Have plans this weekend?
If your options are the same as all the weekends of the past five years—mediocre movies, pricey restaurants or catching up on Facebook—ponder the following as a fun, inexpensive night out: art openings.
What used to be considered hobnobbing with the rich and famous has morphed into an innovative night out where collectors, art novices and those who just enjoy people watching gather for a mixture of shock, beauty and a generally good time.
Many gallery openings happen on the same Friday night, so you can stroll from one gallery to the next to see a wide variety of art, including paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed media and often something you could never have predicted. Virtually all offer wine and nibbles, and depending on the weather and time of year, a large and diverse crowd can gather to look at new and visually interesting work, meet with friends, move about and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Welcome, One and All!
A common misconception is that art openings are uptight affairs aimed at the serious collector intending to view and purchase artwork. In reality, the opposite is true. A serious collector, one who has their eye on the market and has been vying for a particular piece, will check out the art before the opening and choose the piece that best fits their collection ahead of the crowds. This is great news, because with the major collectors out of the way, it allows the other players such as gallery owners, artists and curious newcomers alike to enjoy the opening for what it is: a celebration.
Whatever the material or career level of the artist, for certain they have worked long and hard on putting together a body of work. The opening is the artist’s chance to enjoy a job well done, breathe a huge sigh of relief and bring the new body of work out of the studio and into the light of day for everyone to see, consider, question, enjoy and celebrate. So, join in! Raise a glass and drink to the art.
Ask Away
In my experience, artists encourage and want questions from anyone who has never seen their work before. They welcome a fresh pair of eyes and the chance to explain their work to someone new. Rather than being a stuffy to-do, an art opening is a great opportunity to grab a friend and head to River North or West Loop and move amongst the masses in the spirit of fun, joy and the chance to learn something interesting.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when heading to an art gallery opening:
1. You ARE one of us. If this is your first time, remember, art is for everyone, not just the elite. The minute you walk through the door you will realize that you fit right in because—hey!—you can hold your own in a room full of fun-loving enthusiasts, and that’s all it takes.
2. Check any ‘tude at the door. Your mood is as important as anything. If you go in with the attitude that the prices and work are completely impractical, you buzz kill the evening for yourself. Go with an open mind, have a drink, mingle with new people, and you’ll have a great time for the cost of parking on the streets of Chicago.
3. Great dress! People watching can be as fun as the artwork. Go with an open mind as well as an open, roaming eye and take it all in, including the crowd.
4. Laugh, drink, be merry AND learn a thing or two. Don’t be too shy to say hello to the artist and ask any question that comes to mind. They might just pour their soul to you, adding to the overall neat experience of the night.
Below is a smattering of art openings in May. However, at the time of this writing, most May opening receptions weren’t yet solidified. For more openings, check Chicago Gallery News, the bible for gallery listings in both the city and suburbs.
Michigan Avenue
Bert Green Fine Art
Jennifer Mills
Rebecca Grey Smith
- May 3 to June 21
- Opening Reception: Saturday, May 3 from 5-8 p.m.
- Closing Reception: Saturday, June 21 from 5-8 p.m.
- Artist Talks by Jennifer Mills and Rebecca Gray Smith: Saturday, June 21 at 6 p.m.
River North
Jean Albano Gallery
Zack Wirsum: Paintings
- May 2 to June 21
- Opening Reception: Friday, May 2
Catherine Edelman Gallery
Elizabeth Ernst: Mirror Mirror
- May 2 to July 3
- Opening Reception with artist: Friday, May 2 from 5–7 p.m.
- Artist Talk in the Gallery: Saturday, May 3 at noon
West Loop
Linda Warren Projects
Gallery Y: William Eckhardt Kohler
Gallery X: Judith Mullen
- May 23 to July 5
- Opening Reception: Friday, May 23
McCormick Gallery
Gallery One: Perle Fine: Works on Paper
Gallery Two: Lisa Nankivil: New Paintings
- May 2 to June 14
- Check for opening reception date
North Side
Chicago Printmakers Collaborative
Annual Ginormous $20 Cash ‘N Carry Sale
- May 23 to June 21
- Opening weekend: May 23 and 24, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days
Suburbs
The Art Center Highland Park
Vivian Maier: A Photographic Journey
- May 8 to July 12
- Opening Reception: Saturday, May 17 from 6:30-9 p.m.
The Art Center–Highland Park is proud to present the work of one of the greatest photographers of the 20th Century: Vivian Maier. Featuring extraordinary black and white images of Chicago, Highland Park, and urban America during the 1950s and ’60s. Photographs are courtesy of Jeffrey Goldstein/Vivian Maier Prints, Inc.
- May 8 to July 12
- Opening Reception: Saturday, May 17 from 6:30-9 p.m.
David E. Dallison recently spent five month traveling and painting throughout Vietnam creating a major body of new watercolors. This exhibit offers a refreshed view of this beautiful Southeast Asian country and its people for whom the war is a distant foot note. His journey from South through North Vietnam explores the stunning landscapes and intense working class coastal life that so defines Vietnam.
©2014
Elysabeth Alfano, Former Chicago Gallery Owner and Executive Producer and Host of the monthly show, Fear No ART presents The Dinner Party.
