Before the big fairs get to town next week, a new art fair will debut this weekend in Chicago’s south side / Bridgeport neighborhood. The MDW Fair will be held at the Geolofts (3636 S. Iron Street) and is open to the public on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24.
In collaboration with Version 11, and headed by local threewalls, Roots & Culture, and Public Media Institute, The MDW Fair will feature independent art initiatives, spaces, galleries and artist groups from around Chicago, showcasing the city’s strong and diverse scope of artists and art spaces. Click here for a full list of over 50 participants. This means that everything is pretty new, fresh, independent, even devil-may-care. To read critic Paul Klein's take on the show, and the meaning of a new, edgy fair the weekend before Art Chicago, click here.
Throughout the 25,000 square foot exhibition space, viewers will see a range of exhibitors including for-profit, 501(c)3, commercial / unincorporated galleries, curatorial projects, publishers and media groups, as well as work in an 8,000 square foot sculpture garden.
A number of talks and presentations will take place, some moderated by local podcasters Bad At Sports, raising questions and conversations about various issues on art and artists, fairs and markets, collaborations, and the state of visual arts in Chicago and elsewhere.
Break out your walking shoes and prep yourself for the busy art fair weekend next week - Art Chicago & NEXT, at the Merchandise Mart, April 29-May 2 – by checking out and supporting The MDW Fair this weekend. CGN will be announcing more updates leading up to the fairs next weekend, including info on our trolleys that will run the evening of Saturday, April 30 to many gallery openings - stay tuned!
What: The MDW Fair
Where: Geolofts, 3636 S. Iron Street, Chicago IL 60609
When: Saturday, April 23: 1pm-10pm
Sunday, April 24: 1pm-6pm; $5 Fair Admission
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