Art – Chicago Theater and Arts

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Block #7 | Wisconsin 3 | Sculptora Borealis | “Creativity Come to Life”

February is already around the corner so don’t be surprised if there are a few last minute day or overnight trips we almost overlooked. But they still can be slivered into the schedule.

1. Lake Geneva Winterfest

The weather looks fine this weekend for driving up to Lake Geneva, WI. for its Winterfest. Sponsored by Discover Wisconsin, this annual celebration of snow creativity is going on right now north of Chicago.

Teams of snow sculptors have invaded Lake Geneva this week-weekend with their creative concepts of what can be done with snow and hand tools. They have been working on their creations at Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park since their blocs of snow were delivered on Wednesday.

These art works will be up through Sunday or until they melt. However, the judging and awards are done today, Jan. 31, 2026.

In addition, the town is hosting its Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk, Bonfires on the Beach and entertainment.

Groundhog Dy in Woodstock. (JJacobs photo)

J Jacobs image

2. Groundh og Day in Woodstock, IL

Producer Harold Ramis’ famed movie that supposedly takes place in Pennsylvania but is actually shot in Woodstock, IL, centers around a groundhog’s winter-spring prediction.

It’s fun to see the movie and its noted filmed spots up in Woodstock, a town northwest of Chicago.

Celebrated this year in Woodstock with a recreation of Woodstock Willy’s prediction Feb. 2, many of the activities are really going on right now so don’t worry if you can’t drive up there for the actual announcement.

The “live” set is a fun place to visit.

Jodie Jacobs

Art and More

Art Fair in Chicago suburb (J Jacobs photo)

Port Clinton Art Festival | Amdur Productions

It’s not too late to put one of the Midwest’s best art fairs on this week’s calendar.

A highly popular fair that attracts collectors from all over the Chicago area, the annual event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23-24, 2025.

With more than 200 exhibitors filling downtown Highland Park’s streets and walkways, visitors to this weekend’s Port Clinton Art Festival should allow at least an hour to browse and shop.

There is also a kids area and food vendors so actually expect to spend the morning or afternoon here.

Deer Path Art League – Art Fair on the Square

A long-running, free annual event, the fair returns to Lake Forest’s historic Market Square, Aug 31-Sept 1, 2025 for its 70th year. Sponsored by the Deer Path Art League, it is a juried event that attracts artists from across the country.

See more than 120 exhibitors ranging from glass, ceramics, painting and photography to digital art, fiber, metal, jewelry, metal, sculpture & wood.

Printers Row Lit Fest

Art of the written kind fills downtown Chicago’s South Dearborn Street from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street, Sept. 6 -7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free but speakers and programs are still in the works so go to https://printersrowlitfest.org/speakers/ for updates.

Jodie Jacobs

Exceptional Wildlife Photos

Photograph by Randy Olson The photographer captured this electric storm while photographing sandhill cranes at Platte River, Nebraska in 2016. He shot a series of 30-second exposures through the night, hoping lightning would strike during one. The result: a dramatic and rare view of these iconic birds.

Of course you would expect to see rabbits, deer and squirrels at a Lake County Forest Preserve (LCFP). But how about elephants, lions and tigers?

Check out the close encounters of wild life as perfectly captured by the lens of some of the world’s top photographers. The photo exhibit just went up May 24 at the LCFP’s Dunn Museum in Libertyville.

Titled “The Greatest Wildlife Photographs,” a traveling exhibition curated by National Geographic photo editor Kathy Moran, the photos will be up through Sept 21, 2025.

The exhibition features approximately 60 photographs with some audio-video elements and interpretive panels. Some were taken with camera traps or underwater rigs giving the viewer up close and personal shots.

Make it a summer drive when you can also fit in some of the museum’s surprising historic displays from early farms and the Civil War.

“We’re thrilled to bring this extraordinary exhibition to Lake County,” said Alyssa Firkus, director of education for the Lake County Forest Preserves, which operates the museum. “It aligns perfectly with our mission to connect people with nature through powerful storytelling and unforgettable experiences.”

