EXPO Chicago 2025: Highlights for this year's art fair, on and off Navy Pier
'Contrast,' a new curated section focusing on culture and identity, will debut at EXPO Chicago, the annual international art fair featuring contemporary works from more than 170 galleries. The event will run April 24-27 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall.
This marks the second year EXPO will be held since it was acquired by Frieze, a London-based company that began as a magazine and now owns several art fairs, including The Armory Show in New York. While last year's show occurred about six months after the acquisition, this year's show more fully reflects the benefits the fair has realized from being part of a global firm, said EXPO Chicago president and director Tony Karman. One example is the special collaboration this year with the Galleries Association of Korea, a result of the relationships built around Frieze's partnerships in Seoul.
'It was a logical extension for us to work together in Chicago, given the large number of Korean galleries that always did the Chicago art fair,' Karman said. 'There's a foundation that's been established over many, many, many years, and now that we're part of the Frieze family, it's a perfect addition.'
Visitors can also expect to see a refinement of EXPO's floor plan and programming. 'Contrast,' curated by Lauren Haynes, is one such example. Haynes, who is head curator of Governors Island Arts and vice president for Arts and Culture at the Trust for Governors Island, said she designed the section to highlight diverse viewpoints through visual storytelling.
The lineup includes archival photographs by Roy Lewis, Bob Crawford and K. Kofi Moyo, members of Chicago's Black Arts Movement who documented the 1977 Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, held in Lagos, Nigeria. Works by South African artist Esther Mahlangu, the late American artist Thornton Dial, the late Brazilian Indigenous artist Chico da Silva, Chicago-based Kenyan artist Wangari Mathenge and many others will be featured in 'Contrast.'
'It's interesting — the work I've done for my whole curatorial career has been about different perspectives,' Haynes said, noting that she spent a decade earlier in her career at the Studio Museum of Harlem.
EXPO will continue to spotlight the work of galleries 10 years old and younger in its 'Exposure' section. Rosario Güiraldes, curator of visual arts at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, heads up the section for the second year in a row — a departure for EXPO, which usually invites a new section curator each year. 'Exposure' will focus on galleries from Latin America as well as Chicago, featuring many artists, including Brazilian sculptor Denise Milan.
Across the fair, dozens of solo, group and thematic presentations will feature numerous artists, including photographer Rashid Johnson, the first Chicago exhibition of the work of portrait artist Kandy G Lopez, the late photographer Gordon Parks, the late abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler, the late painter Juanita Guccione and many more.
We put together some programming highlights — both on and off the Pier.
Creative Voices: Fashion, Art and Cultural Impact: Artists Derrick Adams and Hebru Brantley — both of whom have works featured in The Collection at Fashion Outlets of Chicago — will discuss how art and fashion transform trends and public spaces. Michael Darling, former chief curator of Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, will moderate. 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 24 at EXPO Chicago; requires Opening Night ticket, available at expochicago.com
South Side Night: EXPO Art Week kicks off with a number of programs scattered across Hyde Park and Bronzeville. 'Toast to the South Side,' from 6-7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, will feature a performance by Margaret Crowley and Eli Greene in the church's basketball court. 5-9 p.m. April 22 in various locations; details at expochicago.com
Tour of the Conservation Center: Get an inside glimpse of conservation laboratories (designed by Studio Gang Architects) and hear from experts who care for private and corporate art collections. 11 a.m.-noon April 23 at The Conservation Center, 400 N. Wolcott Ave., Suite 3E; registration required at theconservationcenter.com
Exhibition Tour with Alice Gray Stites: Attend a guided tour of 'Truth or Dare: A Reality Show' presented by 21c Chicago chief curator and museum director Alice Gray Stites. The show explores the space between fact and fiction by stressing the importance of questioning. 4-5 p.m. April 25 at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago, 55 E. Ontario St.; free, expochicago.com
