Chicago artists are making a difference. There are more artists taking initiative than I've seen in some time. More artist-run, alternative spaces are emerging. Some appear with the intent of only lasting for a few months and some only for a single show.

Obviously there are not enough galleries here...

Only recently have I been paying sufficient attention to the Smart Museum on the University of Chicago campus. I don't know if it's me or them that's awoken (probably me), but I'm getting more and more impressed with what I see there.

For any museum to mount two original,...

Here I am writing about the opening of the fall art season for the sixth time.

I think we're making progress. I'm seeing more art by Chicago artists at Chicago galleries. There's more art by Chicagoans in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute than they've been prone to...

Maybe I'm humoring myself. I feel like some of the bellyaching and cheerleading some of us have undertaken on behalf of Chicago art and artists is making a difference. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's pragmatism. For a while now I've been seeing more Chicago art in Chicago galleries. Additionally,...

Is it the middle of summer already?

This is fabulous time to view art in Chicago galleries. For a lot of reasons there is much less pretentiousness in summer than at any other time of the art year. It is in summer that galleries anticipate fewer sales and less traffic,...

It's become pretty clear to me, working as the Director of the Briddge Group's Chicago office, that there are an awful lot of risks inherent in having a decent (or better) art collection.

I think it's important to look at these risks and to consider the value of working...

Summer is a wonderful time for looking at art. The weather is temperate and the galleries are eager to see us. To a large extent, the gallery (art buying) season follows that of the school year, when people's attention is focused more indoors.

As a result, galleries are more prone...

I've just seen two wonderful exhibits.

The opening of the Modern wing at the Art Institute is significant cause for joyous celebration. The building is beautiful, the space dramatic and the installation sensitive and informative. Not forced or artificial like I've seen too often, here are pairings and groupings...

The ArtChicago and NEXT fairs revealed some changing trends in the art world. Yes, there were fewer high-caliber galleries and correspondingly less high-priced, high-quality, kick ass art on view, but that makes sense.

There is presently less risk-taking seen across the board, and as fragile as the art...

There's a fabulous amount of good art at ArtChicago and NEXT, opening at the Merchandise Mart. If one pays close attention, one realizes that there are quite a few galleries we've seen before that are not in attendance. Without a doubt, though, the quality of art to...

I've spoken before about the satisfaction of watching an artist grow, mature and prosper. We need to revisit that theme, while realizing that the exhibitions the galleries are mounting now, in anticipation of ArtChicago 2 weeks hence, are a gift to the artist, if they are the benefactor of...

I've learned a lot that's relevant to collectors and artists since opening the Chicago office of the Briddge Group, who some of you probably know as the country's leading Art Succession Planners, while working closely with its founder, Michael Mendelsohn.

Maybe I should define Art Succession Planning first....

There is quite a bit more good art to see as we approach ArtChicago than there was last week. There are numerous strong exhibitions opening this weekend.

Let's start at the top and not just because it's on the 25th floor. Richard Gray is presenting the work of

As I focus on how our economic malaise is affecting art, I am surprised to see galleries holding on to their stupid past as they march maimed through the present, to the demise that awaits them. Owning art is not a necessity. Galleries are stupid when they create barriers between...

I didn't really want to write an ArtLetter this week. My prerequisite is that I've got at least three openings I want to write about. And this week I only found two. But one was so strong I'm here at my keyboard to tell you about it.

Sarah...

It's so very nice when a public institution gets it right, which is what happened at the State of Illinois Museum, located on the 2nd Floor of the Thompson Center; you know, right behind the Dubuffet. Here, curator Robert Sill has done what too few curators do....

The Problem

You may very well be reeling from the effects of the financial turmoil the world is experiencing. As a collector with "silent" assets of art, antiques and/or collectibles (such as wine, coins, gems, cars, etc.) now is a opportune moment to consider maximizing the present and future course...

I saw some outstanding art in my travels to find art openings for you to attend.

Let's start with the best. Opening Sunday afternoon at the Hyde Park Art Center is an outstanding survey of the ever so slightly warped mind, gifted hands and compassionate persona of Mary...

There are not many openings this weekend but the shows that have receptions are remarkably strong - and 3 of them are courtesy of the Department of Cultural Affairs - remember a previous ArtLetter surveyed our readers and they graded the Cultural Center the highest. These shows will help...

Cold night. Some good art on the horizon.

Born in Illinois, William Conger has been a significant figure in Chicago's art landscape for many decades. But more than that he has witnessed the growth of art in Chicago as a participant for even longer. Conger is wise and experienced...