If you haven’t made it out to ARC Gallery’s current exhibitions, you have until next Saturday, February 2^nd to view these impressive works. The gallery offers viewers the chance to see the works of artists, Granite Amit, Nicole McCormick Santiago, and Christopher Fraser.

 Granite Amit                                   

Hereticha Be’Eynecha

Hereticha Be'eynecha is an audio video installation by Granite Amit. Using large-scale prints on translucent surfaces, Amit processes texts and ancient melodies from the Hebrew Bible and focuses on a textual junction within the narrative: the end of the journey in the wilderness and the beginning of the narrative of the story of the creation. The positioning of the visual text with the ancient melodies provides the viewer to connect the responsibilities of both its natural and human surroundings.

Nicole McCormick Santiago                       

Paintings and Drawings

Nicole McCormick Santiago's Paintings and Drawings is a juxtaposition of past, present, and future narratives, as they move around each other in each scene. This communicates a scattered, yet very honest insight into daily life.               

Christopher Fraser                                   

Trust the Photograph

Christopher Fraser's paintings are figurative, selected from images that incite an emotional response, or effuse an apparent subliminal understanding that is obvious. The portraits capture a self-awareness as portrayed through life. With sweeping brushstrokes, Fraser is able to go further into this self-awareness than with a simple snapshot, as he is in constant dialogue with his image.                                    

If you really want the full experience, come to the gallery’s closing reception this Friday, January 25^th.  ARC and Amit have teamed up to honor the memory of Darius McGraw, who worked with Amit and ARC on the “Recurrent Dream” project. Youth from McGraw’s community will present a hip-hop performance, followed by reflections from Camille Odeh.

ARC Gallery

Through February 2

2156 N. Damen Avenue


Chicago, IL 60647

773-252-2232

 www.arcgallery.org

Even though in Chicago the weather has been a bit rainy and grey, the holidays are approaching and bringing a new year; we know the snow will be here soon enough!

Chicago Gallery News is excited and ready to celebrate the New Year with our upcoming January-March issue, packed with events and openings in 2012! Grab your copy soon, and visit our website to check for the winter openings schedule, to be posted soon.

You don’t have to wait until January to get out and about though, and December’s not over yet. CGN has a list of things to do to keep you busy for the next couple of weeks when, hopefully, you have a little free time to enjoy the city.

See a movie

at the Gene Siskel Film Center

Regular movie theaters will be noisy and crowded this season, so why not venture to another theater like the Gene Siskel Film Center? December offers opportunities to see anything from Le Havre, a feel good film where a shoeshine man shields an African illegal immigrant child from the law, to The Interrupters, directed by Steve James, director of Hoop Dreams, in collaboration with the author of There Are No Children Here and more.

Visit siskelfilmcenter.org for schedules. 

Stop by a gallery

Roots and Culture is presenting an exhibition of international artists through January 8, with a Q+A session December 18 at 2pm to mark the occasion of International Migrant’s Day.

• 1034 N. Milwaukee

65GRAND exhibits Bob Jones through December 31^st in a show called Mountains and matte.  The work featured is in between sculpture and painting.

Bob Jones

• 1369 W. Grand 

Devening Projects and Exhibitions presents Mark Booth: The Sea is Represented by an Irregular Shape until January 29^th.   Booth is a Chicago based artist and received his MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

• 3039 W. Carroll

Hear Holiday Music

Stop by the Harold Washington Library downtown to hear holiday concerts throughout the month.  December 15 at 2pm in the library’s grand lobby the Chicago Bar Association Symphony and Chorus performs.

• 400 S. State

Listen

At the Poetry Foundation on December 16 at 7pm Kenneth Goldsmith, poet, DJ, essayist, and UbuWeb founder, will be presenting “My Career in Poetry or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Institution,” a talk about poetic community, ambition, and his new book Uncreative Writing.

