Categories: Art Galleries
Art Galleries & Shows: River North
Author: Emily Capdevielle
When it comes to Chicago art galleries, River North has an abundance of Chicago art galleries to explore. With more than 40 galleries scattered in close proximity to the Magnificent Mile, they are easy to find and fun to explore.
TOP ARTS NEIGHBORHOOD
In River North you’ll be able to experience up-and-coming artists and ogle the classics, too.
The galleries range from smaller exhibitions to larger ones that appeal to every type of art lover. The Gruen Galleries is a two-level gallery that hosts different types of artwork featuring Contemporary American and European paintings and sculpture from different artists. A current exhibit by award-winning student Anna Pales focuses on contemporary still life that expresses her love for nature and talent with acrylics.
The Maya Polsky Galley features International Contemporary Art. For example, one might expect something like the summer 2008 exhibit by Russian artist Valery Koshliakov is striking with massive mixed media paintings. River North displays a fine variety of local and international artists to experience and appreciate. The Addington Gallery has a mixture of both American and European paintings and sculpture to guide you through the gallery. Galleries such as this one make it seem as though you’ve traveled the world through the artist’s interpretation of their surroundings. Another example: Summer 2008 exhibitionist Robin Denevan painted landscapes that reflected his recent travels through Asia and Latin America.
The Vale Craft Gallery is definitely not to be passed up with its eclectic mix of artwork, including blown glass, ceramics, metal sculpture and custom jewelry. Although this gallery will tempt you to touch everything in sight, the standard rule applies: you break it you buy it. This gallery is one of the most affordable, though, so many of the pieces can be added to your collection while staying within your budget. This gallery reaches out to a wide audience with pieces like Steve Rebora’s "Intermission." Rebora’s piece is a cartoon-like rabbit eating a carrot out of a hat carved out of wood.
Not all of the artwork affects you the same way, which is the beauty of art. Some of the galleries seem to stimulate your senses more than others. With the many galleries in the district, you never know what to expect when you walk in the door. Every gallery has its own layout and atmosphere to help you participate and understand the artwork as the artist intended.
The Josef Glimer Gallery features artists like Thom Kapheim, a contemporary artist that will have you looking intently at each one of his vibrant paintings. Kapheim’s goal with his work is to “lead his viewers into a place that is primal in the subconscious.” This gallery not only has the artwork from the artists, but a statement from them explaining their inspiration and the background behind each piece which is helpful.
The Jean Albano Gallery also hosts interesting exhibitions with a summer 2008 offering referring to the two sexes and pointing out certain character traits as you go down the line. The exhibition by Donna Rosenthal demonstrates the traditional and societal influences in women's lives. The exhibit consists of clothing on hangers made up of materials such as vintage novels and magazines. Rosenthal’s artwork is humorous and unique compared to much of the other sculptured art in River North.
Events
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the galleries the River North District has to offer, the Art Dealers Association of Chicago (CADA) offers free tours known as Starbucks Saturdays. Every Saturday a member of the CADA guides the tour and meets at the Starbucks at 750 N. Franklin St. starting at 11a.m. Before the tour starts, your guide will hand you a district map and brief you on the history of River North. The tour consists of four galleries to visit with the last one being your guide’s gallery. The great thing about this tour is that you can go over and over again and it will be different every time. While the guides constantly rotate, so does the itinerary. If you plan on having a larger group the tour can accommodate and set up a separate appointment since space is limited.
Dining
With tapping into your inner artist all day, you’re bound to build quite the appetite. River North has every dining option from American to Mediterranean cuisine. Gene and Georgetti is a top steak house that also serves Italian and sea foods. With more than 65 years in Chicago and a remarkable reputation, quality food and service is what they’re all about. Not too fond of meat? Karyn’s Cooked is a gourmet vegan restaurant that has you sipping on organic wines and beers alongside your chosen dish. If you and your significant other would like more of an intimate setting, Kiki’s Bistro will stop you dead in your tracks. This French spot is the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine and converse over your favorite pieces of art in River North.
Check out places of interest near Art Galleries & Shows: River North:
Graham Elliot
217 W. Huron Street,
Chicago , IL 60654
This contemporary-American restaurant, located in the River North gallery district inside a 19th century printing warehouse, has all the taste of an uppity resaurant, but none of the bitterness.
Le Lan
749 N. Clark St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
Chef Bill Kim, a veteran of the Chicago dining scene, melds the textures, flavors and concepts of Asian cuisine with an extensive skill set to make this one of the hottest restaurants in town year in and year out. Expect a black sunglasses AND clothes crowd here: visitors from NYC and Paris seem to delight in it.
Weber Grill Restaurant
539 N. State St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
For a relax atmosphere filled with the smells of a great barbeque, eat at Weber’s Grill. The open kitchen shows the chefs cooking your order over an open flame on actual Weber grills.
Addington Gallery
704 N. Wells,
Chicago, Illinois 60610
The Addington Gallery is home to different types of art including sculptures and paintings by American and European artists.
Aldo Castillo Gallery
675 N. Franklin St. ,
Chicago, Illinois 60610
The Aldo Castillo Gallery promotes both emerging and established international artists with an appreciation for various cultures and their history through different art forms.
Andrew Bae Gallery
300 W. Superior Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60610
The Andrew Bae Gallery introduces contemporary works by Asian artists with ties to Korea and Japan.
Carl Hammer Gallery
740 N. Wells St.,
Chicago, IL 60654
New and emerging artforms have a place to call home. The Carl Hammer Gallery is one of the River North neighborhood's hottest shops for outsider art and has been since opening in 1979.
Expression Gallery of Fine Art
708 N. Wells,
Chicago, Illinois 60610
The Expression Gallery of Fine Art specializes in 19th and 20th Century master prints including Picasso and Renoir. Contemporary American, Spanish and French painters are also represented.
Gruen Galleries
226 W. Superior ,
Chicago, Illinois 60610
The Gruen Galleries consists of three spaces featuring contemporary American and European paintings, sculptures and African art.
Jean Albano Gallery
215 W. Superior,
Chicago , Illinois 60610
The Jean Albano Gallery includes contemporary paintings, drawings and variety of installations and constructions.
Josef Glimer Gallery, Ltd.
207 W. Superior,
Chicago, Illinois 60610
The Josef Glimer Gallery, Ltd. features masterpieces of the 19th and 20th centuries by Picasso and Renoir. The gallery also attributes to contemporary artists.
Maya Polsky Gallery
215 W. Superior St.,
Chicago, Illinois 60610
The Maya Polsky Gallery hosts international contemporary art and contemporary Russian art. Here you can find massive paintings to installation art.
Sawbridge Studios
153 W. Ohio St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
This gallery-esque store features handcrafted furniture and home accessories.
Slaymaker Gallery
936 W. Roscoe,
Chicago, IL 60657
Fine art and antiques can be found at the Slaymaker Gallery.
Vale Craft Gallery
230 W. Superior St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
Contemporary American pieces in a wide variety of media are offered here.
Pops for Champagne
601 N. State St.,
Chicago, IL 60611
Live jazz, huge champagne list, and a fireplace create a memorable atmosphere.
Chicago Antique Market
47 W. Division St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
This indoor/outdoor urban antique market attracts bargain hunters of all kinds.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60603
Discover 5,000 years of artistic expression at one of the world's great art museums. Journey through Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas as you enjoy paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photographs, videos, textiles, and architectural works. Admission $7-$12.
