I came here for a Saturday opening and reception of Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas and…read moreBeyond Boundaries: Three Decades of Contemporary Chinese Art. It was so nice to go to a reception on a Saturday afternoon instead of a week night. The setup of the place is such that the food and drinks are floor level, but no food/drinks are allowed in the gallery space. Not convenient but understandable. This was my 2nd or 3rd time in this space. There was cheese/meat/fruit in one area, sealed pieces of cake in another area, and bartenders pouring wine, beer, soda, and water. Also a special drink dedicated to Alma Thomas. I was not familiar with her work, she was big admirer of outer space. It coincided with the Artemis II lunar space trip, so that was just awesome! The other exhibit about the University of Chicago's history with Chinese art was visually arresting and thought-provoking. There was a space separate for kids to do crafts as well. the bathrooms were small but clean, and a coat rack was provided, which was quite convenient. It is not far from public transportation, and I can't speak to parking, but the campus is so nice, if you live a mile or so away, it's a nice walk.

Family Day at the Smart Museum…read more When my daughter booked our family for Family Day as what we thought was part of U Chicago's Family Day, we were quite excited. A fun crafting adventure for the weekend. We almost didn't go as we were running late. Called and they said to come, so we did. Lucky to find a parking spot next to the Smart Museum on the University of Chicago campus. Walked in to the open atrium where we saw families of preschool aged kids with their mommies and daddies weaving on paper looms. My daughters have progressed to grad school, so we were a bit surprised. The museum curator also said when she scheduled Family Day at the Smart Museum of Art, she didn't realize that was also UChicago's Family Day. What a coincidence! So....we explored the museum first for inspiration. The museum is small, but had some beautiful installations. My favorite was the sunflower quilt print. The Sunflower Quilting Bee at Arles. Rosa Parks. Sojourner Truth. Ida Wells. Mary McLeod Bethune. Harriet Tubman. Vincent Van Gogh watching strong women advocate for equality from a distance. So powerful. Then, back to the atrium to pick up paper looms and fill brown paper bags with and assortment of strands of yarn, cord, shells and cards. Not having a plan, we went to work. Creativity inspired by our love for each other. Nice to have their featured artist come check on us. No, we were not on our phones. We were weaving small works of art. A great opportunity to spend a few quality hours with my daughters away from their responsibilities as adults studying to make an impact on the world. Family Day at the Smart Museum of Art. #2700

This is a wonderful museum. We planned an hour but it wasn't enough. It needs 90 or more minutes…read more Excellent quality exhibits. The downstairs is extensive and reminded me of the African American Museum in DC. Well worth th price of admission. Parking on site. Where do you find that anywhere. Definitely a must see!

A must do to get the Black Chicago was like ... experience. The Harold Washington exhibition is…read morewell worth it alone. There is some free lot parking if you can find it. Check this place out!

Visited over the weekend for Pigmented FINE Black Art Faire and the space was great. This space…read moreallowed the artist to spread out and viewers were able to admire the art up close and personal. There was so much space here it was a full house but we didn't feel like we were in a crowd. Lovely space can't wait to return.

On the Third Friday of each month, Zhou Art center hosts a free exhibition and open studio event…read morewhere locals can explore the main galleries and the resident artist's studios. This is a great opportunity for Chicagoans from all over and tourists to come and support the artists. This was my first time visiting Zhou Art Center and it was ok. The staff was just walking around and not engaging with frowns on their faces. Some of the art work displayed throughout the center was pretty nice. It was nice to come out and see some creative pieces. This is a very beautiful art center. You can book an event space, host a party and wedding. A hidden gem right down the street from Bridgeport Art Center. You can have the best of both worlds and visit both art centers.

My Husband booked a date for us to go to a book discussion and book signing with Malayna Evans,…read moreauthor of "Isis of Egypt". It was a wonderful event, a great turnout and a fantastic opportunity to meet the author. She was awesome. We got to see the museum as well and it was a lot of artifacts from Northern Africa and upper middle eastern countries. I highly recommend this museum!

I loved visiting the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum! This is a small but…read moreincredibly intriguing museum located on the campus of University of Chicago is gift to the world telling the story of major ancient civilizations with a treasure trove of ancient artifacts with a mission to understand, reveal, and protect the past. I felt connected and extremely immersed in the past as I was exploring the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, almost as if time doesn't really exist on a linear timeline but instead the past, present, and future existing all at once as if I had been here before feeling. This museum teaches people about the beginnings of our lives as humans together. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum started in 1919 holds a collection of many interesting artifacts over 350,000 artifacts from archaeologists on expeditions mostly in West Asia and North Africa during the 1920-1940s. It mainly has galleries of ancient Egypt, Nubia, Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria, and more. The is Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum is also a continous place of research and learning sponsoring archaeological and text-based research projects. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum is not really kid friendly but great for adults, researchers, anyone who appreciates ancient civilizations. This museum is free for all but the current suggested donation is $15. My favorite part of the museum is the Human-Headed Winged Bull (lamassu), Palace of the Assyrian king Sargon II , Dur-Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) from Iraq. Don't hesitate to explore the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum because it is very much worth it!