Gustavo Nazareno Talk: Afro-Brazilian artist Gustavo Nazareno talks with Danny Dunson, director of curatorial services and community partnerships for the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. The topic will be 'Flashing Blackness: Afro-Brazilian Art Through Expressions of the Divine.' 2 p.m. April 26 at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place; free RSVP at eventbrite.com
Im/Migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago: Artists Carlos Barberena, Alfonso 'Piloto' Nieves Ruiz and Pooja Pittie — all featured in an Intuit Art Museum exhibit open through Jan. 11, 2026 — will reflect on how migration and self-taught art have enriched Chicago's culture. The panel discussion will be moderated by Alison Amick, chief curator of the Intuit Art Museum, and independent curator Dana Boutin. 1-2 p.m. April 27 at EXPO Chicago; details at expochicago.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
These Korean Whiskeys Are Giving Japan And Scotland A Run For Their Money
A line of tasting glasses filled with different types of Whiskies for tasting, with the focus on the ... More second glass, the rest is out of focus For years, whisky in Korea was something you poured at a karaoke bar to impress your boss—or drank with imported Scotch while making awkward small talk at a business dinner. But in the past few years, the country's relationship with whiskey has shifted from boardroom obligation to genuine obsession. Today, a new generation of distillers is shaping Korea's whisky future with locally distilled, aged, and blended spirits that stand proudly on their own. It's not just imitation Scotch anymore—these bottles are uniquely Korean, expressive, and in many cases, surprisingly delicious. Here's what you need to know about Korean whisky's roots, and a few bottles you should seek out if you want to drink like you're ahead of the trend. Glass of whiskey with ice cubes on the old barrel. With copy space on wooden background Whisky in Korea has long been synonymous with imports—mostly Scotch and, more recently, Japanese whisky. Local conglomerates like HiteJinro and Doosan dabbled in bottling blends under license, but true domestic whisky? Not so much. That started to change in the 2010s. Changes to Korea's liquor laws made small-scale distilling more feasible, and a few adventurous makers—some with Scotch whisky pedigrees—began laying down barrels. Thus the country's decision to go with that whisky spelling rather than whiskey. Now, Korea is starting to produce some genuinely interesting whiskeys of its own. They may not have decades in the barrel (yet), but they do have something Scotch never will: a Korean passport and a local perspective. Ki One 'Tiger Edition' Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province Three Societies is where Korean whisky officially found its cool older cousin who studied abroad and came back with stories. Founded by Korean-American entrepreneur Bryan Do and helmed by Scottish master distiller Andrew Shand (formerly of The Macallan), this is the country's first true single malt distillery. The Ki One Tiger Edition—their first release—was bottled at a cask-strength 56.2% ABV and made from 100% Korean barley. It's got warm notes of roasted chestnut, apricot jam, grain biscuits, and a whisper of citrus peel, with a surprisingly structured finish for something so young. Think of it as Korea's whisky debutante ball—and yes, she wore tiger stripes. The Signature Busan Golden Blue is kind of like Korea's Crown Royal: loved, ubiquitous, and smoother than you'd expect. It's technically a blend and clocks in at a modest 36.5% ABV, which means it's legally whiskey in Korea, but it might raise eyebrows elsewhere. That said, this is a bottle built for session sipping. The Signature offers flavors of light honey, grain toast, and a faint floral tea finish, and it goes down easier than a Zoom call with the camera off. It's especially popular with Korean drinkers who are just starting to explore whisky, or anyone who wants to feel fancy without working too hard for it. Photography of a glass whisky with ice. North Gyeongsang Province Named after Korea's mythical white tiger and Mount Paektu (the spiritual 'roof' of the Korean peninsula), this new distillery is aiming for myth-making right out of the gate. And surprisingly? They might just pull it off. The Paektu Malt offers delicate notes of Asian pear, almond, oak spice, and jujube, wrapped in a silky texture that suggests careful blending and a lot of taste-testing (for science, of course). With more regional cask experiments on the way, White Tiger could be the one to watch if you like your whisky with a backstory and a bite. Korean whiskey is still in its early chapters—but it's already telling some compelling stories. While many of these bottles are hard to find outside Korea (for now), that's part of the fun. Next time you're browsing the spirits aisle or stocking your global whiskey shelf, leave a little room for Seoul. You'll be glad you did.
