• From our May-August 2013 print edition of Chicago Gallery News:

Members and leaders of the art world may be generous, but art itself can often be the most benevolent force for change and healing. 

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) runs a renowned patient Art Therapy program, one of the only ones of its kind in the country. When pediatric and adult patients access art therapy during their hospital stay, it further enhances the healing process. Currently RIC’s Art Therapy program employs an Art Therapist on site, and delivers more than 700 hours of art therapy services to individuals and groups of patients.  

The annual benefit to support this unique program, ArtFutura: Art in Motion, is hosted by the RIC Associate Board. The opening night party on May 30 will showcase work for sale by artists from around the country, juried by Art Institute of Chicago curator James Rondeau. ArtFutura features unique, personal works by RIC patients well. Also highlighted are emerging artists and entertainers from action artists to modern dancers. 

Opening Party Thurs, May 30, 2013, 5-9pm 

Exhibition on view May 30-June 6

303 E. Superior, Chicago, IL 60611

www.ric.org/artfutura

A party-goer admires 2012 First Prize Winner by CJ Hungerman

An RIC patient and artist 

More than 60 works of art will be featured in this year's Renaissance Society gala and art auction, during which, Director Susanne Ghez's 40 years of leadership will be honored.  The auction will be held Saturday, September 8 in the Atlantic Ballroom of the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel (221 N. Columbus Drive); online preview opens August 15, and advance bids will be accepted. 

"Driven by curiosity, intelligence, and a profound respect for the artist, Ghez’s work has had a lasting impact on Chicago and the larger arts community," the Renaissance Society's website states.  The Renaissance Society was founded in 1915 and many herald it as one of the top museums leading edge contemporary art in the U.S. 

The auction will include works by several international artists, such as Nina Beier (Denmark), Matthew Cerletty (New York), Edith Dekyndt (Belgium), Tomoo Gokita (Japan), Kaspar Müller (Switzerland), Henrik Olesen (Germany), among many more. Here's a sneak peek.

For more information on The Renaissance Society and the annual benefit auction, click here.

photos by Jason Smith, 2011

It looks like Chicago is really getting serious about its cultural development. This April, yet another opportunity has presented itself to become a part of facilitating the maintenance and stimulation of visual arts in Chicago. In addition to the Chicago Cultural Plan that I mentioned earlier, (see: Chicago Cultural Plan Version 2.0) Hyde Park Art Center invites you to their 11th annual Spring Gala on April 14th, in honor of Dawoud Bey, Anita Blanchard, and Martin H. Nesbitt— three influential role models who have invested their careers in Chicago’s cultural community. Joined by honorary gala chair, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and co-chairs, Penny Pritzker, Bryan Traubert, and Madeline Murphy Rabb, the Art Center celebrates art, artists, and its own dedication to making change in such a flourishing and diverse community.
The event will be located at the Art Center from 7-11pm and includes, cocktails, Hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dancing, and a curated live auction conducted by Sotheby’s, Helyn Goldenberg.

Hyde Park Art Center is an open space that provides educational opportunities, public programming for adults and families, and exhibition space for creative minds and innovative artists to show work and gather collectively. Founded in 1939, the Art Center emphasizes learning and diversity within its community. 

All proceeds from this event will be given to support Hyde Park Art Center’s education, exhibition, and outreach programs that help art-makers and those curious about art, continue to see, learn, discuss, and make art.

Hyde Park Art Center
5020 S. Cornell Ave
Chicago, IL 60615
Individual Tickets: Patron $350, Sustainer $500, Benefactor $1,000  

Yes, collecting art really is something you can 'learn' to do. Collecting art is not so much complicated as intimidating, and the recent Collectors Colloquium was launched as a way to provide interested art enthusiasts with an overview of the art world and to give access to some local experts who can share their wisdom and insights.  At the end of the course, participants will have learned some basics, met others who are also interested in art, and hopefully seen first hand how open and welcoming our art scene is. Art collecting isn't really a 101 course you can check off your list and be done with - Ah ha!  I've learned how to spot the most valuable up-and-coming artists in order to make my investing forture! - it's a very personal, subjective experience that depends on your own taste and interests.  Everyone says it, but it's true. You should buy the best art that you can afford, and you should buy work that you love - ie: you're willing to live with it and enjoy it for a very long time.   But there are some helpful starting points to developing your eye and making smarter choices.  Most people need some kind of direction to get started.  Like any other dynamic topic, discussion is a big part of the learning process.  If you've joined us already, we're pleased to have you along for the journey, as you are well on your way to a rewarding life-long pursuit to living a unique life by having art as a part of your life.  If you haven't had a chance to join us yet, there's still time!  And we of course would like to offer more classes like this in the future.  To be notified of future collecting groups, please email us. Chicago is home to many unique galleries, artists and cultural institutions, and there are a wealth of creative resources to explore and make your own.  Welcome to the journey!

