York, Frieze Los Angeles and Frieze Seoul. As noted in the New York Times, "Given the downturn in the art market,&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(50, 104, 145);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/arts/design/art-basel-ubs-art-market-report.html" target="_blank">which has experienced a 12 percent year-on-year decline</a>&nbsp;in global sales,&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(50, 104, 145);" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/01/07/the-road-to-the-sale-of-frieze-is-a-winding-one" target="_blank">some industry experts had worried</a>&nbsp;that Frieze’s sale to an outside buyer could have disastrous implications for the business. Some gallerists are now breathing a sigh of relief, knowing that Emanuel has a long history with Frieze; his company first purchased a stake in Frieze nine years ago before gaining full ownership in 2023."

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