EXPO CHICAGO took place last weekend at Navy Pier, marking its eleventh installment with a vibrant gathering of collectors, curators and museum directors from all over the world. This year's event featured over 170 galleries from 29 countries and 75 cities, and saw more than 35,000 visitors. Time Out spoke with local galleries and creators about their experiences at EXPO CHICAGO, and the importance of art and community in Chicago.
Anthony Gallery
Torey Gaines, director of Anthony Gallery, was excited to see the various artists and guests who visited his space at EXPO CHICAGO.
"Many people use art to express themselves, to communicate how they feel and what they feel, to enjoy community with others of like minds," Gaines said.
Gaines envisions Anthony Gallery as a space for different people and perspectives to do just that.
"We'd like to emphasize bridging a gap between different communities and putting people in a room who usually wouldn't be put in a room together," Gaines said. "[People] can exhibit together and express themselves, allowing Anthony Gallery to be a platform for different artists from different parts of the world and cultures.”
Anthony Gallery also hosted a 30-person show curated by space owner Easy Otabor and had a solo booth displaying artist Michael C. Thorpe's work at EXPO CHICAGO.
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Center for Native Futures
Co-founders of the Center for Native Futures Monica Rickert-Bolter and Debra Yepa-Pappan discussed the significance of representing Native art at EXPO CHICAGO, and stressed the importance of having a dedicated space for Native artists.
"People have been hungering to see art from Native people. It's more receptive because of the actions at Standing Rock and the social awakening that society has had in the last several years during the pandemic," Yepa-Pappan said. "We've been welcomed with open arms by the public when people come by our booth, and they're like, ‘Wow, this is amazing!’”
The duo talked about challenging narratives and uplifting Indigenous futures. Bolter also discussed the empowerment and spotlighting of Native artists at the expo.
"We want to showcase that we're here to foster these artists and help them in any way possible to amplify their work and voices. We want to encourage more people to get out there and do this too," Rickert-Bolter said.
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Art Design Chicago
Art Design Chicago is a citywide collaboration celebrating Chicago's artistic heritage and creative communities through over 35 exhibitions and hundreds of public events.
At EXPO CHICAGO, two special exhibition booths were presented in collaboration with Hyde Park Art Center and Center for Native Futures. The Hyde Park Art Center's booth showcased projects from four Chicago-based, artist-run platforms that generate critical discussions about Chicago neighborhoods through art interventions in public spaces.
Eva Silverman, project director for Art Design Chicago at the Terra Foundation for American Art, highlighted the collaborative nature of Chicago artists while discussing the role of art in the community and the importance of artist-run platforms.
"One thing that's a tradition in Chicago, illustrated in both booths, is that we are helping to support Chicago artists that are really collaborative," Silverman said. "Chicago artists work together to support each other.”
Cooperation Racine
Cooperation Racine fosters cooperation and care among Black women, offering a space for Black and Brown artists rooted on Chicago's South Side to call their own.
"There's a call for narrative and mindset change within the art world, urging collectors to reconsider their role and invest in artists as a community," said Cooperation Racine worker-owner Andrea Yarbrough.
This initiative is centered around workforce development and training young people in different roles and pathways in art.
"Despite existing hierarchies and wealth gaps, there's a push to use art to close racial wealth disparities. This shift has sparked curiosity among people who eagerly ask how to improve the culture [in a way] that isn't just putting art on the wall for people to consume," Yarbrough explained, adding that art acquisition should not just be for wall decor but as an investment in cooperative creative economies.
Rhona Hoffman Gallery
"Art schools are creating a situation, in collaboration with galleries, where people can go to school and don't have to leave Chicago," gallery founder Rhona Hoffman said.
Rhona Hoffman Gallery features young and emerging artists alongside established ones. The gallery showcased all its artists at EXPO CHICAGO.
"Twenty or thirty years ago, there were maybe three or four galleries and they were not necessarily showing Chicago. Now, good artists in Chicago graduating from any of the art schools can find representation," Hoffman said.
Hoffman highlighted the growth and expansion of galleries in Chicago, crediting art schools and universities for fostering talent. She also praised Chicago's museums for their strong education programs, which contribute to making art a part of many people's daily lives.
Hoffman has seen how Chicago's art community has evolved over the years.
"People now finally understand that the Midwest has a huge population of people who can be interested in the arts," Hoffman said.
Lastly, Hoffman expressed enthusiasm for the local art scene, emphasizing its inclusivity and support for emerging artists.
Among the artists the gallery exhibited last weekend were Bassim Al Shaker, Michael Rakowitz and Jacob Hashimoto.
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The Conservation Center
At EXPO CHICAGO, the Conservation Center plays a vital role behind the scenes as conservators of artwork and framers of potentially damaged pieces before and during the exhibit.
"Thousands of works of art are being shipped in from all around the world," said Heather Becker, CEO of the Conservation Center.
The center’s expansive 30,000-square-foot facility treats a range of arts, including paintings, sculptures, rare books, murals, furniture, textiles and more. Each category is supported by specialized experts dedicated to their respective fields.
"In our community, our primary focus is raising awareness and educating about the importance of conservation and preservation," Becker said.
She also emphasized the need for proper care and handling of artwork to ensure its longevity and cultural significance.
"Whether you're an art connoisseur, cherish a family heirloom, oversee a significant institutional collection or curate a relevant portrait collection, it's crucial to not only appreciate these works but also understand how to care for them," Becker said.
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