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Queer artist Vin Ye prepares installation for SAIC exhibition
Chicago Artist Vin Ye's (they/them) sculptures resist both capitalism and gender roles, all the while challenging expectations of traditional art forms and modern technological art. Queerness interacts with Ye's work ...
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Local queer opera composer premiering her first show, a coming-of-age tale with LGBTQ+ themes
A Lake View woman is debuting her first opera as a composer, a coming-of-age story with LGBTQ+ themes. Gillian Rae Perry, a fellow with the Chicago Opera Theater's Vanguard program for emerging artists, composed The Weight ...
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Queer activism through photography: Exhibit spotlights a 'revolutionary' moment in Chicago history
By Alec Karam
Artists hosted a panel at Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave., on April 20 to celebrate the debut of Images on Which to Build in Chicago, a snapshot of queer history from the '70s to the '90s. The exhibition, now at Chicago ...
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LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project set to hold its second annual exhibition
The LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project will hold its second annual exhibition Friday, April 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Center on Addison, 806 W. Addison St., in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood. This free and open to the ...
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WORLD Nigeria arrest, Chilean murderer, trans ban, Olivier Awards, marriage items
Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC's) decision to arrest well-known transgender woman Idris Okuneye (also known as Bobrisky) over the practice of flaunting money has sparked questions among several ...
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Hubbard Street Dance Chicago announces programs for May 17-19 season finale
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) announced program selections for Spring Series: Of Joy, the final installment of Season 46, Abundance. The engagement will include four unique works, once ...
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ART Thousands attend EXPO CHICAGO at Navy Pier
EXPO CHICAGO: The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art drew thousands when it was held April 11-14 at Navy Pier, as the event continued to expand the parameters of the meaning of art. The exhibit—the ...
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Through a queer lens: Photographer Paul Mpagi Sepuya discusses Chicago exhibition
Paul Mpagi Sepuya is a photographer whose works incorporate several elements, including history, literary modernism and queer collaboration. The art of Sepuya—who is also an associate professor in visual arts ...
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Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison announces inaugural Cook County LGBTQ+ Youth Art Competition
--From a press release
Schaumburg, Ill. — April 9, 2024 — Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison recently announced the firs ever LGBTQ+ Youth Art Competition. The competition's theme is "Pride is Power!" and will set the ton for Pride celebrations ...
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Open Space Arts's COCK offers a complex but compelling take on relationships
By Brian Kirst
Premiering in 2009, Mike Bartlett's COCK was a comic revelation, exploring notions about fluidity and sexual labelling long before they became commonplace discussions. Granted, conversations about these issues will always ...
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City Lit Executive Artistic Director Brian Pastor talks theater, comics, queerness
City Lit Theater has announced its programming for the 2024-25 season—which will be the company's 44th. It will also be the first season to be programmed under the leadership of Brian Pastor (they/them), who will assume ...
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Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance
Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...
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SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, 'P-Valley,' Wendy Williams, Luke Evans, 'Queer Eye,' 'Transition'
Lady Gaga came to the defense of Dylan Mulvaney after a post with the trans influencer/activist for International Women's Day received hateful responses, People Magazine noted. On Instagram, Gaga stated, "It's appalling to me that a ...
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Chicago History Museum announces "Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s - 70s exhibition
--From a press release
CHICAGO (March 14, 2024) — The Chicago History Museum is thrilled to announce its upcoming exhibition, "Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s—70s." Set to open on Saturday, May 18, 2024, this exhibition is ...
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Center on Halsted celebrates Dreams of Drag
On March 9, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., in partnership with the Ralla Klepak Foundation, presented the Dreams of Drag Spring Cohort Class of 2024. The event featured performances from a class of new ...
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Center on Halsted hosts 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show
On the evening of Feb. 29, Center on Halsted held its 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show in front of a packed audience at the Hoover-Leppen Theater. The event brought together participants of the Center's youth and senior ...
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Center on Halsted opens two new art exhibitions
On Feb. 2, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., hosted its latest gallery opening, presenting two solo exhibitions exploring the role of the artist and their relationships with their environments, albeit using vastly different styles. ...
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ART Champaign display looks at the Midwest Black lesbian experience
In Illinois, archival photos are the centerpiece of a new display at the Krannert Art Museum focusing on the Black lesbian experience in the Midwest, IPM reported. The new solo exhibition by St. Louis-based artist Jen ...
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WORLD Arrest in Brazil, athlete dies, Ghana attack, World Economic Forum
A 30-year-old man was arrested in Brazil on Jan. 18 for his alleged role in the stabbing murder of prominent NYC art dealer Brent Sikkema, Gay City News reported. Authorities took Cuban resident Alejandro Triana Trevez ...
