Expo Chicago Comes to a Close, Work to Support Local Artists Goes On


This year’s EXPO CHICAGO may have come to an end, but the artists who are using this opportunity to connect with collectors and artists alike say the support doesn’t end here, they need it all the time. 

“It’s very unique to be standing here today, because it’s not a typical view of the fair,” says director and president of EXPO CHICAGO, Tony Karman.  

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

The walls that once housed the international exposition of contemporary and modern art better known as EXPO CHICAGO come down after a successful 9th edition. Held at Navy Pier, nearly 30 thousand art lovers, collectors and artists alike traveled from across the globe to partake in the leading international art fair. 

“Back in 1980, the Chicago International Art Exhibition began our city’s journey as a host,” Karman says. “We were built on that tradition. For almost 20 years, we were the only fair in North and South America and it was in our city. So that tradition is what EXPO CHICAGO is built on.” 

From Cape Town to New York to Detroit, this year’s EXPO CHICAGO was comprised of nearly 3,000 artists, with more than 100 galleries, from 25 different countries.

“Three (galleries) were run by people of color — Richard Beavers Gallery came from NY and sold a piece by Melvin L. Nesbittt Jr., and will be at the 21c Hotel, Mariane Ibrahim signed her first Chicago based artist, Carmen Neely,” said Patricia Andrews-Keenen of Pigment International, a multimedia platform dedicated to promoting artists of color. 

Andrews-Keenen said Neely’s style offers a form of sensuality as depicted through abstract paintings.  

The international art fair also included abstract paintings by Rebecca Morris and Gina Litherland of Corbett vs. Dempsey Gallery.

“We had a great painting by Gina — she’s a magic realist who paints in Wisconsin and she’s a beautiful painter, her work often comes out of literature,” said John Corbett, of Corbett vs. Dempsey Gallery. 

While the city’s institutions, both big and small, continue to support and celebrate Chicago-based artists, there is work to be done to ensure they show at Expo Chicago for years to come. One of those key elements is art coverage to encourage both artists and art lovers to engage, explore and continue the work.   

“If we had those things, then the commercial infrastructure could grow. It can’t really right now because what will support it? We can’t say we need more galleries, which we do, without having more on the ground people here who were not necessarily buying blue-chip established art, but taking a chance on younger artists,” Corbett said. “That’s really essential.”  


Follow Angel Idowu on Twitter: @angelidowu3

Angel Idowu is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent.


Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors