Wow...impressive resume and contributions to Chicago's public art scene…read more I first learned about Muralist Hector Duarte's work on a Chicago Architecture Tour's "Historic Neighborhoods Tour" when our bus tour visited/toured Pilsen. Our guide, Delta pointed out his studio which has a colossal mural of a man of gigantic proportions attempting to break free from being held down by barbed wire. Impressive in design and important in the Barrio Art Movement in the United States. The Mural is titled: "Gulliver in Wonderland." (If you do not take a bus tour to see it-take the Pink Line Train and it is only a few blocks away by foot and not far from The National Museum of Mexican Art). Mr. Duarte was born in Mexico and studied under the tutelage of David Alfaro Siqueiros one of the famous three muralists commissioned by the Mexican Government commencing in the 1920s to paint murals around Mexico in order to address social issues and educate the public about the legacy of the cultures and history of the country. (The other two muralists were Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco). According to his profile under "The Chicago Art Group" Mr. Duarte states: "I tend to use bright colors--I attribute this to my Latin American origins, where the presence of the sun influences our view of color--but have a very broad palette. I use recognizable symbols and images that dramatize life to Latinos here in the U.S. These have included corn, images from the Day of the Dead, and the Loteria game as well as the heart, which has both pre- and post-Colombian religious significance and is something all people can identify with. I usually choose themes that deal with the local community in some way or themes that speak to all of us." He is industrious and innovative...with 45 or more murals exhibited along walls in Chicago. He is also involved in organizing and providing opportunities within Chicago in association with Pilsen Fest 2017. Chicago is truly lucky to have him as part of our community and a true asset to the legacy of public art in Chicago. For more information about Mr. Duarte see: http://www.chicagopublicartgroup.org/hector-duarte/ PS. I wish the Chicago Architecture Foundation would provide a tour to visit/tour all of his murals in Chicago via bus????

Could be possibly the smallest museum you'll be in. Design Museum Of Chicago is basically a…read moreshowcase for local artists with a rotating collection of paintings, sculptures, and more. It's a lot more casual and contemporary than a typical museum, and can be looked at in about 20 minutes or so. For sure take a bit more time to check out works by local artists. This also has free admission at times. After exiting the back of the Chicago Cultural Center, this is almost across Randolph Street, so it's easy to get to both. It's not like most museums. The exhibits all rotate quite often. Go one month and it's different. It's free admission on Sundays. Basically that's the only time you need to go. The museum is too small to pay a lot. In spring it features art by students in the public schools, and this is pretty impressive. This isn't any hand turkeys or stuff like that. A summer exhibit by Barbara Koenen was about clocks. There were literally hundreds of clocks everywhere. It was an exhibit to make us think of time and how it can be absurd. This was a thoughtful collection of clocks being put in certain positions to make a pattern of sorts. Be sure to come back often to see the latest exhibits. It seems like it changes a lot. The best time to come is any Sunday because it's free admission and you get to check out some creative artwork by students or whoever.

Very cool space to see a free community art exhibit, but be aware there are no restrooms and in…read moreorder to use a restroom you have to cross the street and go up the stairs of the Chicago Cultural Museum, although I bet/hope they have an accessible entrance with a ramp somewhere!! The space inside is light and airy, although oddly filled with mosquitoes on the day we visited!! I got a few mosquito bites! The guard was chatting with friends on his phone the whole time, but did stop long enough to tell me where to find a bathroom. Free entry was greatly appreciated. Street Parking was about $20 for our visit which took about 2 hours as we got coffee nearby too.

You can easily pass this unassuming building, but you'd be missing a real gem. Located on the first…read morefloor of this unorthodox office university you'll find a free curated collection. It's a real treat if you have a few minutes and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The time I went I was able to see a curious collection juxtaposing ideas of privilege with marginalized communities that have been affected by gentrification and globalization. The person watching the collection happened to be a student and was very nice in explaining what she thought of some of the pieces. Definitely a hole in the wall when it comes to culture and history.

Art on theMart is a must see experience if your downtown. The digital art projections is displayed…read moreon the Merchandise Mart Building nightly around 9PM. The illumination art display on Merchandise Mart is mind blowing. The art work is colorful and your able to witness Art come alive. It was entertaining and well worth seeing. Very memorizing to see art displayed by the water. A Nice Date Night or Solo Adventure.

Please start on time! I was so excited and it never started! After the countdown there was nothing!read more

Director Israel Hernandez of Prospectus Gallery provides his artists and audience with hospitality…read moreand professionalism. On March 9, 2018 a free public reception will once again take place with a new exhibit of paintings and prints by Mark Nelson titled "Sounds of Painting," an array of works on the subject of music. These works express spontaneity, humor, seduction and personal memory through Nelson's use of the vibrant colors of his past, the parody of our times and the beauty of music. Mark Nelson has been a resident of Chicago since 1984 where he arrived from the Panama Canal Zone, Republic of Panama' to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His work was shaped by his roots as an extranjero residing from adolescence into adulthood in a Latin American country where the "land divided and the world united."

This is a great small art gallery in pilsen. My gf and I have been here before and we stopped by…read moreagain this weekend now that we were in the pilsen neighborhood and also because we both love art. As stated again its a small gallery, and displays art from local latin and latin-american artists. Also admission is free! Exhibits change every few months so make sure you stop by to view whats new.

What an amazing gallery! This store takes your every day digital photos and puts them on canvas…read more The result is like art! A great idea for a Christams gift!!

This is a must visit when in Chicago if you are an art enthusiasts. It is a private and nonprofit…read moremuseum. I read it houses over permanently 300,000 arts from all over the world . I enjoyed the place and educational experience it offers. The place and aura of the institute. Great architects and exhibits inside the each wings. Sculptures, famous painters like Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir , Cezanne O'keefe and more were amazing. Early centuries Cultures and artifacts from well preserved. I admired Chagall stained glass. The Egyptian Museum was impressive. Overall the Chicago Institute of Arts worthy .

A top notch addition to the Art Institute. Fully accessible entrance off of Monroe, and the…read morequickest way into the museum from the Millenium Park Garage. Gorgeous multistory entryway. Top notch permanent collection from the 20th century, and excellent rotating exhibits to match. Access the public cafe on the second floor to absorb the interior view, and head up to the third floor and head outside to get a gorgeous view of Chicago's skyline. There is also a member's lounge on the third floor. A giant ramp will allow you to walk/wheel from the third floor over Monroe to the heart of Millenium Park, dropping you off by the Pritzker Pavilion. Its a steep incline - I would not want to walk up it, or push a stroller/wheelchair. If you are in a wheelchair and are athletic, its a thrilling ride to the bottom. Beware of blisters!

Small but free, not a must do but if it's cold and you need some culture, here you go! Must check…read morein bag at door. I'm in!

This small free museum focuses on American & international photography from the 20th century…read moreonward. The permanent collection includes photos by Henri Cartier Bresson, Harry Callahan, Sally Mann, Catherine Wagner & 500 more of the best photographers working today. There are special rotating exhibits.