• 61 W. Superior

 Hop on the Holiday Express

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, from 10-6 until January 1^st visit the 10,000 sq foot miniature train that winds through Chicago landmarks including Navy Pier, Soldier Field, The Art Institute and Chinatown. The Joutras Gallery will also feature a gingerbread house display. See thousands of festive lights decorating the gardens inside and out! On select days hear carolers and participate in family activities. Visit chicagobotanic.org for more details and to purchase tickets.

Don’t miss the last opportunity of 2011 to shop at the Farmers’ Market at the Botanic Garden.  On December 18 from 10-2 the gardens host a winter farmers’ market with local vendors. It’s a perfect opportunity to purchase some green friendly holiday presents, stock up on your local favorites for the winter, or pick up a few ingredients for your holiday dinner. Expect to see a range of items from free-range meat to veggies, baked goods, handmade pottery, flowers, and soaps! 

Learn more about all of these events and more at chicagogallerynews.com  

Attention art lovers! The holiday season has arrived and we’re inviting you to celebrate in an artsy way. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of terrific holiday prices on fine art all over Chicago for every budget! Give the lasting gift of art to a loved one or treat yourself this holiday season.

Chicago Gallery News is offering you a special insider guide on where to find this season’s specials.

Galleries Maurice Sternberg

This well-known gallery has 25 beautiful paintings starting at just $2,000.  Visit their space in the John Hancock Center at 875 North Michigan and enjoy an arty getaway when you’re in the hustle and bustle of Michigan Ave.

galleriesmauricesternberg.com  

Don Southard  

Nicholas Kilmer 

Project Onward

Friday, December 9, 12-5; Saturday, December 10, 10-4

This program at the Chicago Cultural Center is hosting a Holiday Sale and Portrait Slam, selling original artwork, hand-painted ornaments, decorated cards, and creating customized portraits (artists are willing to work from photographs too).

www.ExploreChicago.org

Roy Boyd Gallery

Dec 11 + 12, 1-6pm

The gallery is opening up their storeroom for you!

Ann and Roy from Roy Boyd Gallery will be displaying work that has been shown in the gallery over the past few decades –some works will be familiar + others a surprise-stop by for this unique peek! Royboydgallery.com

Chicago Urban Arts Society

Dec 18, 12-5pm

CUAS has last minute holiday shoppers covered - they’re hosting the Windy City Artist Alley, where artists, printmakers, illustrators + DIY artists who work in all genres and styles will set up, ready to fill your last minute shopping needs. It’s a great opportunity to check CUAS’s new space too at 600 W Cermak Rd.

chicagourbanartsociety.org

J2 Gallery

The gallery is offering a 20% discount off all limited Edition Reproductions by L. Lee Junge. And there’s no need to wait in line-order online at j2gallery.com and get free shipping using the promo code: LT0C9P

Additionally, photographer, David Mayhew is offering high quality limited Edition photographs both framed and unframed beginning at $110! Call 773-227-7900 for more info. 

L. Lee Junge 

David Mayhew 

Illinois Artisans Program Holiday Art Spree

December 14-16,10-3:30

Meet 20 artisans, learn about their craft, and purchase one-of-kind pieces at the 3-day Holiday Art Spree at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph at the Clark/Lake El Stop.  See an assortment of work from hand-woven table settings, printmaking, glass, paintings, and jewelry!  kschneider@museum.state.il.us

Explore more art online and stay up to date on art events throughout the year at Chicagogallerynews.com  

   Krisanne Johnson  

Glass Curtain Gallery presents Black Gossamer, a group exhibition opening November 17^th where several artists are exploring black identity.

Glass Curtain Gallery comments, “An anxiousness exists among people of color because there is still an expectation to "perform," explain and react to one's Blackness in society, maybe even make excuses for it, both within and outside "black" culture. One outlet utilized to express this dichotomy is through dress.”

