Art for which the idea (or concept) behind the work is more important than the finished art object.&nbsp;

Conceptual / Performance

<h3>Developed during the Italian Renaissance, primarily for aesthetics or beauty, the highest art was that which allowed the full expression and display of the artist's imagination.</h3>

Fine Prints & Painting – Pre 18th Century

<h3>Graphic Art covers a broad range of visual artistic expression, typically two-dimensional. It includes calligraphy, photography, painting, typography, computer graphics, and bindery.&nbsp;</h3>

Graphic Art

Works of art that utilize the form of the book. They are often published in small editions, though they are sometimes produced as one-of-a-kind objects.

Artists' Books

The exploration of video art and music or sound set, including visual music, abstract film, audiovisual performances and installations.

Video / Sound

The objects produced by shaping pieces of clay that are then hardened by baking, or the skill of making such objects.

Ceramics

An artistic form in which hard or plastic materials are carved, modeled, casted, and constructed into a three-dimensional art object.&nbsp;

Sculpture

The process of creating artworks by printing, typically on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints that have an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting.

Printmaking

<h3>Something made in an earlier period that is collected and considered to have value because it is beautiful, rare, old, or of high quality.</h3>

Antiques and Artifacts

Imagery where the subject matter centers around a view or depiction of Chicago.&nbsp;

Chicago Scenes & Regionalism

Old Masters refer to any painter of skill who worked in Europe before about 1800.

Old Masters

Socio-Political art is used to help the public understand a particular social or political issue.

Socio-Political

<h3>The attempt to represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding artistic conventions, or implausible, exotic, and supernatural elements.</h3>

Realism

<h3>Artwork (particularly paintings and sculptures) that is clearly derived from real objects and is representational.</h3>

Figurative

<h3>Individual works of art that are substantially or wholly made of glass. Glass art ranges in size from monumental works and installation pieces, to wall hangings and windows, to works of art made in studios and factories, including glass jewelry and tableware.</h3>

Glass

<h3>Artwork that often deals with Rococo, the Enlightenment, Neoclassicism, and Romanticism.</h3>

Fine Prints & Painting – 18th & 19th C.

From the Tate Museum's website: Modernism refers to a global movement in society and culture that from the early decades of the twentieth century sought a new alignment with the experience and values of modern industrial life. Building on late nineteenth-century precedents, artists around the world used new imagery, materials and techniques to create artworks that they felt better reflected the realities and hopes of modern societies.

Modernism

<h3>Contemporary artists work in a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advancing world. Their art is a dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts, and subjects that continue to challenge boundaries.</h3>

Fine Prints & Painting – Contemporary

<h3>Art that is concerned with the design and decoration of objects that are chiefly prized for their utility, rather than for their purely aesthetic qualities including, ceramics, glassware, metalware, furniture, textiles, clothing, and more.</h3>

Furniture & Decorative Arts

<h3>Emerging art is work by artists who are still building their artistic careers and have not yet reached a more established and widely recognized status.&nbsp;</h3>

Emerging

<h3>Fiber art refers to fine art whose material consists of natural or synthetic fiber and other components, such as fabric or yarn. It focuses on the materials and on the manual labour on the part of the artist as part of the works' significance, and prioritizes aesthetic value over utility.</h3>

Fiber Arts / Textiles

The quality of dealing with ideas rather than events. Freedom from representational qualities in art.

Abstraction

<h3>Art by African-American artists.</h3>

African-American

<h3>The art and science of designing and making buildings, or the style of a building.</h3>

Architecture

<h3>Impressionism is a 19th-century art movement characterized by relatively small, thin, yet visible brush strokes, open composition, an emphasis on light and its changing qualities, and inclusion of movement as a crucial element of human perception and experience.</h3>

Impressionism

From the Tate Museum's website: Abstract expressionism is the term applied to new forms of abstract art developed by American painters such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning in the 1940s and 1950s. It is often characterized by gestural brush-strokes or mark-making, and the impression of spontaneity.

Abstract Expressionism

Numismatics

Relating to Africa or people of African descent.

African

Eastern European art is a product of recent history. It can be traced to the division of Europe into the Western and Soviet spheres of influence of the allied victory over Germany in World War two.

Eastern European

LGBTQIA+

Feminist

Considered one of the most influential periods of art, featuring movements including Fauvism, Cubism, Futurism, Dada, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism.