The Dunn Museum is at 1899 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville.

Jodie Jacobs

Best holiday shopping

Art Institue of Chicago has a great gift shop (J Jacobs photo) — Art Institute of Chicago has a great gift shop (J Jacobs photo)

For holiday shopping at its best – meaning taking out the hassle and stirring in fun, consider these two ideas.

What: One of a Kind Show
Every year the One a Kind Show’s more than 600 artisans takes up a floor at The Mart. Yes, it’s that huge building facing the Chicago River that has changing light murals across its riverfront side.

First, wander its food aisle to find tasty treats from candy to cakes to take home or send. Then, check out the artisan booths where everything from paintings and jewelry to purses and glass items will have you adding your own wishes to those gifts your getting others.

When: Dec 5-Dec. 10 am-7 pm and Dec. 10 am-5 pm
Where: THE MART, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 470, Chicago, IL 60654, (312) 527-4141 and (800) 677-6278 toll free.

What: Combine Art Institute of Chicago galleries with its store in person or visit AIC’s shop on line. The Art Institute of Chicago is a world renown travel destination but it also has a great, well stocked gift shop. Look for artistic scarves, jewelry, note paper, glassware, puzzles, paperweights, stuff for kids and the home plus creative calendars and stationery. Shops are at both entrances so just stop by if not visiting an exhibition.

When: anytime on line. In person days open and hours, Mon 11–5, closed Tue-Wed. open Thu 11–8, Fri–Sun 11–5. Note first hour of every day, 10–11 a.m., is reserved for members.

Where: 111 S Michigan Ave., (front entrance) and 159 E. Monroe St, (Modern Wing entrance) Chicago, IL 60603.

Jodie Jacobs

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Maria Elena Ramirez blesses the space during the 43rd annual Muertos de la Risa procession in Pilsen on Nov. 2, 2022. ( Photo by Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago.)

Although traditionally observed Oct. 31-Nov. 2, it’s not too late to look for and join a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. The Mexican holiday that honors deceased loved ones is not celebrated on just one dia or day in the Chicago area, but at least for more than a week in late October and into early November.

Event festivities include artwork, alters, food, dance and items such as skeletons and photos that are not meant to be scary but are ways to remember relatives and others who have died. Chicago has already had several such events but here are more to come and join.

1. Naturally Chicago’s Day of the Dead Party IV | Naturally Chicago on Glue Up Oct. 30, 3-6 p.m at 1924 W. 21st St.. All ages can dress up (or not) for this event that includes refreshments, a community altar, face painting and other activities. RSVP and contribute to the altar by emailing lucero.sanchez@elvalor.net.

2. Eventbrite has tickets to Cafe El Tapatio’s event at 3400 N. Ashland Ave. in Lakeview from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 30. It includes painting calavaera (decorative skulls). Event includes painting materials, appetizers and cocktails. Tickets are $60.

3. Drag Paint & Sip: Day of The Dead & Halloween, Oct. 31 at Pinot’s Palette, 2768 N. Milwaukee Ave. , 7-9:30 p.m. The event features Boo Boo Kitty F*ck, Ricky Ruff, X and Ash Wednesday performances. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets range from $10-$42. Click above at Drag Paint for tickets.

4. 45th Annual Pilsen Día De Los Muertos Celebration And Procession, Nov. 1 at Dvorak Park, 1119 W. Cullerton St. from 3 to 7 p.m. Considered the longest-running Día de los Muertos celebration in Chicago, the Free celebration will include free face painting,music, refreshments, performances and a community procession, sponsored by SGA Youth & Family Services, After School Matters and the Chicago Park District.

Jodie Jacobs

Georgia on a New York Mind

Painting featuring a dense city view bisected by a bright blue river with a tugboat headed right. Factory smokestacks and industrial structures define the far bank. The near back features a mass of close-together structures in different styles and heights. A smoky haze permeates the view, softening the sharp diagonals and corners of the cityscape.

