Vibrance is an exhibition illuminated by movement, identity, and the electric pulse of human connection. Featuring four Chicago based artists, photography, paintings, and neon glass sculptures transform the gallery into a living atmosphere, one saturated with color, rhythm, intimacy, and unapologetic presence. Presented during Pride Month, Vibrance serves as both celebration and declaration: an affirmation of life, visibility, and the triumphs continually forged through collective resilience and self-expression. Spencer Gale constructs abstract neon sculptures that bend light into emotional architecture. His luminous and organic forms activate the surrounding environment, dissolving the boundary between object and observer.&nbsp;Photographer Francisco Malave turns his lens toward the nightlife culture. Navigating the dim corners of clubs and gay bars, Malave captures fleeting moments often hidden from public memory. His photographs reveal beauty within spaces society deems to remain unseen, preserving the spirit of nightlife not as spectacle, but as sanctuary. Painter Devon James approaches the human form as both landscape and language. Through fluorescent palettes, layered patterns, and intertwined humanoid figures, the work explores intimacy, coexistence, and the beauty found within human connection. Bodies merge and interlock within surreal compositions, suggesting the fragile yet powerful ways individuals influence and shape one another. Interdisciplinary artist Connor Young, presents paintings from his ongoing series, Killer Queen, a response to the right wing’s legislative attacks on Drag performers, queer spaces and forms of expression. In response to this, Young leans into the stereotypes that conservatives project onto Drag performers, depicting drag queens and queer icons in bright, saturated colors, with exaggerated, and often humorous poses and features.&nbsp; Together, these artists construct a bright dialogue centered on visibility, liberation, and communal energy. Vibrance explores the conditions that allow individuals to express themselves most freely, while honoring the cultural spaces, histories, and creative communities that make such expression possible. Rooted within the spirit of Chicago, the exhibition invites viewers into a world where light becomes language, color becomes emotion, and difference becomes connection.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Vibrance

Forum 301, in collaboration with Complement Consulting Group, a nationally recognized education agency, is proud to highlight a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary forums and interactive programming. The partnership with Complement Consulting Group strengthens our mission by aligning the arts with educational innovation and leadership development, ensuring that the programming we deliver not only inspires but also equips participants with practical insights and strategies. Through exhibitions, forums, workshops, and collaborative projects, Forum 301 seeks to cultivate an inclusive cultural ecosystem that connects local voices with national and international perspectives, positioning Chicago as a hub for artistic exchange, critical dialogue, and transformative learning.

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Estamos Aquí is a cultural exhibition centered on contemporary creative voices of Mexican art and identity. Featuring participating artists from Oaxaca and Merida, Mexico, and Chicago, the exhibition creates a dialogue between regional heritage, contemporary practice, and cultural preservation. Through painting, photography, mixed media, installation, and conversation, the exhibition explores how culture informs artistic process and how artists carry tradition into contemporary society. Estamos Aquí is both a celebration and a statement of presence, highlighting the influence, resilience, and cultural contributions of Mexican communities within both local and international creative spaces. At a time when division and political rhetoric continue to shape conversations surrounding identity and immigration, the exhibition aims to create a space centered on reconnection, understanding, and cultural appreciation. The exhibition invites audiences to engage directly with artists whose work reflects lived experience, tradition, and evolving cultural narratives. The exhibition positions Forum 301 as a platform for cross-cultural engagement and artist-centered programming while continuing to expand conversations surrounding identity, heritage, and contemporary art practices. 5:00 PM – Exhibition Opening &amp; Guest Arrival6:00 PM – Panel Discussion7:00 PM – Audience Q&amp;A / Community Conversation7:30 PM – Closing Viewing &amp; Networking

