Chicago Exhibition Weekend is back, bringing a vibrant celebration of art to the city as fall approaches and temperatures rise one last time before winter sets in. With 50 participants hosting concurrent programming across Chicago until Sunday, September 21, the art scene is buzzing with excitement. However, amidst the festivities, a shadow looms over the city due to the recent threats of National Guard deployment by President Trump and the surge of ICE raids, prompting protesters to fill the streets.
Despite the unsettling backdrop, the art world continues to thrive, offering a beacon of creativity and hope in challenging times. The artists and shows featured in this guide exemplify the power of art to uplift, inspire, and provoke thought. From Theaster Gates’ nurturing of stories to Destyni “Desi” Swoope’s celebration of community and the outsider art at Sawhorse and Shanghai Seminary, each artist brings a unique perspective and voice to the art scene.
One notable exhibition is “Secondary Purpose” at Sawhorse, featuring a collection of over 80 works curated by Chicago innkeeper and photographer Ray Reiss. The exhibition showcases folk and self-taught art, acquired from thrift stores and antique shops, creating an atmosphere of comfort and joy. The heartfelt depictions of animals, people, and landscapes in “Secondary Purpose” invite viewers to sit and immerse themselves in the stories behind the artworks.
At Western Exhibitions, “The Gloaming” by Journie Cirdain mesmerizes with beautifully rendered graphite drawings that blur the line between the mundane and otherworldly. Each piece, from the narrative-rich “Amends” to the intricate “Chandelier (Dewdrops),” captivates with its evocative imagery and attention to detail.
Meanwhile, at Weatherproof, Krista Beinstein’s provocative photographs of queer eroticism are juxtaposed with Tarik Kentouche’s sculptural monkeys in “Urbanite.” The contrast between the bold, brazen poses in Beinstein’s work and the innocent expressions of Kentouche’s monkeys creates a compelling dialogue on vulnerability and observation.
In “Sympathy Ribbon” at Grunts Rare Books, Margaret Crowley’s haunting found objects and Madeline Gallucci’s layered paintings evoke light and memory, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the significance of everyday objects.
The art scene in Chicago continues to thrive with exhibitions like “Recent Works” at Shanghai Seminary, showcasing Winifred Mason’s humorous and honest reflections on media consumption, and “Krapfen” at The Renaissance Society, offering a surreal journey through Diego Marcon’s video installation.
At Logan Center Exhibitions, Tongji Philip Qian’s “Alloyed Commitments” explores the passage of time through intricate wall drawings, while “Strange Realities: The Symbolist Imagination” at The Art Institute of Chicago delves into the fantastical world of Symbolism with eerie and mystical imagery.
The Smart Museum of Art presents Theaster Gates’ solo exhibition “Unto Thee,” highlighting the artist’s multidisciplinary practice and archival work that reactivates cultural objects with historical significance.
Finally, at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, Destyni “Desi” Swoope’s “Abuela’s House
