Judy Saslow, Gallerist And Chicago Arts Force, To Retire

By Carrie McGath in Arts & Entertainment on May 26, 2015 7:55PM

Judy Saslow has been a force in the Chicago art scene since opening her eponymous gallery 20 years ago.

Ms. Saslow announced today that she is retiring her gallery, but she is definitely not leaving the community she loves and has been such an integral part of for decades. She says closing the gallery will give her more free time to spend with artists and students while undoubtedly discovering more under-acknowledged artists.

Her adventurous spirit and keen eye for artwork that is rarely represented was evident when she opened the gallery in 1995 and has continued to illustrate her spirited innovation. She dealt first in works by Outsider Artists (self-taught) out of Europe and soon brought work by American Outsider Artists into the fold. Her collection grew to impressive levels over the years, while her tireless participation in the River North gallery district and the citywide arts community has combined to make Saslow a pinnacle participant in Chicago's rich cultural history.

One of the founders of Intuit Gallery and still on its board, Saslow said the joy she always finds in Outsider Art is very much a part of many aspects of her life outside of her own gallery. As a mother and elementary school teacher, she was ensconced in the fruitful and whimsical ideas that are often part of the tradition of naïve, nonconforming art.

Saslow's innovation as a gallerist, with her welcoming art space and openings, earned her gallery a must-visit reputation in River North. Her constant discovery of art translated into collecting, making her one of the top collectors of Alabama artist Bill Traylor in the country.

Celebrate Saslow and her indelible contributions to the arts scene in Chicago during the gallery district's "First Fridays" series this June. A retirement party is being hosted June 5 at the gallery, and beginning Friday, June 26, much of the gallery's inventory will go on sale through the summer until the space closes it doors by Aug. 30.

Saslow will not be stopping her commitment to the arts in closing the gallery though. As she states in a press release:

"I'm ready for another adventure! I've been a wife and mother, a teacher, a lawyer, and for the last 20 years, I feel fortunate to have used my original passion for collecting naïve and African art into running what I'd consider a successful gallery."

Not only was she successful with her gallery, but its impact will continue to live on and be a large part of Chicago's cultural history.

Judy Saslow Gallery is located at 300 W. Superior St.