Expo Chicago week has just began. Besides all the Expo Chicago After Hours events lined up and all the newspaper listings of what to see, do and eat, I have put together my own list which gives a wide open taste of the art community in and around Chicago. From well known venues to art walks and artists run spaces, this is a great weekend to be in Chicago. Click on each link if you want to read more about each event. Enjoy the weekend!

Friday, September 18, 2015

Forms of Imagination

Arts Incubator in Washington Park
301 E Garfield Blvd, Chicago, Illinois 60637

Exhibition Runs Sept 18 – Jan 8, 2016
Opening Reception + Panel: Oct 3, 11am – 4pm, Panel at 12pm
Projects Reveal + Activation: Oct 14, 6pm

Forms of Imagination explores the way Arts + Public Life creates ambitious public design and architecture projects that foster creative communities in Chicago’s mid-South Side. The exhibition and related programs shift the gaze from design product to design process, giving audiences and visitors the opportunity to examine how Arts + Public Life uses its spaces, programs and other resources, as well as its unique partnerships with local artists, designers, students, youth, business owners to enhance the built environment, cultural landscape and livability of Washington Park. The exhibition will include projects by Carlos Rolón/Dzine, PORT Urbanism, Mikel Patrick Avery, as well as the leading architects’ visions for the Green Line Art Center, a future arts space on Garfield Boulevard.

Forms of Imagination is an exhibition of the 2015 Chicago Architecture Biennial. FEATURED ARTISTS: Mikel Patrick Avery, PORT Urbanism and Carlos Rolón/Dzine. Curated by Paola Aguirre and Tempestt Hazel.

La Muerte Niña: Day of the Dead

National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th St, Chicago, Illinois 60608

The National Museum of Mexican Art cordially invites you to join us for the opening reception of “La Muerte Niña: Day of the Dead” on Friday, September 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Come celebrate the Day of the Dead with the works of over 90 artists of Mexican descent from both sides of the border. This year we are featuring the painting tradition of the Death Child and the little angels’ ritual. Thirteen ofrendas and installations were created to remember distinguished artists and members of the community alike. Folk art, paintings, and sculptures comprise the largest annual exhibition of Day of the Dead in the U.S. This exhibition is curated by Dolores Mercado.

La Muerte Niña: Day of the Dead exhibition is dedicated to the 43 missing students from the Ayotzinapa, Guerrero Teachers College, missing since September 26, 2014.

ZHOU B ART CENTER #3rdFRIDAYS

Zhou B Art Center
1029 W 35th St, Chicago, Illinois 60609

First Floor:
JOURNEY TO ART: ZHOU BROTHERS
“Journey to Art, is the first collaboration between the Zhou B Art Center and the Ed Paschke Art Center. Over the past 30 or so years we, the Zhou Brothers & Ed Paschke have developed a great friendship, a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s work.

Second Floor:
CENTERLINE 2015
CenterLine’11 is the official annual showcase for the Zhou B artists, the spotlight shines on them and their talent. The over 100 artists affiliated with the center represent diverse styles and medium that includes traditional forms such as painting and photography; our New Media space presents the avante garde in video and performance; there will be sculpture, printmaking, encaustic painting and anything you can imagine. If you are interested in a big show of very different work put this in your calendar.

Fourth Floor:
Beate Axman: Between Roots and Wings
Solo exhibition by Germany-based artist. At first sight, the works of Beate Axmann may come across as mere expressive and perhaps experimental gestural works. They are at times heavily layered or painted with minimal strokes. Often unstretched and asymmetrically imperfect in their final presentation. However, that first impression quickly evolves into a larger conversation as one becomes more aware of the existing intricacies, elaborate layers and glowing energy within the work. 

Fourth Floor:
Salon Style 2015
Between the months of September and November, 4Art Gallery will proudly present you with a chance to see an enthralling exhibition of twenty-three exuberant artist. After twelve years of dedication to the display and appreciation of fine art, 4Art gallery is keeping the 300 year tradition alive by hosting its 2nd annual Salon Style Exhibit.

With Love, From Romania

CROMEgallery
3118 S Morgan St, Chicago, Illinois 60608

Artist Alexandra Giannopoulos takes us on a journey through Romania from her time spent during an Artist Residency by paintings of landscapes, culture and more. Alexandra is an artist and Visual Arts Teacher, living and working in her hometown of Chicago. At the University of New Mexico she studied studio arts, art history and art education; teaching students from Pre-K through college for the past ten years.