Early 20th Century

Skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects by hand.

Craft

<h3>The skill of making plans, drawings, or arrangements to show how a building or product is made.</h3>

Design

Asian art is diverse and rich, spanning thousands of years and dozens of countries. It is known for its ritual bronzes, beautiful ceramics, calligraphy, jades, textiles, painted landscapes, garden design, pagodas and stupas, and woodblock prints.

Asian

Italian

<h3>An artistic genre of three-dimensional works that often are site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space.</h3>

Installations

An art form that combines visual art with dramatic performance.

Performance

Some of the most prominent, highly influential artists, who challenged preconceptions and pushed the limits of visual art, shaping the art world of our time.

Modern Contemporary Masters

Created in accordance with the vision of the artist as a photographer, using photography as a medium to bring something to life that only lives in the artist's mind.

Photography

The design movement in interior, product, graphic design, architecture, and urban development from roughly the 1930's to 1965.

Mid-Century

A movement in art and literature that flourished in the early 20th-century. Surrealism aimed at expressing imaginative dreams and visions free from conscious rational control.&nbsp;

Surrealism

An innovative discipline which seeks to unify a large range of art forms. This is creatively achieved by combining an array of artistic insights and crafts such as film, literature, performance, music and sound, drama, visual arts, or design.

Multi-Media

<h3>The depiction of landscapes in art—natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, especially where the main subject is a wide view—with its elements arranged into a coherent composition.</h3>

Landscape

Plein air is the act of painting outdoors. This method contrasts with studio painting or academic rules that might create a predetermined look.

Plein-air

Printed 2-D artwork which is designed to be affixed to a vertical surface, may consist exclusively of images, or images and text.

Poster / Lithography

<h3>A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person.</h3>

Portraits / Portraiture

<h3>These works are often stunningly beautiful, and encourage the viewer to engage with the rich history of research and experimentation that led to the piece’s conception.</h3>

Scientific

<h3>The Art of the American West is defined by geographical subject, consists of historic and contemporary works of art which focus on varying expressions of individuals, landscapes, ideals, and myths of the American West.</h3>

Western (The American West)

<h3>Borrowed from Wikipedia: In visual arts, music, and other mediums, minimalism is an art movement that began in post–World War II Western art, most strongly with American visual arts in the 1960s and early 1970s. Prominent artists associated with minimalism include Donald Judd, Agnes Martin, Dan Flavin, Robert Morris, Anne Truitt, and Frank Stella. It derives from the reductive aspects of modernism and is often interpreted as a reaction against abstract expressionism and a bridge to postminimal art practices.</h3>

Minimalism

<h3>Occupying the space between fine art and the everyday, functional art refers to aesthetic objects that serve utilitarian purposes. The genre is remarkably inclusive, it encompasses everything from furniture and lighting to dishes and even books.</h3>

Functional Art - Jewelry / Fashion

A range of artistic practices encompassing both historical approaches to nature in art and more recent ecological and politically motivated types of works.

Wildlife / Nature

Watches & Timepieces

Sports Collectibles

3-Dimensonal

Rare Books / Manuscripts

Western European art represents a continuous, though disrupted, tradition from antiquity until the present time. Until the mid-19th century it was primarily concerned with representational and Classical modes of production. After the mid-19th century modern, abstract and conceptual forms gained favor.

Western European

Comics

Large Scale (over 6')

Visual art created in public locations, usually unsanctioned artwork executed outside of the context of traditional art venues. Common forms and media include spray paint graffiti, stencil graffiti, poster art, sticker art, street installations, and sculpture.

Pop / Street Art / Graffiti

Indigenous & Native

Chicago Imagists

East Asian

Medieval / Renaissance 

Non-Western

Southeast & South Asian

<h3>Art produced by self-taught or naïve art makers. Typically, those labeled as outsider artists have little or no contact with the mainstream art world or art institutions. In many cases, their work is discovered only after their deaths. Often, outsider art illustrates extreme mental states, unconventional ideas, or elaborate fantasy worlds.</h3>

Folk / Outsider / Self Taught

American Regionalism

Literary Arts

Mosiac

Includes manuscripts, prints, drawings, collages, and paintings on paper.

