Attendees will have the opportunity to experience a fabulous collection of contemporary art, emerging artists and timeless antiques, all the while enjoying a wide range of world-class programming and performances from over 85 cultural partners across the city.
Following is a summary of shows taking place during Artropolis at The Merchandise Mart:
ART CHICAGO
Art Chicago, the renowned international fair of contemporary and modern art, will once again bring together the world's leading emerging and established galleries. Now in its 30th edition, Art Chicago will offer curators, collectors, artists and art enthusiasts a comprehensive survey of current and historic work - from cutting-edge to modern masters - in a wide variety of media including: painting, photography, drawings, prints, sculpture, video and special installations.
Located on the 12th floor of The Mart, Art Chicago will feature events throughout the weekend, enticing both the novice and experienced collector. First Focus, a private Preview done in conjunction with and benefiting the Museum of Contemporary Art, followed by Professional and Opening Previews, will open Art Chicago on April 29.
Throughout the four days, cutting-edge speaker programs, Art Chicago Speaks and Converge Chicago: Contemporary Curators Forum will feature an international roster of artists, writers, curators and critics, discussing current trends and provocative issues confronting the contemporary art market. Perspective Texas will focus special programming on the Lone Star State, featuring top Texas collectors and curators from The Dallas Art Museum, Rachofsky House, Arthouse, Artspace, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, The Blanton Museum and more.
In addition, the fair will also feature onsite exhibitions including New Insight, an annual exhibition of rising MFA students from the country's most influential art programs, curated by Susanne Ghez of The Renaissance Society; Partisan, a display of works that critically explore social and political ideas; and Survey America, a floor-wide exhibit that highlights extraordinary works by artists living and working in the United States. Collectors programs include a Docent Program, which debuted successfully in 2009 to museum, corporate and school groups, led by art professionals and consultants to help patrons.
Art Chicago Hours:
Art Chicago will take place April 30 - May 3.
General Show Hours:
- Friday, April 30: 11am - 7pm
- Saturday, May 1: 11am - 7pm
- Sunday, May 2: 11am - 6pm
- Monday, May 3: 11am - 4pm
For more information on Art Chicago, visit artchicago.com
THE MERCHANDISE MART INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES FAIR™
Thousands of spectacular pieces and more than 100 of the top national and international dealers will converge on the 8th Floor of The Mart during Artropolis for the 13th annual Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair.
Recognized as the premier antiques shows in the Midwest and offering an eclectic mix of vintage finds and exquisite antiques, The Antiques Fair hosts an attractive roster of high-profile speakers, charitable special events, designer consultations and services and an engaging lecture series for both experienced and novice collectors.
A wide range of antique genres to shop from, including: 20th Century Design, Americana, Architectural Design, Asian Art & Antiquities, Barometers, Books, Ceramics, Clocks, Clothing and Accessories, Decorative Arts, Folk Art, Furniture, Glass, Jewelry, Paintings, Posters, Prints, Maps, Sculpture, Silver, Textiles and Tribal Art, will be showcased. The Antiques Fair will open with a Preview Party benefiting the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on Thursday, April 29. On Friday, keynote speaker Thomas O'Brien, interior designer, founder and proprietor of Aero Studio on April 30 will welcome hundreds of guests, as he discusses his design philosophy and his new book, American Modern, featuring a survey of seven of his most influential projects ranging from traditional to modern in style. The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair will take place April 30-May 3, with an Opening Night benefiting the RIC on Thursday, April 29.
General Show Hours:
- Friday, April 30: 11 am-7 pm
- Saturday, May 1: 11 am-7 pm
- Sunday, May 2:11 am-6 pm
- Monday, May 3: 11 am-3 pm
For more information, please visit merchandisemartantiques.com
NEXT
More than an art fair, NEXT is the critically acclaimed complement fair to Art Chicago, which debuted in 2008 at The Mart. NEXT is an invitational exhibition of emerging art includes which features a showcase for the world's talents and an adventure in cutting-edge culture. Located on the 7th Floor of The Mart, NEXT offers guests to Artropolis a portal to seeing contemporary art in new, innovative, eye-opening ways, and will include works from both commercial and non-commercial arts organizations. NEXT is dedicated to placing the newest developments in contemporary art in a truly global context, and will be showing galleries from Antwerp, Dublin, London, Melbourne, Tenerife, among others, as well as galleries from around the United States.
Organized by curatorial director Ken Tyburski and dealer/art fair organizer Kavi Gupta, NEXT is a unique model for experiencing the best of contemporary art --carving a niche for presenting brilliant if as yet under-known work. NEXT will take place April 30 - May 3, with an Opening Preview Thursday, April 29.
General Show Hours:
- Friday, April 30: 11am - 7pm
- Saturday, May 1: 11am - 7pm
- Sunday, May 2: 11am - 6pm
- Monday, May 3: 11am - 4pm
TICKETS FOR ARTROPOLIS
- Tickets allow entry into Art Chicago, NEXT and the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair.
- Adults: $20 daily or $25 multi-day pass
- Seniors, Students or Groups: $15 multi-day pass
- Children 12 and under are free.
