A discussion with the curators of CCC's latest digital exhibit 
A Snapshot of Chicago Art Fairs: 1948-2004  

Tuesday, December 17, 2024
12:00 - 12:30 CST

This program will be held via Zoom webinar
Listen to the webinar HERE

CCC is proud to release on 12/17 its latest digital exhibit, A Snapshot of Chicago Art Fairs: 1948-2004. Curated by Autumn Mather and Molly Szymanski, the exhibit features information on 22 art fairs and visual art festivals throughout Chicago and presents materials from 16 archival collections in the holdings of 8 Chicago Collections Consortium members. The exhibit documents Chicago’s rich history of art fairs and festivals and their impact on the diverse communities they serve, focusing on non-corporate events organized by artists or community organizations to provide vibrant new spaces for artists and the public to interact. Questions explored in the exhibit include: Why were Chicago art fairs necessary? Who was permitted to show their artwork at these events, and on what terms? What happens to art fairs when local artists are pushed out of the community or when the event outgrows the neighborhood? How have Chicago art fairs and festivals benefited local artists, collectors, students, and communities?

 
Although much remains to be uncovered about these beloved Chicago summer events, A Snapshot of Chicago Art Fairs: 1948-2004 provides an entry point for additional research in the substantial collections of Chicago Collections Consortium members. Chicago Collections Consortium is grateful to the Terra Foundation for American Art for funding this exhibition as part of its Art Design Chicago program.