Works on Paper

Prints and Drawings

West Asia  & North Africa

Middle Eastern & Islamic

Land Art

<h3>Artistic expression of Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, as well as Latin and Hispanic Americans living in other regions. Latin American art has roots in the many different indigenous cultures that inhabited the Americas before European colonization in the 16th-century.</h3>

Hispanic/Latinx

Wright is the industry’s leading auction house specializing in 20th century art and design.&nbsp; Our innovative style and superior expertise sets us apart in the industry. We value creativity and focus on the quality of presentation and content. Our world-class specialists, award-winning catalogs, pioneering website and international marketing has captured the attention of distinguished collectors around the globe—buyers and sellers alike—making Wright a prominent resource for 20th century art and design. Richard Wright founded Wright auction house in 2000. He has more than 30&nbsp;years of experience handling and documenting 20th century works. Together, with&nbsp;a highly-qualified team of specialists, researchers, designers and handlers, Wright&nbsp;has sold more than 75,000 works across the spectrum of 20th century art and design and pioneered entire fields of collecting. Wright is the market leader in the sale of architecture as design and Important Italian Glass, achieving record results. Wright headquarters is centrally located in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood and&nbsp;is home to our consignment offices, production team and creative staff as well as 7,000 square feet of exhibition space. Chicago is also home to Wright Now, our&nbsp;inventory of art and design available for direct purchase, and since fall of 2022 home to Toomey &amp; Co. Auctioneers.

Wright

Founded in 1940, South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) is the nation’s first Black art institution, dedicated to amplifying the voices of contemporary Black artists. SSCAC is a dynamic cultural space where Black art, thought, and radical creativity thrive on Chicago’s South Side. Here, we embrace art as a living, evolving language, one that speaks to resilience, imagination, and the complexities of Black identity in our time. SSCAC is both a platform and a sanctuary—a place where emerging creators stand shoulder-to-shoulder with seasoned visionaries, and where every exhibition, workshop, and performance is an invitation to explore and challenge. Our commitment is to showcase bold, current perspectives that resonate with the realities of today while honoring the legacy that brought us here. Join us as we nurture the future of Black art, creating space for innovation, dialogue, and profound cultural expression. January 2025–March 2029: Beyond Frames: Black Women Collectors Shaping&nbsp;Cultural Heritage in Chicago Image: South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC), the nation’s first Black art space, forging the future on Chicago’s South Side.&nbsp;Design: Jada-Amina / Photo Credit: Lennell Davis, Jr.

South Side Community Art Center

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum engages and inspires the global community through exploration and ongoing conversations in art, architecture, and design of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions are presented in an immersive experience within the restored Samuel Mayo Nickerson Mansion, completed in 1883, at the height of the Gilded Age, and the 1926 Murphy Auditorium. The Museum’s collection reflects and is inspired by the collecting interests, vision, and focus of its founder, the late Richard H. Driehaus.&nbsp;The Museum is located just steps from the Magnificent Mile. The exquisite building was saved twice, first by a collective of over 100 Chicago citizens in 1919, and then by philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus, who sponsored its restoration from 2003-2008.&nbsp;More information is available at <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://driehausmuseum.org" target="_blank">driehausmuseum.org</a> Our new entrance:&nbsp;50 E. Erie, at the Murphy Auditorium The Museum offers both private and guided tours and has a downloadable&nbsp;app for a self-guided experience. Consult the website for more information&nbsp;Image: The Maher Gallery. Photo by Alexander Vertikoff, 2011

The Driehaus Museum

Founded by Betsy Nathan in 1997, PAGODA RED is a gallery of rare antiquities, vintage curiosities and contemporary art &amp; objects. The collection is curated in a vast early 20th c. bow truss space in Bucktown, a destination for collectors, designers and people who love to explore and discover. Image: Gallery view

PAGODA RED

Toomey &amp; Co. Auctioneers is a premier specialty auction house and has been&nbsp;conducting auctions of 20th century art and design since 1987.&nbsp; Steeped in the midwestern origins of Prairie School architecture, Toomey &amp; Co.&nbsp;is a leading purveyor of fine art and design. From the Arts &amp; Crafts movement&nbsp;and early art pottery to modern and contemporary art, our dedicated team brings a wealth of experience and attention to every work we handle. Whether a single work or a single-owner sale, we take pride in our focused approach and our dedication to crafting a quality experience for each of our clients and customers. In the fall of 2022, Toomey &amp; Co. relocated from historic Oak Park to the city of Chicago, sharing office and gallery space with Wright. This move consolidates our consignment, production, and creative efforts, allowing us to serve our clients more effectively from a centrally located, downtown site.

