Art Walk

we had a really nice one in the South Loop

10/31/2011 11:30 AM

By Bonnie McGrath

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by Ted Jarmakowicz, Chicago Art Exchange

It's only been a few weeks since I asked the question, Where is the South Loop Art Scene? Friday night, I found it. It's been here all along. But we have our work cut out for us in the South Loop: we have to maintain it, nurture it and keep it.


The Greater South Loop Association heeded the call and put on a beautiful art walk; too bad it had to be the same night as the seventh game of the World Series. But I tell you, walking down the streets of our neighborhood, most everyone tucked at home watching the game (if not in a sports bar), the cool autumn air and the lights of our streets set against the fall darkness, it was peaceful and serene. People gathered in small groups at the art stops. Mingling and softly chatting. It couldn't have been nicer.

Here's where we art walkers went:

Elephant Room Gallery was my first stop--on the 700 block of South Wabash--in fact, I stopped even before the walk officially started, but the lovely owner gave me the walk discount anyway--on a beautiful artsy t-shirt I bought. The gallery features artistic wearables as well as photos and other art work.

Urban Remix on South Michigan Avenue is a neat mix (remix) of old and new. Bright, big, friendly and totally cluttered with everything from vintage candy dishes to big new sofas. It has antiques, shabby chic, vintage stuff, reproductions and brand new art and modern furniture. I love this place.

Framing Mode & Gallery has been on South Wabash for a long time. It's a strong and steady business with beautiful frames--and lovely art showings of all kinds on the "north side" of the narrow store front--not to mention a helpful, friendly and stalwart proprietor who perks up her part of Wabash immeasurably.

Bigham Galleries is another fabulously cluttered but beautiful and colorful space (right near Framing Mode) that keeps your attention on upscale housewares, beautiful jewelry, textiles, all kinds of art and collectibles. The owner is also a neighborhood stalwart who has been brightening Wabash up for a long while.

The Chicago Art Exchange is new on South State--and it's a huge, interesting and open space that gives one a glimpse of the unadorned concrete that once made up the Beatrice Cold Food Storage facility. Which isn't to say this place isn't glamorous and filled with abstract art. It is. And it will lift your spirits--as it does it's stretch of State.

Overflow Coffee Bar is a special new space just a stone's throw from the Chicago Art Exchange. It's part of the Daystar Center and has added a real true blue coffee house to our neighborhood--including great art on the walls. Everything from the Daystar school kids' renderings (which are darn good) to neighborhood artists and photographers, and some international art provided by the smaller tenants in the office spaces.

Three Peas Art Lounge is another neighborhood stalwart--and a great neighbor on 16th Street in one of the little storefronts. They have great wine and great sweets, for starters, and bold, beautiful art adorning the walls, surrounding the comfy seating geared for great talks.

Prairie Avenue Gallery, a house that hasn't changed much since the 1870s on what was once known as the street of the "sifted few," is a gorgeous gallery, event venue, a movie set and an urban "inn," when necessary. And the home of a family that I go back with for decades (which you can read about here). I love it there.

So that's the art walk. We have a South Loop art scene. And it's time to keep it moving!






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