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ART Queer photographer James Hosking focuses the lens on his own work
James Hosking—a Chicago-based LGBTQ+ artist who specializes in photography and collage—is one of 17 people selected to be part of "Once: 2023 Emerging Artists Exhibit" at the Cleve Carney Museum on the College of DuPage campus ...
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SAVOR Review of Marisol; talk with Chef James Martin
Believe it or not, there is more to Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) than eye-catching displays (with this writer remembering the David Bowie and Virgil Abloh exhibits from years ...
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GLAAD marks World AIDS Day with launch of global resource hub, new HIV report
--From a press release
New York, New York — Friday, Dec. 1 — GLAAD marked World AIDS Day this year by sharing the results of its fourth annual State of HIV Stigma Report, a national survey among U.S. adults measuring ...
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Wrightwood 659 to present 'Daniel Goldstein: The Marks We Leave Behind' on World AIDS Day
(CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2023) —Alphawood Exhibitions will present Daniel Goldstein: The Marks We Leave Behind, an exhibition of works from the San Francisco-based artist & HIV/AIDS activist's iconic "Icarian Series," ...
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SAVOR Cody's dog drive, 'Dandy Holiday' and Santa
New addition: Firewood BBQ, 1856 W. North Ave., has launched its newest weekend brunch item—the brisket pierogi Benedict. For a limited time only, Chef Art Wnorowski and wife/business partner Gosia Pieniazek are presenting this Benedict that ...
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Disney exhibition chronicles a century of entertainment history
Disney100, a large-scale traveling exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, has opened at the Exhibition Hub Art Center, 2367 W. Logan Blvd., in Bucktown. Hundreds of props and artifacts from the company's ...
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Black Excellence Awards winners named, inaugural Chicago Black Arts Hall of Fame inductees honored
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Nov. 7, 2023)—The nonprofit Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago is proud to announce the winners of its 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards, honored last night in a festive celebration at Black Ensemble Theater. ...
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PASSAGES Avid ceramicist Don Heggemann remembered for 'dedicated,' lively presence
Ceramics instructor Dubhe Carreño first met Don Heggemann when he took her Saturday general ceramics class at Northeastern Illinois University in 2010. He took every one of her classes after that. Heggemann eventually joined the staff ...
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Chicago Gay Men's Chorus celebrates 40 years of holiday music in 'The Big 4-0, ho, ho'
--From a press release
CHICAGO, November 1, 2023 — Chicago Gay Men's Chorus celebrates its 40th Anniversary with The Big 4-0, ho, ho!, a celebration of CGMC's holiday favorites over the last 40 years. Featuring festive arrangements from current Artistic ...
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Sean Fader memorializes LGBTQ+ history with Insufficient Memory
One of artist Sean Fader's recent projects project may be named Insufficient Memory, but his crucial work in memorializing LGBTQ+ history will hopefully never fade over time. In 2018, Fader—A New York City and New Orleans-based ...
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State Treasurer Michael Frerichs honors LGBTQ+ leaders
--From a press release
Gay Men's Chorus, Bar Association president, DePaul art professor honored during LGBTQ+ History Month celebration CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate LGBTQ+ History ...
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Black Excellence Awards taking place Nov. 6, will feature avery r. young
The Black Arts & Culture Alliance will present the 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards on Monday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. Hosted by Melissa Duprey, this year's ...
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Art Institute to show 'Picasso: Drawing from Life' starting Nov. 11
The Art Institute of Chicago announced that "Picasso: Drawing from Life" will be on view from Nov. 11, 2023 through April 8, 2024. This year marks 50 years since the death of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso ...
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Mexican Museum presents Queer Fiesta
In celebration of National Latino Month and Mexican Independence Day, the National Museum of Mexican Art presented Noche De Musas II and Queer Fiestas Patrias on Sept. 23. The event, which spotlighted female, queer and non-binary ...
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Chicago musician, producer and DJ Don Crescendo killed in Avondale stabbing
Chicago's LGBTQ+ nightlife community and allies have rallied around the family and close friends of local longtime musician, producer and DJ Rodney Donovan Taylor, a.k.a. Don Crescendo, in the wake of his death by stabbing last ...
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19th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
--From a press release
CHICAGO (September 18, 2023) The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to welcome back its 19tn annual Andersonville Arts Weekend, with the neighborhood transformed into a "walkable art gallery" ...
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National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts Raices Gala hosts Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ricky Martin
--From a press release
CHICAGO, Illinois (September 15, 2023) — The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture released photos and video from its 10th Raices Gala, where Lin-Manuel Miranda bestowed the National Ceiba Award on international superstar ...
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Halpern's multimedia 'self-portraiture on steroids' opens in West Loop
A pink and purple tapestry was mounted on the wall of a DIY punk practice space in the West Loop on Aug. 26, covered in hand-sewn embroidery floss and rhinestones. The digitally woven piece depicted a ...
