Our Five Recommendations For Chicago Artists Month
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 5, 2012 7:20PM
While many artists, critics and gallery owners continue to place Chicago on the national and international radar as a hotspot for art with events like EXPO Chicago, the annual Chicago Artists Month continues the harder fight to raise awareness of the city’s gallery scene on a local level. Every October hundreds of local artists take center stage at exhibitions, openings, walking tours, and workshops across the city.
Chicago Artists Month serves as another opportunity to be a tourist in your own city. If you live near the River North gallery district, this would be ideal to check out, say, the Pilsen art district. Fans of what’s happening at the Flat Iron Building in Wicker Park can see what’s happening in Rogers Park. Hyde Parkers can go to Beverly. After all, Chicago is a city if neighborhoods. Why not explore them?
Following are five recommended events associated with Chicago Artists Month.
Bridgeport Block Party
The “neighborhood of mayors” has slowly developed a small but thriving arts scene anchored by the Zhou B Art Center and Bridgeport Art Center on 35th Street, and the Co-Prosperity Sphere on South Morgan. The three spaces join forces for an evening of art, music and food from 5-9 p.m. tonight. One of the highlights of the walking tour is the Mash Tun Oktoberfest at the Bridgeport Art Gallery, which will feature scores of craft beers, food trucks and a pig roast. While at the Zhou B Center, check out the latest exhibit by the renowned Zhou Brothers, Li - The River of Souls. This strong series of abstract paintings was inspired by the Li river in China and charts the Zhou Brothers growing interest in art and how the river influenced their early work while still informing them in the present. (Zhou B Art Center - 1029 W. 35th St.; Bridgeport Art Center - 1200 W. 35th St.; Co-Prosperity Sphere - 3219 S. Morgan St.)
4000 N/4800 W: Artists of Portage Park
A storefront space in the Klee Building in Six Corners becomes an exhibit of artwork from established, emerging and student artists who live and work in Portage Park and surrounding neighborhoods, curated by Wilbur Wright College art professor Johannah Silva. The exhibit runs through Oct. 28. Tomorrow’s opening reception will feature food from The Portage and local beers. (4015 N. Milwaukee Ave., 6 p.m.)
Chicago Black Artists Show & Network
See Chicago through the eyes of black artists at this opening reception and networking event at the Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center. The exhibit opens Oct. 13 and runs through Nov. 17. (1957 S. Spaulding Ave., 1 p.m.)
Street Images: The City Speaks Through Art
From Oct. 21 through Dec. 8, explore the works of black muralists and their connections to Chicago’s culture. Artists Hebru Brantley, Max Sansing, Kiela Smith-Upton, and Carla Carr share their experiences and works and will be part of a panel discussion on "Demystifying Public Art." (Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 W. 95th St., opening reception 2:30 p.m. Oct. 21)
Garfield Park Annual Festival of the Arts
Throughout the summer the Garfield Park Community Council has engaged in a public arts project doubling as a public safety campaign that culminates in a week-long festival focusing on the artists and culture of Garfield Park from Oct. 22-28. The kickoff is 5 p.m. on the 22nd. (Trees of Heaven Plaza, 115 N. Kedzie Ave.)
For a full listing of events and openings during Chicago Artists Month, click here.