Toomey & Co. Auctioneers

Pistachios is a contemporary art jewelry and objects gallery in downtown Chicago, curating the most talented and cutting edge artists from around the world. What sets art jewelry apart is the studio practice and creative expression behind each piece. For 30 years, we’ve made it our promise to bring you the best in innovative design and quality craftsmanship. We take pride in the dedication of our small team, bringing you an art experience that’s inviting, accessible and friendly. Visit our website for our full artist list and exhibition calendar. Image: Gallery view

Pistachios Contemporary Art Jewelry and Objects

The River North Design District (RNDD) is a pocket design community outside of the Merchandise Mart, which boasts interior design offerings accessible to both designers and consumers, providing the Chicago community opportunities to be inspired, explore and belong. The annual River North Design District Fall Gallery Walk takes place the first Friday after Labor Day in September.&nbsp; Our membership provides access to private events, workshops, and forums. For more information regarding memberships, partnerships or events please contact us. Image: Courtesy of Laurie Kwo on exhibit at Daltile as part of the 2024 River North Fall Gallery Walk

River North Design District (RNDD)

Established in 2010, Volume Gallery focuses on material-driven practices across disciplines with a concentration on contemporary and historical American art and design. There is a commitment to finding meaning in materiality and a dedication to advancing innovative makers of the present and recent past. In addition to its exhibitions program, Volume Gallery releases editions, publications, and engages in site-specific commissions that showcase the work of American artists and designers to regional, national, and international audiences. Image: Work by Christy Matson and Jennefer Hoffmann, installation view, Volume Gallery

Volume Gallery

Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the U.S. and the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage sells incredible items in more than 50 collecting categories, from fine art and design objects to coins, comics, and sports memorabilia. Serving the entire Midwest, the specialists at Heritage Auctions in Chicago provide guidance on buying, selling, and managing collections, as well as complimentary auction estimates. &nbsp;&nbsp; Heritage Auctions has locations worldwide, including New York, Beverly Hills,&nbsp;Chicago, Dallas, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Geneva, Amsterdam, Munich, Tokyo and Hong Kong. In addition HA.com, the most popular auction house website, has 1.25 million registered bidder-members and searchable, free archives of 5 million past auction records with prices realized, descriptions, and photos.&nbsp;

Heritage Auctions

David Salkin Creative is a collaborative custom surface design studio that features a featuring a rotating series of thought-provoking presentations that delve into key artistic practices and significant moments in art history. Currently, it showcases Art In Chicago: 1995 – 2025 by Gareth Kaye, which explores the evolution of Chicago’s art scene through ephemera and interviews, offering an evolving narrative of the city’s contemporary art history. This program invites viewers to engage with and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about what defines and sustains art in Chicago. Throughout this presentation and long after its conclusion, Kaye will continue to interview subjects and include the recordings in this program with select interviews being subject to transcription and publication as part of his newsletter, Chicago Spleen. As a critic, he is obliged to pick favorites and to make value judgements, but he also acknowledges that the objects, opinions, and interviews he will be presenting only represent a fragment of Chicago’s past and current art world. As such, the project welcomes commentary on potentially overlooked or underexplored historical narratives and inclusions. This project is dedicated to the memory of Alan Longino, who knew plenty about art and even more about the people who truly love it. Image: David Salkin in his studio with textile samples and an installation by Artist Haynes Riley. Photo by Travis Roozee.

David Salkin Creative

Rivich Auction, Chicago’s Premier Auction House, is your source for art &amp; design.&nbsp;RA conducts on average 20 major auctions annually. From single items to lifelong collections, Rivich Auction has you covered.&nbsp; Rivich Auction specializes in a diverse range of auctions catering to various collectors and enthusiasts. The auctions cover areas such as fine art, jewelry, gold, sterling silver, mid-century design, antiques, vintage cars, and pop culture memorabilia. RA’s commitment to professionalism and integrity ensures that both sellers and buyers have a positive experience in every auction. Whether you are looking to grow your collection or find a new thing to love, RA has you covered.&nbsp; Open previews the week prior to auctions. EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

Design

The skill of making plans, drawings, or arrangements to show how a building or product is made.

Other Specialties

Chicago Gallery News