It’s almost here…  Chicago’s BIG opening night is just a week away.  Friday, September 7 promises to be a night jam-packed with fresh exhibitions, art and energy – found all over the city.  CGN’s Openings page has over three dozen gallery receptions listed, and there will be even more art-activity buzzing all around the city all night long.

September 7 will be a huge opening night with a ‘back-to-school’ feeling for galleries and art spaces after the summer months, and it’s just the start of a busy art-filled fall here in Chicago.  Later in the month, the city will welcome Expo Chicago to Navy Pier, September 20-23.  Stay tuned for more details on related programming during the fair including complimentary shuttles, special events, receptions and more. 

October is Chicago Artists Month (CAM), and we’re looking forward to this year’s range of events planned city-wide.  The 17^th annual CAM featured artists include Andrew Arvanetes, Hebru Brantley, Brandy Barker, Mary Ellen Croteau, Jim Duignan, Ian Ferguson, Ben Foch + Chelsea Culp, Sergio Gomez, Seana Higgins, Regin Igloria, Preston Jackson, Jeremiah Lee, Victoria Martinez, Anne McNamee, Dobrila Pintar, John Preus, Laura Shaeffer, and Selina Trepp. 

Save the date for two special CGN Saturday Gallery Tours taking place Saturday, October 13.  The River North and West Loop tours are featured CAM events including galleries that will be exhibiting work done by Chicago artists including William Conger, Betty Cleeland, Gladys Nilsson, Casey Gunschel, Brenda Moore, David Reninger and others.  See the full list of CAM events here.   

Also taking place in October is the 23rd International Sculpture Conference: Process, Patron, Public; October 4-6 at the Chicago Cultural Center and at The School of the Art Institue of Chicago.  The Antiques + Modernsim Winnetka show will run October 19-21 at the Winnetka Community House. 

We’ll head back to Navy Pier in November for the 19^th annual SOFA CHICAGO 2012 exposition.  SOFA will run November 2-4 showcasing masterworks of contemporary and modern art and design, sculpture, functional art, outsider, ethnographic, folk and visionary art, in addition to a lecture series, demos, and related programming.  Many galleries will also host opening receptions during the fair, and CGN will once again help coordinate complimentary shuttles to assist fair visitors in more easily exploring the city’s art destinations. 

In addition to these major art events this fall, CGN’s list of openings and art events is full all season long, and we’ll be adding more entries each week.  Browse the Openings and Calendar pages, pick your favorites and add them to your own calendar.  

We’ll see you in the galleries!

Last night was thankfully not like our dreary day today. It was mild and pleasant for the unveiling of SAIC grad Robert Indiana's HOPE sculpture that will be placed outside of the John Hancock Center, on the northeast corner of Michigan and Delaware until about Valentine's Day 2012.  KM Fine Arts directors Anna Hollinger and Tom Kivisto welcomed the group and celebrated the fact that this sculpture will no doubt become a fixture of the public's art engagement during the next few months. Crowds of visitors will be taking pictures with and around this uplifting installation. 

The artist could not attend the opening after all, as he has been ill the past few months.  The 2,000 lb + installation was there in his place.  HOPE has travelled to other art institutions and destinations around the country so far, and the 'hope' is that some day it will end up in the Smithsonian.  So just in case you're wondering, it's also not for sale. 

Following the unveiling, there was a lovely reception for the gallery's Eyes Wide Shut exhibition on the 25th floor of the Hancock.  The exhibition features European Masters, as well as work by contemporary Spanish artist Lita Cabellut, whose large-scale portraits crackle with drama and intensity. 

The gallery is hosting a second reception this Saturday evening in honor of SOFA.  The public is invited to attend to enjoy drinks and food from 6-9pm.  Free trolleys will take you there from SOFA (Entrance 2 at Navy Pier) and the MCA (220 E Chicago) from 5-7pm.