- CGN

SESSIONS TO DATE:

• A Passion for Collecting - Discussions with younger collectors who have been in the game for awhile and who have their own very personal stories of art and collecting passions.  Panelists shared their collecting philosophies as well as resources.

• In the White Cube - An evening with area art dealers who've nurtured the careers of younger artists, developed friendships with collectors, and those who have worked to spotlight emerging artists as well as those who may have been overlooked. 

• On the Auction Block - an evening with art experts at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, one of the area's most visible and successful auction operations.  Collectors learned the sport of buying at auction as well as the sophisticated nature of the auction treasure hunt (and the spectacular values one can find!)

NEXT UP 

• Eye for Hire (February 28, 2012 hosted by Kavi Gupta Gallery, 835 W. Washington)
This session will provide an overview of the art advisory profession, and help attendees understand why collectors hire art advisors. 

• Art as Investment + The (Art) Fair Game (March 27, 2012)
This session will provide an overview of how and why works of art appreciate.  We'll also cover some highlights of the local and national art fair scene and provide an overview of how to navigate an art fair, particularly now that you've met some other like-minded art enthusiasts!

Participants are still welcome to attend on an indiviudal as well as video basis - please email info@chicagogallerynews.com for more information.

The Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) offers an engaging range of exhibitions throughout the year, and like many arts institutions, their programming is possible due in part to the support from donors.  This Friday, the museum is holding their annual benefit auction to drum up that critical support.  Guests will be able to enjoy a festive party while mingling with other photography fans and artists. And the auction is tough to beat, as always.

After the benefit, MoCP is offering their current exhibition, Current Unseen, as well as an upcoming screening and lecture. Read on for all the details. 

The Party 

MoCP’s annual gala and auction this Friday, November 18th begins at 6pm at 301 N Justine St. This year’s theme is prohibition, so get ready for a night full of custom cocktails and rich art. The silent auction offers fine prints by established and emerging artists, and helps support the world of contemporary photography.

Click HERE for a preview 

You may bid on works by artists such as John Baldessari, Penelope Umbrico,  Theun van Rees, and more

Also available during the bidding are several photo ‘experiences,’ including personal portrait sessions with photographer Dawoud Bey and filmmaker/photographer Sandro. You can also bid on a behind the scenes tour of Christie’s, New York for you and a friend!  Absentee bids are welcome (call Jeff Arnett at 312.369.7779 to place a bid. He’s super helpful and really nice.)  Click HERE to purchase tickets 

Olivo Barbieri 

John Sparagana  

At the Museum:

Crime Unseen, MOCP’s current exhibition will run until January 15^th.

Featuring the work of 8 artists who actively engage with myth and reality as they question the roles of memory, the media, and evidence in solving and remembering crime. All of the artists in Crime Unseen grapple with a retelling of disturbing crimes. Using photography and other methods, the artists reactivate historical material and open it up to further contemplation. By drawing on techniques of photojournalism, forensic photography, and documentary landscape (Karen Irvine, Curator and Associate Director). 

Angela Strassheim, Evidence #11 

Upcoming Events

November 30^th from 6-9pm, in conjunction with Crime Unseen, MOCP will screen video work by artists considering the potential for everyday objects, ordinary surroundings and average people to become evidence of something beyond the familiar.

December 1^st at 7pm at the Glessner House Museum, Corinne May Botz will give a lecture about her Nutshell Series of Unexplained Death. Botz photographed a series of miniature crime scene models that were built in the 1940s and 50s by progressive criminologist and heiress Frances Glessner Lee to help detectives learn to better assess visual evidence.  

The Museum of Contemporary Photography is free and is located at 600 S Michigan Ave Hours are: Mon-Sa, 10am – 5pm, Thur 10-8pm+ Sun 12-5pm