Estamos Aquí Exhibit / Panel Discussion

Chicago Sculpture International Group Juried Show for CSI Artists Closing Reception Friday, June 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM The theme for this exhibition is open ended in scope and allows for many possibilities. Many kinds of art may&nbsp;fit into this broad category. "Not normal"&nbsp;refers to anything that goes against established norms, represents an unexpected change, or deviates from accepted collective reality. For the purposes of the exhibition, depictions of ‘not normal’ are those that depart from standard norms. For example, Dada and Surrealism depict fantastical, odd, or distorted realities that differ from our collective everyday experience. "Not normal" can also refer to atypical or unusual occurrences—a flamboyantly dressed person or someone dressed as a superhero on a commuter train full of people in business attire, or events that interrupt daily life, such as a train derailment or hacked cellphone service. In politics, a government perceived as failing to protect its citizens is not normal. Likewise, a government that threatens to invade an otherwise allied nation is also not normal. What is considered normal in one society may not be recognized as normal in another. Norms include societal rules of established behavior; ways of being and expression; political, racial, social, gender, psychological, and physical norms; as well as conventions of etiquette. Beyond social norms, there are technological and global anomalies, climate anomalies (such as red rain or boiling lakes), biological abnormalities, and other bizarre natural or physical phenomena, including UAP sightings. In physics, a particle can also exist as a wave, further challenging our sense of reality. Physical or cognitive disabilities may also be perceived as atypical, depending on societal expectations - a sensory crossover where a person might ‘feel’ sounds in specific parts of their body or see colors while playing music—is not normal. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can involve hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not present.&nbsp;What is considered normal changes as society changes. Historical shifts over the past 80 years illustrate this: previous generations considered it normal for eight-year-olds to care for younger siblings for months without adult oversight. Smoking on airplanes was common in the late 20th century, but is now strictly prohibited. Homosexuality, once considered a disorder, and tattoos, jogging, and single parenthood—once deviant—are now common. Yet even today, some of these societal changes face sustained efforts by certain groups to challenge or reverse them—and that, too, is not normal. Featured Artists: Jonathan Antos • Ruby Barnes • Sharon Bladholm • Donna Bliss • Margie Criner • Gary Cudworth • Jason Ferguson • Gertah • Bert Gilbert • Jill King • John Kurman • Erin LaRocque • Gina Lee Robbins • Micki LeMieux • Seanice Lenay • Ellen Lustig • Russ Marr • Bobbi Meier • Jerry Monteith • Scott Mossman • Thomas Plum • Howard Russo • Dominic Sansone • Samuel Schwindt • Simone Scigousky • Marvin Shafer • Eleanor Spiess-Ferris • Rich Stewart • Yi Sun • Sishi Wang • Bruce Webber • Connor Young Juried and curated by Victoria Fuller and Spencer Gale. For questions and more information: info@chicagosculpture.org

Closing Reception for Not Normal

Chicago Sculpture International Group Juried Show for CSI Artists Opening Reception Friday, May 1, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Closing Reception Friday, June 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM The theme for this exhibition is open ended in scope and allows for many possibilities. Many kinds of art may&nbsp;fit into this broad category. "Not normal"&nbsp;refers to anything that goes against established norms, represents an unexpected change, or deviates from accepted collective reality. For the purposes of the exhibition, depictions of ‘not normal’ are those that depart from standard norms. For example, Dada and Surrealism depict fantastical, odd, or distorted realities that differ from our collective everyday experience. "Not normal" can also refer to atypical or unusual occurrences—a flamboyantly dressed person or someone dressed as a superhero on a commuter train full of people in business attire, or events that interrupt daily life, such as a train derailment or hacked cellphone service. In politics, a government perceived as failing to protect its citizens is not normal. Likewise, a government that threatens to invade an otherwise allied nation is also not normal. What is considered normal in one society may not be recognized as normal in another. Norms include societal rules of established behavior; ways of being and expression; political, racial, social, gender, psychological, and physical norms; as well as conventions of etiquette. Beyond social norms, there are technological and global anomalies, climate anomalies (such as red rain or boiling lakes), biological abnormalities, and other bizarre natural or physical phenomena, including UAP sightings. In physics, a particle can also exist as a wave, further challenging our sense of reality. Physical or cognitive disabilities may also be perceived as atypical, depending on societal expectations - a sensory crossover where a person might ‘feel’ sounds in specific parts of their body or see colors while playing music—is not normal. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can involve hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not present.&nbsp;What is considered normal changes as society changes. Historical shifts over the past 80 years illustrate this: previous generations considered it normal for eight-year-olds to care for younger siblings for months without adult oversight. Smoking on airplanes was common in the late 20th century, but is now strictly prohibited. Homosexuality, once considered a disorder, and tattoos, jogging, and single parenthood—once deviant—are now common. Yet even today, some of these societal changes face sustained efforts by certain groups to challenge or reverse them—and that, too, is not normal. Featured Artists: Jonathan Antos • Ruby Barnes • Sharon Bladholm • Donna Bliss • Margie Criner • Gary Cudworth • Jason Ferguson • Gertah • Bert Gilbert • Jill King • John Kurman • Erin LaRocque • Gina Lee Robbins • Micki LeMieux • Seanice Lenay • Ellen Lustig • Russ Marr • Bobbi Meier • Jerry Monteith • Scott Mossman • Thomas Plum • Howard Russo • Dominic Sansone • Samuel Schwindt • Simone Scigousky • Marvin Shafer • Eleanor Spiess-Ferris • Rich Stewart • Yi Sun • Sishi Wang • Bruce Webber • Connor Young Juried and curated by Victoria Fuller and Spencer Gale. For questions and more information: info@chicagosculpture.org

