In the second of two interviews on the subject of animated GIFs, we talk with local artists who are producing a 16mm film composed entirely of animated GIFs, twohundredfiftysixcolors. more ›

Threadless announced a new partnership with Gap to sell t-shirts in Gap stores and on the Gap website. more ›

It's sort of hard to believe but Christmas shopping ads have already made their way into our living rooms; thanks for that Macy's! As the holiday season looms large over us here at the Chicagoist offices we have all made a pact this year not to leave all of our shopping until that midnight super-sale on Christmas Eve night. One way we've decided to combat our penchant for procrastination is to make the rounds at all of the independent, DIY, handmade artist shows that grace the streets of Chicago throughout the autumn. more ›

• Bond was set at $1 million for Marcy Cruz, half of the duo charged in last week's bat attack in Bucktown.
• A Facebook photo leads to a stolen phone.
• Desiree Rogers breaks her silence on her time in the White House.

In these recessionary times, galleries are closing down, auction houses are getting millions less than normal in sales for even big-name masterpieces, and starving artists are starving even more. Recently we asked a few dozen artists and gallerists how they were surviving Great Depression II: The Internet Edition. Here's what they told us: more ›

Just us, or does it seem like everyone's got a case of the crazy grouchies today? Maybe it's the drizzle? Whatever it is, these dazzling drawings by Chicago artist Geoffrey Todd Smith will chase the blues away. You can see some of Smith's work at the Hyde Park Arts Center through May 4. more ›