“This exhibition showcases the work of black contemporary artists who use and draw inspiration from clothing, fashion, textiles and fabrications to explore and uncover recent revolutions in black identity.” (Class Curtain Gallery)  

 Wangechi Mutu 

Black Gossamer exhibits an impressive collection of work from several artists, including New York based Kenyan artist, Wangechi Mutu. Mutu’s work has been shown in venues such as: the Tate Modern, Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, MOMA, P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, and at the Royal Academy in London.

Other artists include: Aisha Bell, Sheila Bridges, Myra Greene, Marlon Griffith, Krisanne Johnson, Kalup Linzy, Ebony G. Patterson (colum.edu/Student_Life/DEPS/)

Black Gossamer will include multiple opportunities to attend gallery talks and hear from some of the artists as well as curator, Camille Morgan. See below for a list of corresponding events.

Marlon Griffith, LOUIS (from the Powder Box School Girl series), 2009 

Located at 1104 S. Wabash on the 1^st floor of the historic Ludington building at Columbia College, Glass Curtain Gallery exhibits emerging and mid career artists. By presenting museum-quality exhibitions, workshops, and visiting artist lectures, Glass Curtain acts as a catalyst in the dialogue for students in the arts. 

Ebony G. Patterson 

For more information about the exhibition click here 

Exhibition Programming

November 17: Opening Reception 5:00-8:00pm

November 18 : "Taboo Fashion and Chameleon Identities" Gallery Artist Talk with Artists Aisha Bell and Ebony G. Patterson, 11-12:30pm

November 22: Critical Encounters Cafe Society discussion with artist Myra Greene and Curator, 4-6pm

February 1: Closing Reception - African American Heritage Month Kickoff Celebration, 5:30 - 7:30pm

This weekend is an exciting time for art lovers in Chicago. The annual SOFA CHICAGO is back, now with an extra emphasis on art & design. Visit Navy Pier Friday-Sunday to see a wide range of art presented by international galleries and dealers. You’ll find many rare objects and works of art, as well as have access to outstanding lectures. Experts are around every corner, so the opportunities to learn and explore are endless. Once again SOFA is partnering with The Intuit Show of Folk & Outsider Art, so you may enjoy two fairs under a single roof. 

Visit sofaexpo.com to learn more about special exhibits and lectures at the fair to get the most out of your visit. This year’s lectures (click here for info) range from The Bluffer’s Guide to European Jewelry to Cartooning In Conflict: An Illustration of the Futility of War and It's the End of the World As We Know It...But My Art is Fine! A guide to protecting your art. Most of the lectures take place Friday and Saturday, with just one on Sunday, so plan ahead if you’re hoping to get in on the learning. Lectures are included with admission.  Tickets to the fair are available online, or at the door.  

There is certainly enough activity to keep you busy all three days this weekend.  Play hooky and come to the fair on Friday, or just wait until after work and catch some gallery openings Friday evening. Chicago Gallery News is providing a courtesy shuttle between SOFA, the Museum of Contemporary Art + the River North Gallery District all weekend. The shuttles will take you to openings on Friday.  On Saturday evening, there will be an extra stop at KM Fine Arts for their special fall exhibition, Eyes Wide Shut. KM Fine Arts is located on the 25^th floor the John Hancock Center, so you’ll have a fabulous view of the city and the lakefront from the gallery, not to mention cocktails! 

Several galleries in the River North District will have extended hours all weekend (including on Sunday!) and many will be holding opening receptions Friday evening. Take the free shuttle to Franklin + Superior and enjoy the opportunity to visit the culturally rich River North District where streets are lined with galleries and great restaurants. 

River North Gallery District

SOFA + Shuttle Hours

Friday: 11am-7pm  •  Shuttle: 12-7pm

Saturday 11am-7pm  •  Shuttle: 12-7pm

Sunday 12-6pm  •  Shuttle: 11am-2pm

For more information about SOFA and galleries visit: Chicagogallerynews.com