Forum 301

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_)

Forum 301

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Forum 301

Current and Upcoming Events at Forum 301

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