march (renovation) madness at the salon
March at the Chicago Fine Art Salon is a dynamic time where creativity intertwines with construction. Amidst ongoing upgrades, the Salon remains a hub for artistic exploration and growth. Happy Saint Paddy’s everyone.
Firstly, for those eager to refine their skills, figure drawing classes hosted at Art City are now open for registration. Led by experienced instructors, the class delves into the nuances of capturing the human form, offering you an opportunity to hone your techniques in a supportive environment.
Already know what you’re doing, just looking for a space to practice painting or sketching live models? Saturdays uninstructed studio sessions. Artists are invited to explore and experiment freely, drawing inspiration from the Salon's ambiance and fellow creatives.
Construction efforts hope to enhance the visitor experience -improved lighting and revamped gallery spaces promise to create an immersive environment for art enthusiasts.
The Salon's "Capture" All Photography Show is a highlight of March, inviting photographers to showcase their unique perspectives. Submissions are ongoing, offering shutterbugs a platform to share their frozen moments in time.
Visit this months installation “Intricate Diaspora” and our New Gallery collection by Matt Perrin, Unearthed Cosmos.
March at the Chicago Fine Art Salon encapsulates a spirit of growth and transformation. As construction progresses, so too does the Salon's commitment to nurturing a vibrant artistic community. Artists and enthusiasts are welcomed to embrace the dynamic atmosphere and endless opportunities for creative expression.
season of love with chicago fine art salon <33
happy month of love to one and all!!
As we transition from the Love show to the upcoming events, Chicago Fine Art Salon extends heartfelt congratulations to all exhibiting artists who showcased their work with us at the LOVE Opening Reception, and our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate and support these incredible artists. Your presence made the evening truly special, and we're grateful for your continued support of the arts community.
We're eagerly looking forward to a year brimming with creativity, inspiration, and artistry, starting with our Capture call for art.
"CAPTURE," our photography-only exhibition is now open for applications. We invite talented photographers to showcase their perspectives and stories through their lens. Open to all themes and subjects, CAPTURE is our first photography-only show, with the only requirement being that the medium must be photography of some kind. The online gallery opens March 1st and the submission deadline is April 21st, but apply sooner rather than later and you can save on submission fees! For more details and submission guidelines, please visit our Call for Art page, or contact us with questions.
Chicago Fine Art Salon has expanded its reach and is now hosting CFAS artists’ work at ArtCity in Lincoln Park, providing more space to showcase captivating artworks and host immersive experiences. Additionally, our online collection is expanding every month to make it easier for our patrons to explore our collection from the comfort of their homes. As Valentine's Day approaches, why not celebrate with a one-of-a-kind gift from Chicago Fine Art Salon? Show your love in a unique way this Valentine's Day by gifting a piece of art that will be cherished for years to come.
At Chicago Fine Art Salon, we believe that art has the power to inspire, provoke thought, and foster connections. As we embark on this new chapter, we're grateful for the continued support of our community and eager to explore the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. We are now in the process of renovating our Salon space, and will be having a grand reopening this spring!
Here's to a year filled with creativity, passion, and discovery.
Seize the chance to bring home a piece of beauty and creativity. Decorate your living space with unique artwork and support your community; shop prints and originals before their gone :-)
as always, write our team any time.
until next time,
xoxo
cfas team <3
december blog: small works artist spotlight
winter blog post: artist spotlights from our small works show
December 2023
The Chicago Fine Art Salon proudly hosted our Small Works Winter Exhibition on December 1st, featuring art no larger than 18’’ in any direction, proving that good things can come in small packages. We had almost 100 pieces on display and featured over thirty artists from Chicago and around the country. The show's prompt allowed for a broad spectrum of submissions with a host of diverse themes and mediums ranging from Cityscape photography to abstract watercolor to feminist collage. Three artists, in particular, stood out to us, all featured in the show and hailing from the Chicago area.
Jason Schroeder, a photographer and artist currently working in Chicago, had three pieces on display at the Salon. All highlighted different cityscape scenes in Chicago. "The Bean Has Landed" and "Autumn in Grant Park" presented more traditional layouts of Chicago, while "My Blue Rhythm" showed an abstract closeup of reflections in windows of a highrise, capturing a rectangular, geometric pattern that displayed the intricacy of the building and the vibrant blue sky. With perpendicular shapes and skewed horizon lines, "My Blue Rhythm" existed in a world between realism and abstraction. The colors and patterns created by the windows turned it into an abstract piece with sloping perspectives and differing shades of blue. "The Bean Has Landed," the only black and white photograph in his featured works, showcased stark, contrasting shadows in the iconic reflective sculpture against the backdrop of beautiful Chicago skyscrapers. The monotone color scheme highlighted spotty clouds in the background, paying homage to the Chicago Bean while documenting the city's architecture.