Adorn: Contemporary Wearable Art

Woman Made Gallery
685 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60642

What defines and separates the practices of the artist, the designer, and the craftsman? Or are there instances where they are all the same person? “The 21st century being what it is,” Glenn Adamson, director of the Museum of Arts and Design in NY said, “categories are points of reference, but not very useful as containers of people.” Pieces that imply a wearable function exist in a limbo space where they can fall into any category. This exhibition showcases innovative works that challenge the traditions of jewelry, fashion, and wearable art as both “personal adornment and public sculpture” (Victoria Golmesky NYTimes). Selections were curated by Yevgeniya Kaganovich, an artist, wearables designer, Professor and Chair of the Department of Art and Design at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and head of its thriving Jewelry and Metal-smithing program.

Power, Politics, and Pavement: An Exhibition by Brian Morgan

Jackson Junge Gallery
1389 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60622

The Jackson Junge Gallery proudly presents Power, Politics, and Pavement, an exhibition by local Chicago artist, Brian Morgan that reveals Chicago’s history through portraiture. The exhibition opens to the public with an artist’s reception on Friday, September 18th from 6-10PM.

From its early days when powerful politicians and wealthy landowners surveyed a swamp to lay out a grid on roughly one-square mile, Chicago has grown to encompass diverse neighborhoods and deep cultural heritage. We are a city with a population of more than three million people who walk, bike, drive and bus on over 3,600 miles of streets. Every day we traverse upon those immortal pioneers of business and fortune from centuries ago, who built this city and left their names to forever remind us of their legacies. For most of us, we have no idea who they are.

Sixth Anniversary Show

Water Street Studios
160 S Water St, Batavia, Illinois 60510

Water Street Studios will be hosting their Sixth Anniversary Group Show opening reception on Friday, September 18th from 6-9pm. Also opening the same night in the Kane County Chronicle Gallery upstairs, a collection of photographs by Susan May Moody, “Who in the World is Jumping at The Bean?” Join us as we celebrate 6 years as Fox Valley’s premiere contemporary art hub. Juried by Aron Packer. Best of show announced at 7:30. Cash bar and refreshments will be served.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Ravenswood ArtWalk

Ravenswood ArtWalk
1802 W Berteau, Suite 102, Chicago, Illinois 60613

OPEN STUDIOS, ARTIST MARKET, CRAFT BEER, LIVE MUSIC, FAMILY FUN
Saturday September 19 & Sunday September 20
11 AM – 6 PM, Tickets: $5 ea.

Rescue or Destroy Team Art! Elimination Tournaments

1418 W Division St Chicago IL

Team Art! members will be facing of at this single elimination tournaments were one art work will be spared from the chopping block. all artist will be allowed to enter one work of art into the competition. Artist feel free to bring more work to be put on the chopping block during the tournament. September 19th at Loft 0 formally Chicago Truborn.

Victor Yañez-Lazcano: As You Were

Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery Moraine Valley Community College
9000 W. College Pkwy. Palos Hills, IL 60465

Victor Yañez-Lazcano weaves together portraits and still lifes to create a photographic narrative that explores his family’s history and Mexican-American identity as it grows into a second-generation of U.S. citizens. Reception Saturday, September 19, 1-3pm

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Works From Around Our State

Evanston Art Center
1717 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201

Universities from around Illinois have selected two faculty members and two students to represent their school in this exhibition, Works From Around Our State, which is designed to showcase Illinois artists. This exhibition will be a unique opportunity to see the collected and varying works of the artists from the southern, central and northern part of the state, as well as to come together as a state-wide community in support of the arts.  Opening reception Sunday, September 20, 1-4 pm

South Shore Arts 72nd Salon Show Reception

Bachman Gallery – The Center for Visual & Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321

The SALON SHOW exhibit will feature the “Florida Tropical House” rendered as a 20×30″ Canvas Gallery Wrap. The exhibit will be running through Nov 1. The Artist Reception/Awards will be held on Sunday, Sep 20 from 1pm to 3pm, and the public is invited.  Refreshments will be served.

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