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Ricky Martin to be guest at Sept. 14 gala in Chicago
Singer/actor Ricky Martin will be the guest of honor at a fundraiser for the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. The 10th Raices Gala will take place at Galleria Marchetti, ...
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African American Arts Alliance of Chicago names new president for first time in 25 years
--From a press release
CHICAGO—The nonprofit African American Arts Alliance of Chicago announced Charlique C. Rolle as its new board president, effective immediately. Rolle is the first new president in the Alliance's 26-year history ...
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Amigas Latinas Forever and queer Gage Park art exhibits open at Chicago Art Department
Amigas Latinas Forever, an art exhibit exploring this important Chicago organization (1995-2015), opened Aug. 11 at the Chicago Art Department, 1932 S. Halsted St. An additional exhibit, En El Abismo, Me Encontre by the Gage Park ...
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Black queer artists wrestle with questions around identity
A group of Black queer artists spoke on July 8 about the continuously-shifting experiences—and perceptions of identity—within LGBTQ+ communities of color at the South Side Community Arts Center, 3831 S. Michigan Ave. The panel, "The New ...
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The Sarah Siddons Society to offer ten professional development grants for theater artists
--From a press release
CHICAGO (July 11, 2023) — The Sarah Siddons Society is proud to expand on its mission to further support the professional growth of the next generation of Chicago area theatre artists. This year is the inaugural ...
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Chicago's Fine Arts Building hosts 125th anniversary celebration Oct. 13
--From a press release
CHICAGO (July 7, 2023)—Chicago's historic Fine Arts Building (410 S. Michigan Avenue) celebrates its 125th anniversary with a major public event on Friday, October 13 from 5-9 p.m. that activates all ten floors of this Chicago ...
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Bezalel's photography exhibition captures the humanity of Argyle Night Market
Ronit Bezalel's first solo exhibition captures the humanity of Uptown's Argyle Night Market By Jess Savage Ronit Bezalel photographed only faces to capture her subjects' humanity in a single moment. Her first solo show, "Faces of ...
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PASSAGES Artist Stash Kybartas
Stashu Kybartas, a video artist who also worked in installation and performance art, passed away May 17 at his home in Chicago. Robert Colucci, his husband of 48 years, was with him at the time of ...
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Art-felt: Pearl Dick helps young victims of trauma with mentoring
Almost a decade ago, glass artist Pearl Dick and clinical psychologist Dr. Brad Stolbach co-founded Project FIRE (Fearless Initiative for Recovery and Empowerment), an arts program that provides victims of trauma the chance to heal through ...
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Patric McCoy exhibition unearths forgotten moments from Chicago's Black queer history
It's the unusual person who is able to transform commutes to and from their office into anything meaningful, let alone a profound body of work documenting a generation. But Patric McCoy has done just that. McCoy, ...
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Artist Isabella Mellado illuminates the masks within community
By Jess Savage
Chicago-based artist Isabella Mellado's paintings and sculptures are vibrant, colorful and larger than life. Her work represents autobiographical and allegorical scenes, nearly all of it featuring characters inspired by the ...
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Fabrizzio Subia navigates loss and grief through art
When it comes to loss, Fabrizzio Subia may know more than most people. Having dealt with everything from familial loss to the erasure of his history, the Ecuadorian-American multidisciplinary artist (who has also done things like ...
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Poet Laureate avery r. young draws inspiration from West Side upbringing
By Michelle Zacarias
North Austin native and multi-dimensional poet avery r. young made history in April after being selected as Chicago's inaugural Poet Laureate. The announcement came as no surprise to those who follow young's career as an award-winning ...
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Sidetrack marks its 41st year
Sidetrack and its owners, Art Johnston & Pepe Pena, celebrated the club's 41st Anniversary on June 8 along with hundreds of patrons. Food was provided—as well as specially priced cocktails at $3.00 a piece and drawings ...
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Chef Art Smith talks upcoming dinner and activism
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, including more than 230,000 Illinoisans. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends serve as dementia caregivers, with more than 383,000 caregivers in Illinois. Unti ...
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Joy heals: Artist Hannah Sellers's works explore gender, trauma and clothing
Note: This article mentions sexual assault and trauma. Color Club Gallery, 4146 N. Elston Ave., was well-lit by the early evening sun May 18 as the audience gathered for Q & A event that was part ...
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Lambda Legal marks 50 years with Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration
Lambda Legal marked its 50th anniversary with The Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration May 19 at the Art Institute of Chicago. The event honored Windy City Times Owner and Co-Founder Tracy Baim. The celebration was named ...
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ATTRACTIONS Lose (and find) yourself in The Exhibit House
Walking into Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave.) was an experience, for sure. After all, it's not what it used to be. Marshall Field's and its successor, Macy's, are gone—as well as scores of other ...