Georgia O’Keeffe. East River from the 30th Story of the Shelton Hotel, 1928. New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, Connecticut, Stephen B. Lawrence Fund. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum on loan to Art Institute of Chicago

Highly Recommended

If you think you know something about Georgia O’Keeffe, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised.

Yes, there are one or two bleached skulls and a few super closeups of the interiors of flowers but overall this exhibit entitled “My New Yorks” focuses mainly on the work she did during the 1920s while married to famed American photographer and gallery owner Alfred Stieglitz.

The couple lived in the Shelton Hotel which at the time was one of the city’s tallest buildings offering the highest living space in NYC. From this vantage point the two visual artists could witness the growth of the sprawling metropolis.

They each derived inspiration from the crush of towering buildings and the interesting shapes provided while looking up during walks at street level as well as from their particular bird’s eye view.

O’Keeffe continued her work with abstracts by making impressions of the city in which she hoped to capture not what it looked like but rather how it felt. Massive structures dominated her canvases and spilled off the edges as though they were unable to be contained.

Her styles at this time seems to have generally drifted away from her previous more colorful works and amorphous forms. Instead, they varied from monochromatic abstracts to more realistic sepia-toned cityscapes reminiscent of Stieglitz’ photos

They also went to more colorful waterfront images and compositions that included shocks of color between or behind a darker field of monolithic buildings as though the natural world was trying to breakthrough this concrete barrier.

It’s notable to mention that her work is virtually devoid of human subjects or foliage. One exception depicts a small sprig from what might be the stem of a flower comprised of a few green leaves on a windowsill with the sharp-edged shapes of the city below. This is one of the few organic and curved subjects in what is otherwise a collection of geometric designs drawn with nearly draftsman like precision.

It is during this time that O’Keeffe made the first of what would be many visits to the Southwest. She brought back at least one cow skull which adorned her apartment terrace and also many bleached bones. It is here in New York that she began to work with the subject matter that would be most identified with her.

Another odd exception that includes organic forms is the random placement of colorful flowers in a 1932 work entitled “Manhattan.”

The large composition of skyscrapers is, itself, more colorful. It has been suggested that the flowers are a nod toward her growing love and an interest in the American Southwest that will ultimately come to dominate the later part of her career.

It’s fitting that this collection be exhibited here in Chicago. Born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, she studied at the School of the Art Institute from 1905 to 1906. In later years, she made several donations of her work and the works of Stieglitz to the museum.

A complimentary audio tour is available on the free AIC app which can be listened to via your smartphone.

Details: Georgia O’Keeffe: “My New Yorks” is at the Art Institute of Chicago at Michigan Avenue and Monroe through September 22, 2024. General admission plus an extra fee for the exhibit is required. For details visit Georgia O’Keeffe: “My New Yorks” | The Art Institute of Chicago (artic.edu)

Reno Lovison

(For more about Georgia O’Keefe visit Fun Facts.)

Art Fest season is here

When the weather in the Chicago area turns balmy (and lately, flowing,) it’s as if Mary Poppins has her finer to the wind saying time to see what the artists have been doing all winter. The art events are a chance to see some historic neighborhoods, parks and special places in Chicago and its suburbs. So, starting this weekend, here are three art fairs to put on the calendar for June. They all feature paintings, photography, pottery plus jewelry and handmade items.

Old Town Art Fair

When: June 8, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and June 9, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Where: Old Town Triangle District with North Gate at Lincoln Ave and Lincoln Park West and Main Gate Lincoln and Wisconsin. (1763 N. North Park Ave.)

What: More than 200 artists. For directions see GETTING HERE – 2024 Old Town Art Fair – Chicago . The fair is a fundraiser for Old Town and area non profits with $12 as a suggested donation.

(Photo courtesy of Amdur Productions)

Gold Coast Art Fair (but not on Chicago’s Gold Coast)

When: Celebrating 66 years the fair is June 15-16 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Where: In Grant Park’s Butler Field at South Lake Shore Drive and East Monroe Street.