Axios
2 hours ago
- Axios
The Rhythm Foundation seeks contract extension to continue programming at Miami Beach Bandshell
When I meet new folks in Miami, it usually goes something like this: "I live in North Beach — about a 10-minute walk to the Bandshell." It's a quick way for folks to orient themselves; the unique structure can't be missed. Why it matters: The venue, built in the 1960s and included in the National Register of Historic Places, is not only a recognizable landmark, but a cornerstone of the North Beach community and pillar of Miami's music scene. And with luxury projects redeveloping the neighborhood, the venue is integral to maintaining the North Beach feel. Driving the news: The Bandshell's management arm, the Rhythm Foundation, later this month will ask Miami Beach commissioners to extend its contract for another nine years. The Miami Beach-based nonprofit's current agreement is through 2029. What they're saying: An extension, according to the Foundation's team, would allow for long-term planning and to be "better positioned to seek multi-year funding from foundations, corporations and private individuals." Flashback: Since the 1960s, the venue has hosted concerts, televised shows, dance nights, private events, movie screenings and even roller skating events. In 2009, it underwent major renovations, and later, in 2015, the city sought a professional management company and chose the Rhythm Foundation, which had been bringing live music and cultural programming to the beach since the late 1980s. Today, the Bandshell remains a gathering point for residents, both for ticketed shows and free, accessible community events — with much of the programming linked to the Rhythm Foundation. Zoom in: In the 2014-15 season, the Foundation hosted 26 events and attracted 9,100 guests. In the 2023-24 season, that number jumped to 148 events with more than 79,300 guests, per the organization. The season runs from September to July. The venue "goes dark" in August. Zoom out: With 55 nonprofit partners, the Foundation supports its mission of providing cultural experiences to the community by offering free shows and events. The annual lineup includes the North Beach Social, a free, monthly concert featuring Miami-based bands, and Arts in the Parks, a five-part, free event that highlights music, theater, dance and choir.
Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Boston Globe
A quick guide to this year's Boston Early Music Festival
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up There are at least three offerings packed into most days of the festival. Sometimes there are more. It's a maybe-overwhelming array of options, so if you don't know where to start, here are some picks for events I wouldn't want to miss. Advertisement OPERATIC OFFERINGS The elaborate centerpiece opera, which will be performed four times during the week (June 8-June 15), is an institution of the festival. Usually, musical directors Paul O'Dette and Stephen Stubbs and stage director Gilbert Blin put up a deep cut from the Baroque repertoire that even seasoned opera-goers may never have heard of, let alone seen performed. No effort is spared in the production, which features a full baroque orchestra in the pit, sumptuous sets and costumes, and a dance company led by Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière in addition to the cast of singers, which features Hungarian soprano and BEMF veteran Emőke Baráth in the title role this year. Advertisement It's also a 3-hour time commitment, so if that's more than you want to bite off, consider the chamber opera double bill of Telemann's short and snappy comedy 'Pimpinone' and dramatic cantata 'Ino,' going up at Jordan Hall on June 14 with more performances in Great Barrington later in June. THE REGULARS ARE COMING! This year's biennial marks the 23rd for the festival, and it has nourished a network of world-class performers and ensembles that have become regular visitors. Violinist Robert Mealy, head of Yale University's respected early music program, leads the festival's in-house orchestra, which is primarily occupied in the pit for the opera, but it takes center stage with its own program of water-inspired works by Handel and Telemann (June 12). The 'Octavia' singers are booked and busy as well on their off nights - tenor Aaron Sheehan joins Paul O'Dette for a wine-soaked recital program (June 9), soprano Sherezade Panthaki teams up with Austria-based Ensemble Castor (June 10), and nearly the whole gang piles on stage for Saturday evening's post-chamber-opera extravaganza. (June 14) BEMF presents the Tallis Scholars in a Yuletide concert most years, but they're on hand during this summer festival for two programs – one with the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble (June 9) and a Sistine Chapel-inspired program on their own (June 11). And I'm personally biased because I have a friend in period string ensemble ACRONYM, but I never pass up a chance to see them – and going by the fact that this is the group's fourth consecutive festival, neither do the BEMF organizers. Advertisement RARER SIGHTS & SOUNDS Boston Camerata is hardly an unfamiliar name around town, but for BEMF, the ensemble is rolling out the local debut of 'A Gallery of Kings,' which premiered to acclaim at France's Reims Cathedral several years ago. Stephen Stubbs is also known around these parts for being one of BEMF's creative head honchos, but he also artistic directs the Seattle-based Pacific MusicWorks, which makes its BEMF debut in the late-night slot on June 10 with the intriguingly titled 'Murder, Mayhem, Melancholy, and Madness,' featuring soprano Danielle Reuter-Harrah. The relentlessly creative Norwegian ensemble Trio Mediaeval is returning to the festival after several years away, with an intriguing lineup of chant by Hildegard von Bingen and elaborate songs by English composer Leonel Power; their arrangements feature a miniature organ, hurdy-gurdy, and Hardanger fiddle – a Norwegian violin variant known for its haunting, resonant sound (June 11). Montreal-based Constantinople, helmed by Kiya Tabassian on the setar (three-stringed Persian lute), is behind the Bach and Khayyam program; soprano Hana Blažíková lends her voice to the group, which incorporates classical Middle Eastern instruments alongside the Baroque European. BOSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL June 8-15. Various venues. A.Z. Madonna can be reached at
