Chicago is one of America’s biggest cities, an economic and cultural hub that harbors some of the great art museums in the nation. While many different places in Chicago offer great year-round art displays, like the Art Institute of Chicago or the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, one temporary event makes Chicago one of the centers of the art world. This event is Expo Chicago, and after cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, the show is returning at a new time of year for an incredible contemporary art event.
Expo Chicago is a huge exposition that features contemporary and modern art from leading local, national, and international galleries. It celebrates Chicago’s history as a cutting-edge city of art, culture, design, and technology. This year, the expo will take place from April 7th-10th, which is the first time it has been featured as a spring event. Expo Chicago will be set at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, a prime location in Chicago’s downtown waterfront center.
This will be the ninth year that Expo Chicago has taken place, and it draws a large crowd of art enthusiasts, artists, curators, and industry insiders. Single-day General Admission tickets are currently on sale for $30, or for $50, attendees can receive a guided tour. This is a large event with many different curated displays and exhibits, so a guided tour may help attendees get the most out of the occasion. For students and seniors, $5 off single admission tickets are available.
There are galleries at this event from across the country and the world. While the expected appearances from galleries from New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago highlight the best that the United States has to offer, there are many galleries that give this an international flair. Galleries will be present from places like Beijing, Cape Town, London, Rio De Janeiro, and Tokyo, which will give this event a truly global flavor.
There are many different ways to explore this event. You can stroll around the Galleries section, which features displays from many of the aforementioned art galleries, with this event typically drawing out over 100 galleries showcasing innovative and unique modern art. The Exposure section features solo and two-artist presentations from galleries ten years or younger, highlighting some emerging art talent.
In the Profile section, attendees can find solo booths and projects that display ambitious installments. This area also has more themed curations, which will add a new element to attendees’ explorations. The Special Exhibitions section will feature selected institutions, museums, and organizations in a specifically highlighted display.
There is a lot to do at this event beyond browsing incredible contemporary works from emerging and established industry talent. There are various programs at the event that will add to the experience. The Dialogues program is an enlightening offering that will feature panel discussions and speeches from important figures on the contemporary art scene, including artists, curators, designers, and art professionals. They’ll discuss current issues and trends that are defining the trajectory of the industry.
One of the events for Expo Chicago that can be appreciated without even attending the occasion is In/Situ Outside. This initiative corresponds with the great Chicago tradition of public art, as well-known contemporary creators present temporary public art installations that break boundaries across the Lakefront. You can find an indoor version of this called In/Situ at the event, where a carefully curated display of large-scale sculpture, video, film, and medium-shifting art will make for an astonishing display of contemporary creation.
If you are an art enthusiast in the Chicago area, Expo Chicago is a one-of-a-kind event that is perfect for you. Drawing in a significant international audience, this event highlights modern art creators on the cutting edge of the industry and curates some incredible displays that showcase their talents. Featuring artists and galleries from around the world, Expo Chicago is an event that pushes forward Chicago’s deeply respected art scene. After two straight years of disappointing cancellations, Chicago residents and artists alike can look forward to the return of Expo Chicago.
