So far, the various art salon dinners around the city have not gotten old, since the rotating cast of artists, as well as dining venues, keeps changing, offering cool locations and destinations to check out. Artist Rene Romero Schuler hosts the Art Salon Dinners of the North Shore at two different restaurants, and next up is a dinner at Evanston’s Campagnola, featuring Stephanie Dean’s still-life photographs inspired by Dutch still life paintings. Dean’s latest series, Modern Groceries, features packaged foods we toss into our grocery carts illuminated by a very specific art-historical context. Dean’s technical elegance makes her mundane subjects beguiling. Notice the sticker on the apple, a bag of plastic cups, a jar of pickles, and a container of hydroponic lettuce. The items seem classic and familiar because of joint references to Dutch painting as well as our own modern kitchen table.
Most of us discover, at some point while living in Chicago, that Evanston, while considered a ‘suburb’, is in fact:
a. Basically 15 minutes from downtown via Lake Shore Drive
b. Cool - it's a far cry from a stereotypical quiet, cookie-cutter suburb. Take advantage of a chance to take a trip there for an arty dinner, and you’ll no doubt come back to the city refreshed by your little mini-break.
The Salon Dinner construct is loosely modeled on the precedent established by Gertrude Stein, the enigmatic and influential art dealer who lived in Paris in the early 20th Century. The format of these very lush dinners allows for a much greater level of intimacy between the artist, collectors, and other arts enthusiasts. 6:30pm cocktails will be followed by an exquisite dinner inspired by the installation. Accompanying each course comes a special wine pairing. You’ll meet other art-enthusiasts and foodies, and you’ll be sure to learn a lot in a relaxed, sophisticated setting that spices up your normal routine.
Art Salon Dinners of the North Shore
Contact: Rene Romero Schuler
312-952-3005
• Friday, October 15: Stephanie Dean, Modern Groceries
Campagnola Restaurant in Evanston (815 Chicago Avenue)
Cost: $80/person, includes, dinner, wine, tax and gratuity
Space is limited. All are welcome.
• Friday, November 12: Elisa Boughner (location TBD)
• Friday, January 14: Rene Romero Schuler (location TBD)
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