West Town First Fridays: May 3, 2024

Mariane Ibrahim Gallery

437 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60622

The Knight, or Lancela Palm-and-Steel is Lorraine O’Grady’s first exhibition with Mariane Ibrahim. It is also O’Grady’s first solo presentation to focus on the character of the Knight, or Lancela Palm-and-Steel, her most recent artistic persona.

O’Grady has been gradually introducing the Knight to the public, beginning in 2021 with the landmark retrospective Lorraine O’Grady: Both/And at the Brooklyn Museum. In the museum’s European galleries, images of the Knight interacted with massive Rodin sculptures and with Early Renaissance paintings.

West Town Unwind

1716 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

West Town Unwind began as a way to offer affordable yoga around West Town and the surrounding neighborhoods; however, now that we are in the pop-up space, we have filled the space with incredible art and products by local artists and makers. Yoga is often thought of as a wellness option; we believe art is also wellness...and yoga can also be art. We hope to combine multiple facets of art, wellness, and community in our space. Stop by to see works by Brie Hines, Rachel Benitez, Kari Blak, Hailey Losselyong from HML Design, Robert Sanchez, Maatskappy, Restore & Reborn, and many others.

Fulton Street Collective

1821 W Hubbard St Unit 307, Chicago, IL 60622

Get a behind-the-scenes look at a collection of some of Chicago’s most talented artists, designers, organizations and galleries — all under the 1821 roof. Each tenant will be opening their doors for the annual night of community delight. “Huge Art Show and Open Studios” event presents our established art collectives as we foster, develop and promote the growth of over 300 artists through our shared and community studio spaces. During our open studio night, we invite the public to get immersed in the creations of over 40 professional working artists’ studios, and to explore the many additional art-based businesses located throughout Hubbard Street Lofts. We are excited to share our work and our processes with you! Join us as we celebrate the progress we are creating in Chicago together. Art. Music. Food Trucks.

Filter Photo

1821 W Hubbard St UNIT 207, Chicago, IL 60622

In conjunction with the Hubbard Street Lofts Open House, join Filter Photo to celebrate the opening of High Visibility (Blaze Orange), a solo exhibition of work by Jaclyn Wright. High Visibility (Blaze Orange) uses debris collected from improvised gun ranges on public lands to create photographic installations that explore the impacts and material traces of late capitalism and settler colonialism on the landscape of the U.S. West.

Chicago Artists Coalition

2130 W Fulton St unit b, Chicago, IL 60612

Opening on Friday, 5/3 from 5-8pm

Vertical Gallery

2006 W Chicago Ave #1R, Chicago, IL 60622

Solo show featuring Chicago Artist Emmy Star Brown, 5/3 5-8pm (entrance in alley off Damen)

Chicago Fine Art Salon

2623 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

The opening of our photography only show titled "Capture"

Black Artists Network

1901 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Black Artists Network is hosting its first solo exhibition, "The Jeff Show," at its West Town location as part of the West Town Pop Up Project.

This solo exhibition features the works of artist Jeff Rivers. Please join us for the opening reception and grand opening of the space l

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art at the West Town Chamber of Commerce

1819 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Join us for an opening celebration on Friday, May 3, 5-8 p.m. at  The West Town Chamber of Commerce ! This exhibition showcases works of art by the students in the classrooms of Intuit’s 2023-2024  Teacher Fellowship Program . By introducing self-taught art into their classrooms, Teacher Fellows give students opportunities to translate their unique personal visions in new, non-traditional ways. Students experience the power of expression in a safe space, encouraged to explore their personal creative potential. No RSVP is required.

LivingRoom Realty

1530 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60642

Opening Reception of "Family Room" by Cooperation Racine. Cooperation Racine, LWCA welcomes you to FAMILY ROOM, a generative space where introspection, education and connection all have space on the couch. Immerse yourself in a care/filled curation of thoughtfully crafted artwork and home goods.

ARC Gallery

1463 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Ceres Gallery New York/ ARC Gallery Chicago - The artists of Ceres believe the arts provide an important social service – that art has the power to educate, enhance and enrich the quality and depth of people’s lives. Both Ceres and ARC Gallery provide a showcase for women artists regardless of age, artistic style or commercial viability to exhibit their work and through progressive programing, have also become a gathering place for educational and community activities. In addition to providing the general public with a place to expand their knowledge of contemporary art, they are also places for women artists to gather for community and friendship.

Ruti Modlin: ROOTED - Ruti Modlin’s show is inspired by our relationship with trees, who stand as tall, silent witnesses to the evolution of our human existence. Trees breathe life into our shared ecosystem. Our lives are intertwined and symbiotic. The temple-like structured living Conservatories, allow us to experience tranquil meditative escapes, a sense of emotional rootedness while across all cultures, trees symbolize the connection of the earthly and the divine wisdom.