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Warhol exhibition to open June 3 at College of DuPage
Following the success of 2021's "Frida Kahlo: Timeless," the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage will open an exhibition of the works of legendary artist/photographer Andy Warhol ...
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Lyric Opera of Chicago introduces first-ever Artist-in-Residence program with soprano Whitney Morrison
--From a press release
CHICAGO (5/11/23) — Anthony Freud, General Director, President & CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago, announced the launch of a new Artist-in-Residence program. Developed by Lyric Unlimited, the company's learning ...
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ART on THE MART's summer programs include Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Pride celebration
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — ART on THE MART, an innovative digital art project that transforms a Chicago architectural landmark into a larger-than-life canvas, will introduce two new commissions this summer. Building Light, a new projection by Gensler, ...
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Lambda Legal to celebrate 50 years with Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration May 19
--From a press release
Lambda Legal's Bon Foster Civil Rights Celebration returns on Friday, May 19, 2023 at The Art Institute of Chicago. The event is named after Robert Bonvoulier "Bon" Foster, a Chicago attorney and civil rights leader who ...
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LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project hosts first art exhibit at Center on Addison
On April 28, the LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project hosted on opening reception to kick off its first ever art exhibit, Iridescent Footprints: Stories and Glories of Our Lives, at Center on Addison. The exhibition features collaborative ...
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City of Chicago names inaugural Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Public Library (CPL), the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Poetry Foundation, proudly named avery r. young as the inaugural ...
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LA LGBT Center's gala raises $1M+; Leslie Jordan among those honored
On April 22, the Los Angeles LGBT Center raised more than $1 million to support its lifeline services and advocacy benefiting the LGBTQ+ community ...
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Joseph Kraft: Gay Chicago artist talks activism, stereotypes, love of art
Joseph Kraft has been an artist practically all his life. The Illinois native and Ukrainian Village resident's love of art has taken him to many places. His latest big move was more professional than geographical, as ...
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EXPO Chicago wraps up 10th-anniversary edition
EXPO Chicago: The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art concluded its 10th anniversary edition on April 16. Approximately 32,000 visitors viewed and/or purchased works by more than 80 curators ...
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Steppenwolf premieres a queer work of art with Last Night and the Night Before
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is premiering a new production called Last Night and the Night Before, with plenty of queer representation both behind the scenes and onstage. The story centers around a relationship between two sisters with ...
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Queer Art's Illuminations Grant to recognize Black trans visual artists
--From www.queer-art.org
The Queer|Art Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists sheds light on the under-recognized contributions of Black trans women visual artists and provides critical support to their continuing work. The application period is open for ...
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Arts Alliance Illinois encourages creatives to apply for $50M in grants for pandemic losses
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Arts Alliance Illinois is encouraging creatives across the state to apply for the B2B Arts (Illinois Creative Recovery) Grant, a historic $50 million in grant money being distributed by the Illinois Department of Commerce ...
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City of Chicago, DCASE announce 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season
--From a press release
City of Chicago and DCASE Announce 2023 Millennium Park Summer Season April 13, 2023 Free Concerts, Films, Workouts and More at the Midwest's #1 Attraction DCASE Communications dcase@cityofchicago.org Download Photos ...
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The Jeff Awards announce grants to inspire artists of color
--From a press release
CHICAGO—As an extension of its mission to promote and recognize theater excellence, The Jeff Awards is launching a new grant award program called the Jeff Impact Fellowship to help inspire early to mid-career artists of color ...
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Local artists bring new works to Center on Halsted
As part of its omnibus art gallery showing, Center on Halsted presented an opening reception for works by artists Jim McNamee and Rossa Crean. The showing took place on April 7 on the Center's second and ...
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Photo exhibit about '80s Black gay Chicago to run at Wrightwood 659
The exhibit "Patric McCoy: Take My Picture"—about 1980s Black gay Chicago—will run April 14-July 15 at Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood Ave. "Take My Picture" features a selection of approximately 50 black-and-white and color photographs from ...
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Art event EXPO Chicago taking place April 13-16
The 10th-anniversary edition of EXPO Chicago—an international contemporary and modern art exhibition—will take place at Navy Pier and throughout Chicago on April 13-16. The fair's core programs include IN/SITU and ...
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Chicago Academy for the Arts meets million-dollar challenge with gala
The Chicago Academy for the Arts held its "Inspire: Red Carpet Gala" on April 1 at Chicago's Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. The event, according to an email from school head Jason Patera, raised more than $400,000 ...
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C2E2 busts down brand new barriers at McCormick Place
The largest convention center in North America may need to expand the layout for C2E2 next year. McCormick Place South continues to be the home of the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and in 2023 ...
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Being BeBe documents life of first RuPaul's Drag Race winner
On the evening of March 9, the Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University presented a screening of Emily Branham's documentary Being BeBe, the story of Nea Marshall Kudi Ngwa, a.k.a. Benet, the first winner of ...
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