An amazing collection of work from a prolific photographer whose work spans not only cities, but…read morecontinents across the world. The initial feeling as you walk into the exhibition is one of excitement, as rows and rows of his work consume the walls of the gallery. Familiar, iconic images can be found scattered amidst many other equally defining works. The joy is just really going through them all to find the "decisive moment" in each of his works, but then relishing in the unexpected pieces that you discovered somewhere along the way. Coming back again for the free Thursday night admission? I'd skip all the other works and make a beeline for Henri's work and start right there. Because then you can be sure that you leave the AIC without any other regrets before the museum closes its doors for the evening. But I can't promise what you MAY regret after the doors have closed and you've been left to your own devices for the rest of the night that has yet to begun!

when i was in chicago rolling through town, i made it a point to see this exhibition and boy was it…read moreamazing. the tickets were reasonably priced for such a famed photographer. there are a lot of original prints in this exhibit and the space they created for his photos reflects the same feel that's in his photos.

I always enjoy some time here. Hard to believe this was where the now defunct Defender South side…read morenewspaper was written/printed. This time the artist was out and about, answering questions. Paul Branton's 'Blck Hand Side' was in the final days of the exhibit. There were more snacks/drinks available too. The outdoor seating was not a factor, it was cool and rainy. This is a less 'warm' room, all white (duh) but a great space for art. The multiple stalls in the restrooms and benches help too! The space is available for rental too, FYI.

It's a cool museum with artifacts also well maintained . I attended a talk on Jade presented by a…read morefriend and quite enjoyed it. Their gift shop is pretty nice an I bought some hand painted soup spoons . Will certainly revisit if in the neighborhood

They moved. Opening night at their new location .Fresh Modern industrial loft space housing…read moreinteresting, unique and nicely displayed works of Asian art. Free parking. Worth a visit.

Unfortunately, it seems as if the Podmajersky's have really priced out all of the working artists…read morein Pilsen. About 10 years ago almost all of the buildings between 18th street and Cermak along Halsted were filled with high quality fine artists. From photographers to large scale installation artists. I personally knew the tenant who rented the building smack dab on the corner of Halsted and 18th and he had a wonderful working installation piece that was an arch with thousands of bottle caps riveted into the 20 foot sculpture....he was priced out of the space. Moved to LA where the rent is just as high but the exposure and acceptance of artists is much more viable. Chicago is a shitty place for most visual artists who have not yet made a name for themselves. Most midwesterners have more interest in the Cubs than the arts. Even if the Cubs continue to lose they still have people paying for tickets. Not so with art. The minute the economy got bad and the real estate market started sliding the artists who used to be part of this vibrant community were shafted by slumlord tactics of high rents and an 'imagined' River North Gallery atmosphere. When it was evident the 'district' was not going to bloom in the gentrified way they wanted, the owners just alienated the artists enough by raising the rents and leaving the buildings in dilapidated conditions so they would leave. AND, guess what? Surprise, they did. They mecca'd to NYC and LA. I wasn't surprised. The artistic environment in Chicago is quite small and limited and does very little to encourage artists to reach their creative peak and then, even if they do, most of the community is ready to tear them down for fear of never clawing their way to the figurative 'top'. It is no surprise that most of the reviews of the Chicago Arts District are negative. If you could have actually seen the district when it was a supportive, creative, vibrant microcosm of art you probably would have a different opinion. But, all we can do now is continue to support the people who have stuck it out in Pilsen, literally against all odds. There are some really great stores, Deliciously Vintage, Agga B....to name a couple. The Chicago Art department is an artists collective that has gallery space there and they produce some stunning works for working peoples' prices. Attend the 2nd Friday's event they host once a month. Stop in at the 'tourist center' on the south corner of 18th and Halsted and grab a brochure of galleries open during the event. You will be amazed and surprised that there is life beyond River North. The galleries are warm and friendly, not pretentious. Most of the owners and artists are present and love to talk about their work. The last 2nd friday's event was even sponsored by the Italian Expo...and they had the best risotto I have ever had. It is important to support this community instead of just schlepping down Halsted and complaining that you don't like the art. Now more than ever, Pilsen artists need to be supported in Chicago. Otherwise they will just move on to where they are appreciated and then you can have something else to bitch about.

If you are coming from out of town, don't get mislead by the name if this neighborhood, and think…read moreit's some thriving artists' community. It's not. Once a year, there is an open house of the artists-who-live-and-work-here galleries/workshops and lofts, which is fun and voyeuristic. The other 363 days of the year, it's a depressing ghost town. It sucks. Hardly a "community" in any sense of the word. No street life or activity. No storefront businesses. No public transit save a long wait for the Halsted bus. You can count on one hand the places remotely worth visiting: The Sylark, Kristoffer's Cafe and Bakery, Simone's., and of course the galleries on Halsted, when you can find one open. If you are looking for vibrant, stimulating, diverse, areas with street traffic, human activities, art, food, theater, cafes, live music and good pubs, head to Wicker Park or the Morse/Glenwood area of Rogers Park. I don't understand where this area of East Pilsen deserves the seemingly centralized and offciial moniker "Chicago Arts District." There may be some artists living and working there, but otherwise the title is quite the misnomer.