In collaboration with EXPO CHICAGO, CXW features 50 participating galleries presenting exhibitions, programs and special events throughout the city to bring together art collectors, art lovers and local communities.
Chicago, IL – August 28, 2024 – This fall, Gertie, the civic and cultural agency founded by Abby Pucker, presents the second annual Chicago Exhibition Weekend (CXW). Presented in partnership with EXPO CHICAGO, CXW mobilizes art galleries and creative spaces across the city from October 3-6, shining a spotlight on Chicago’s vibrant cultural landscape and artistic spirit for locals and visitors alike. Participants in CXW 2024 include a number of galleries and art spaces, including Blanc Gallery, DOCUMENT, GRAY, Mariane Ibrahim, moniquemeloche, PATRON, Rhona Hoffman, and many more, who have timed their exhibitions to coincide with the weekend, extended hours, and organized special public programs.
Building on the success of last year’s edition, which attracted 5,000 visitors over three days, CXW 2024 will expand its presence with 50 participating galleries, demonstrating the vitality and diversity of the city’s growing commercial art scene.
The weekend brings together art collectors, enthusiasts and local community members to connect with Chicago’s cultural community and help artists and gallerists attract new collectors, expand their audiences and increase the global visibility of the local art ecosystem. The weekend will feature citywide programming including a partner kickoff dinner, a public Night Market Art Bazaar on Saturday evening, a Mana Studio Crawl hosted by Stoodio and more. In an effort to break down barriers to access to art spaces in Chicago’s many neighborhoods, CXW has partnered with local art leaders to curate their own customized itineraries with recommendations on galleries, nonprofits and local businesses to visit during the weekend, providing a variety of ways to experience the weekend’s citywide offerings. The CXW itineraries are curated by Scott Vincent Campbell (curator, ICI), Nick Cave (artist), Bob Faust (artist), Laura Lester (art consultant), SY Lim (art organizer), and Carla Acevedo-Yates (curator, MCA Chicago). Program details and itineraries will be posted on Gertie’s website prior to CXW in early September.
“Chicago has always been a place of unparalleled artistic production and creative talent, and our goal in launching CXW is to create a shared moment that inspires visual arts venues across our great city to collaborate, celebrate this ecosystem, and forge new connections,” said Abby Pucker.
“EXPO CHICAGO is proud to partner with Gertie to further support Chicago’s rich cultural community and showcase the diversity of our galleries, institutions and artists,” said Tony Karman, President and Director of EXPO CHICAGO. “We welcome both local and out-of-town arts patrons to explore the many exhibitions and events planned for CXW 2024 and benefit from our community’s creative excellence year-round.”
Chicago Exhibition Weekend will bring the next generation of business, civic and philanthropic leaders together to connect with the city’s emerging artistic talents through community dinners, programs and festivities. This four-day celebration will include a wide range of events, including those presented by Early worksGertie’s growing member network comprised of young Chicagoans seeking a community centered around cultural engagement. Throughout the weekend, members will have the opportunity to tour Chicago’s art spaces alongside Pucker and a wide selection of Chicago-based artists and art leaders. EarlyWork events throughout the weekend include the grand opening of GRAY’s new gallery, early access to exhibitions across the city, a celebration night with Rococo Art Advisory, tours of private collections, and more, providing opportunities to meet and network at the intersection of art and business.
Support for CXW is provided by Cresset and Kirkland & Ellis.
About Gertie
Gertie is a civic and cultural agency that connects and educates Chicago’s culturally interested people through in-person meetings and digital storytelling to develop, amplify, and expand the reach of the city’s creative ecosystem. Gertie builds relationships with creative and corporate communities to develop and produce large-scale initiatives and iconic cultural moments that highlight and attract investment in Chicago’s arts and culture. For more information, visit gertie.co.
About EXPO CHICAGO
EXPO CHICAGO presents leading contemporary and modern art galleries and a diverse and imaginative program of talks, on-site installations and public art initiatives each April at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall. Opened in 2012, EXPO CHICAGO embraces the city’s rich history as a vibrant international cultural destination while spotlighting the region’s contemporary art scene. In 2023, EXPO CHICAGO has been acquired by Frieze, the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art. For more information about EXPO CHICAGO, visit expochicago.com.