Cost: $10 ahead, $15 day of

What: About 250 artists

Other Info. Getting there scroll down to event details for parking andCTA info

Naperville Fine Art and Artisan Fair

When: June 29-30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Where: Naper Settlement, 523 Webster St., Naperville

What: 120 artists

April events to know and go

EXPO Chicago (2023) at Navy Pier (Photo by Justin Barbin)

After experiencing the extraordinary solar eclipse, other good, yet less unusual April events are likely to be missed. But two art experiences are on this month’s agenda for people who appreciate and enjoy really special artistic events.

EXPO Chicago

Expo Chicago, both an exhibit of the best art examples filling the top contemporary and modern galleries in 29 countries, and art programs, are going on now, April 11 through April 14, 2024 at Navy Pier and several Chicago area locations.

Begun in 2012, Expo Chicago, brings 170 international galleries to Chicago. This year, they come from Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

For more information see ArtWeek.

Among the local participating museums and institutions are the Art Institute of Chicago, Peninsula Chicago, Art on the Mart, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Driehaus Museum and the Block Museum of Art on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus in addion tgo the Barely Fair at the Color Club at 4146 N. Elston. A loop shuttle will run between some of those venues. See ESPO Chicago. Visit Alignments.

One of a Kind

Also in April is the One of A Kind Spring Show April 26-28, 2024. Held at The Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza at the Chicago River between Wells and Franklin Street, it features, 350 artists, makers and designers in such areas as glass, furniture, sculpture, paintings and gourmet food. For more information visit Attend/One of a kind.

Jodie Jacobs

Holiday gift sources

We’re past Black Friday and Cyber Monda but there are still gifts to get so here are some ideas for in person and on line shopping.

In Person

The “One of a Kind Holiday Show is at The Mart this weekend from Thursday through Sunday. The show, which returns in late spring, brings back the fun of shopping without the stress.

There are more than 500 artists (think major art fair plus) that includes clever, hand-crafted, cooking utensils and gorgeous glass items. But it also has food booths of candy, spices and other delectables. Hours: Dec. 7-9, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 10 – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

For tickets and more information call 800-677Mart or see Attend | One of a Kind Show (oneofakindshowchicago.com)

The Mart is at the Chicago River between Orleans and Wells Streets. The show is on the 7^th Floor.

On Line – Museum shops

If downtown Chicago, make the trip a museum destination as a two-for so you enjoy an exhibition and pick up gifts. Many of the Cit y’s top museums have on-line gift stores so you can shop at your best time.

Art Institute of Chicago

Among the best museum stores, at AIC you can find items at many price points from a Pablo Picasso scarf for $190 to cute Georges Seurat “Sunday on La Grand Jatte” socks for $16. For more ideas visit Museum Shop.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago

Jewlery, puzzles, home décor are at all price points ranging from a Frida Kahlo puzzle for $19.99 to a Midnight Crescent Petite necklace for $180.00. For these items and more ideas visit MCA Shop.

Happy Shopping

Jodie Jacobs

Port Clinton and Deer Path art fairs to browse and shop

End summer with two excellent art shows that are worth a drive to the northern suburbs the next two weekends.

Mark Aug. 26-27 on the calendar for the 2023 Port Clinton Art Festival – Amdur Productions. Annually attracting collectors and art show lovers for 40 years and ranked among the best shows in the country, it runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Highland Park, IL

What to expect: 240 artists showcasing paintings, sculpture, glass, fabric, metal, wood art, jewelry, ceramics and photography. In addition, there are art demo stations, a Kid Zone that includes spin art, drawing and sand sculpture. Of course, there are food booths and live music.

Labor Day Weekend is the smaller, about 120 exhibitors but really good, juried Deer Path Art League’s 68^th Art Fair on the Square. Located in the historic downtown of Lake Forest, it runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 3-4. For more information visit About the Show | Deer Path Art League.

Jodie Jacobs