Believe it or not, Summer’s time has passed and Fall is in the air. The change of seasons signals many things, of course, and one of them in Chicago is the much-anticipated celebration of the arts.
Exhibitions, galleries, and open studio events abound – too many to mention in this small space. I’ll just highlight a few that might be worth your while. First up was Expo Art Week, an annual mid-September event designed to showcase some of the city’s top art and culture events and venues.
The end of Expo Art Week ushers in a whole host of opening receptions, gallery exhibits and salons. Chicago Gallery News has a most comprehensive list, never leaving you at a loss for what to do art-wise around the city. Not to be missed? Major Tom lands at The Museum of Contemporary Art from September 25, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Chicago is the exhibition’s only stop in the U.S.
The MCA chronicles singer, auteur, musician, actor and style icon David Bowie’s various incarnations, from Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke and beyond. Yes, you can expect to see Bowie’s trend-breaking (and gender-bending) costumes, photographs, hand-written notes and lyrics. But MCA curator Michael Darling is quoted as saying, “… the show is also able to zoom-out to address the mores of the day and show how so much of what Bowie was doing was shocking; it went against the grain.”
Want something a bit more uptown and down to earth? Be sure to make the scene during the Ravenswood ArtWalk, October 4th and 5th, with the opening reception Friday, October 3rd. As long as you’re in the neighborhood, show some love to the artist members of Lill Street Gallery. The 10th annual student show takes place from September 29th through October 5th.
Last spot on the round-up (but first on my list of to-dos October 3rd) is the Fall Open Studios reception at the Cornelia Arts Building. You’ll find the work of more than 40 resident and guest artists and artisans, live music, and complimentary refreshments. Why is it the first on my to-do list for that day? Because that’s where you’ll find yours truly and at least a half dozen of my paintings. I am one of the guest artists for the evening. Woot!