A new art fair is making its debut in Chicago this week, bringing dozens of galleries and a broad selection of contemporary, modern and fine art to THE MART in River North.
The inaugural Chicago Art Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7 through Saturday, Oct. 10 at THE MART, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza. The four-day event is designed to connect galleries with collectors, art advisors, designers, architects, corporate buyers and art enthusiasts from Chicago and throughout the Midwest, according to the event's website.
The fair opened with a VIP and press preview from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday. Public hours begin Thursday, with the fair open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday.
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The fair will feature a select roster of galleries presenting paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, prints and installations. The lineup includes Chicago galleries such as McCormick Gallery, Hilton Contemporary, Richard Norton Gallery and Stephen Daiter Gallery, alongside exhibitors from New York as well as international studios. Special projects by artists Agnes Beleznay and Graham Hobart are also planned.
For Chicago, the event adds another major gathering to a city already known for its museums, galleries, architecture and collecting community. Organizers are positioning the fair not only as a marketplace for established collectors, but also as an opportunity for first-time buyers and art enthusiasts to meet gallery owners, learn about artists and explore works across a range of styles and price points.
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The choice of THE MART as the venue also places the fair at the intersection of Chicago's art, architecture and design communities. The landmark building is home to hundreds of design showrooms and regularly hosts major trade and consumer events, making it a natural setting for a gallery-focused event aimed at collectors and design professionals.
The fair's organizers describe the event on their website as intentionally gallery-focused, with participation limited to galleries in an effort to emphasize presentation, collector engagement and business development. The goal is to establish a new destination where the city's longstanding design and collecting culture can intersect with galleries from across the country and abroad.
One-day tickets are currently priced at $32.50 per person for regular admission, with discounted $22 entrance fees for students, seniors, and military personnel.
As Chicago's fall cultural calendar gets underway, the inaugural Chicago Art Fair will offer visitors four days to browse artwork, meet exhibitors and discover both emerging and established artists, all inside one of the city's most recognizable commercial landmarks.
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