Not Normal: Challenging Societal Norms Exhibit

Conditions of Encounter includes three artists exploring the notions of environment and atmosphere. Hillary Irene Johnson, Daniel Miller, and Tuan Jones question how we affect, document, and inhabit spaces. Bringing together interdisciplinary practices, the exhibition reveals what typically goes unseen, inviting an awareness of presence within the space. Through camera-less photography, interactive sculptures, and paintings, the works explore perception and its relation to the subtle exchanges of encounter.Hillary Irene Johnson presents two interconnected bodies of work: camera-less salt prints from her ongoing 108 Days: Attentive Field and photographic works on silk from A Year in Light. Johnson’s practice uses natural light, duration, and handmade materials to create images that emerge slowly through repeated exposure and careful attention. Her work invites viewers into a quieter mode of perception, where light is experienced not as instant spectacle but as atmosphere, memory, and accumulation.Daniel Miller presents Mutual Light, a series of interactive sculptural flowers that react to visitors through infrared temperature sensing, distance detection, and air-quality monitoring. As viewers move closer, breathe, and emit heat, the flowers shift in color and luminosity, making visible the often-invisible energies exchanged between body and environment. Constructed from repurposed plastic milk jugs and custom electronic systems, the works combine ecological reuse with poetic technological responsiveness.Tuan Jones presents When Shadows Plié: The Choreography in Stillness, a series of paintings depicting humanoid figures performing ballet in Formula 1 helmets. The helmets allow the dancers to conceal themselves but also amplify their presence to better navigate the world of ballet, an institution that has historically excluded black and brown bodies. While Racecar driving and Ballet seemingly juxtapose– recklessness vs. grace, they relate in their culture of rigorous expectations of work and their precise and calculated movements. Dancers prance through a forest floor, bestrewn in contradiction, Jones creates a contemplative world where the viewer questions how they occupy and are perceived in space. Mutual Light, Daniel Miller

Conditions of Encounter

January 31, 2026, to March 14, 2026 Closing Reception: Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM The exhibition asks fundamental questions about the future of art, culture, and community, positioning Forum 301 as a space not only for presentation but for inquiry, dialogue, and experimentation. How do we imagine what comes next when the present feels uncertain, fragmented, or in flux? Through diverse practices and perspectives, the exhibition considers how artists respond to and shape evolving cultural landscapes, and how creative work can function as both a mirror and a catalyst. At its core, the show reflects Forum 301’s commitment to supporting artists who engage critically with the world around them while remaining open to risk, curiosity, and possibility. In asking what it means to dream beyond the present moment, the exhibition moves across social, political, environmental, and spiritual terrain, emphasizing that the future is not singular or fixed but collectively constructed. It invites artists and audiences alike to pause, reflect, and reimagine, recognizing art as a vital tool for envisioning alternative futures and strengthening community bonds. In alignment with Forum 301’s broader mission, the exhibition creates space for conversation, connection, and forward thinking, reinforcing the gallery’s role as a living platform where ideas are tested, voices are amplified, and tomorrow is actively imagined rather than passively awaited. Featured Artists include: Alexander Gouletas | ​Daniel Miller | Elizabeth Herwaldt | Emily J Casella Félix Mirel | Paulina Inigo | Reggie McFly | Thair Thursday | Victoria Pater | Violet Luczak

 Imagining Tomorrow

Exhibition: December 20, 2025 – January 17, 2026Opening Reception: December 20th, 2025, 6 PM​ The Beauty of Chicago Photography Exhibit is a curated showcase dedicated to capturing the people, places, and stories that define the city of Chicago. This exhibition celebrates the city’s creative energy, resilience, and cultural depth through the lenses of artists who document Chicago with honesty and intention. More than a visual presentation, Beauty of Chicago represents an ongoing commitment to elevating local talent and amplifying the perspectives that shape Chicago’s creative identity. ​ At Forum 301, we believe creativity builds community. In alignment with that mission, proceeds from all artwork sales will benefit Marwen, a Chicago-based nonprofit providing free visual arts education to young people across the city. By exhibiting with Forum 301, artists are not only sharing their work. They are directly supporting and empowering the next generation of Chicago creatives. ​ Featured Artists: Michael Ennis | ​Eddie Francisco | ​Thomas D Gallagher | ​Lawrence Reed | ​Todd Tue

The Beauty of Chicago Photography Exhibit

Exhibition: September 12, 2025 – November 22nd, 2025Opening Reception: September 12, 2025, 5 PM ​ Due to popular demand, our exhibition: Reimagining Everyday has been extended through November 22nd! Don’t miss this inspiring show that transforms ordinary moments and materials into extraordinary works of art. Featured Artists: Katrin Schnabl, Professor at the School of the Art Institute Noah Kashiani, an innovative, established Chicago sculptor and educator Lauren Iacoponi, a leader in Chicago creating new forms of art Victoria Fuller, an award-winning Chicago artist and graduate of the School of the Art Institute Pat Stephens, an accomplished ceramicist and metal worker who has been a major contributor to many Chicago art shows Jordan Campbell, co-founder of AltSpaceChicago (alt_), has a mission of using art as a tool for healing, service, and cultural redevelopment. Cody Norman, co-founder of AltSpaceChicago (alt_)

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