Hannah Lynn, a South Chicago-based painter, artist, and writer, showcased an abstract watercolor series at the Salon comparable to traditional Chinese ink wash paintings, but with color. "Babel," "Kaleidoscopic," and "Primordial" exhibited delicate blending between purples, greens, blues, and more. With abstract forms resembling mountain ranges swirling from left to right, viewers could choose to see either landscapes or abstract shapes and colors. The duality of these pieces made them a mix between abstract and realism, inviting viewers to get lost in these small paintings. "Kaleidoscopic" delicately blurred the lines between blues, pinks, greens, and all other colors to create a landscape that depicted a mountain range, water, or any other abstraction the mind could conjure. The concentration of lines and color, paired with thin, arching lines leading into the left, formed an ambiguous scene that led the eyes to follow how all the lines connected in a harmonious circle. Most of Lynn’s work had this hypnotic effect, and it was hard to believe that all the detail seen in the painting was contained within an 8.5’’ by 5.5’’ frame.
Jolie Nunez-Noggle, a mixed media and collage artist running "Riot Grrrl Press," contributed three collage works to our show, named "Becoming a Monster," "Infectious," and "Hold my Bones," all carrying a feminist message. "Becoming a Monster" depicted a young girl cut from an old magazine with one eye and tentacles emerging from behind her. Encased in a gold beaded frame, the words “this little lady is becoming a monster” labeled the girl at the bottom. This piece showcased the delicate line between girlhood and becoming a “woman,” which can be a monstrous process. Framing the portrait with glittering beads revealed the lighthearted side of girlhood, one with fun crafts and a shining future, despite suggesting that the girl is becoming a monster. Choosing a cutout from a vintage magazine paid homage to old stereotypes and expectations for young women, then and now. Overall, the piece was a playful yet serious exploration of the challenges of womanhood, expressing a complex topic in the simplicity of "Becoming a Monster."
Although we only reviewed three artists’ works here, there’s more incredible work that deserves attention. Check out the Small Works Online Gallery for more incredible pieces such as mosaics, oil paintings, sculpture, and more here.
our november update :-)
Welcome to the Chicago Fine Art Salon Blog
Lincoln Park witnessed the exciting grand opening of Art City, a painting studio and gallery that promises to be a dynamic center of creativity. The event brought together artists, art enthusiasts, and the curious in a celebration of all things creative. Thank you to everyone who came out to shop, connect, and support Art City.
The grand opening introduced our first Monthly Installation Art Residency (MIAR) artist in the storefront window; the talented sculptor Michelle Alexander unveiled her mesmerizing installation, "Hollow Shell," which drew the attention of all in attendance. In addition, the New Gallery, also curated by CFAS is now housing a collection of work by Joseph Sikora.
Art City is more than just a gallery; it's a place that fosters creativity for artists of all levels. In addition to exhibitions, the studio will host "paint and sip" sessions, offering a chance to explore your artistic side. It's also home to after-school art education programs, providing young artists ages 10-17 with a platform for self-expression and growth. Registration is open now!
With classes now open for registration, the future at Art City holds even more promise. There will be a free paint n’ sip class open for registration for this Friday! RSVP as soon as possible! Art City is poised to become a vital hub for art and creativity in Lincoln Park, a place where artists, art lovers, and the art-curious can come together to explore, learn, and be inspired.
In other news, our CFAS Small Works Winter exhibition Online Gallery is now on display, so please enjoy the growing collection or apply to be a part of it. Opening Reception is December 1st, come enjoy some refreshments, listen to music and shop the collection. RSVP for your free ticket today.
more updates to come,
cfas team
salon’s first post!!!
Welcome to the Chicago Fine Art Salon Blog
Hello readers!! And welcome to the inaugural blog post of Chicago Fine Art Salon! We are thrilled to embark on this journey of sharing our passion for art, creativity, and community with you. As a small business art gallery and studio, we have always believed that art has the power to inspire, connect, and transform lives. Today, we're excited to take a step further and invite you to join us on our adventure through these posts as we continue to grow and expand.
Our Journey So Far
Before we dive into the exciting updates about our second location, let's take a moment to reflect on our journey thus far. Chicago Fine Art Salon started as a dream, a vision to create a space where art lovers and creators could come together to nurture their artistic spirit. We poured our heart and soul into curating captivating exhibitions, offering inspiring workshops, and fostering a vibrant community of artists and enthusiasts.
Throughout this journey, we have been humbled by the support and enthusiasm of our incredible patrons, artists, and collaborators. Your unwavering belief in our mission has fueled our passion and allowed us to continue doing what we love.
Expanding Our Horizons
The time has come to take the next step in our artistic odyssey. We are thrilled to announce that Chicago Fine Art Salon will soon be expanding to a second location! Art City at 1400 N Halsted in Lincoln Park. This expansion represents not only our growth but also our commitment to bringing art closer to even more people.
As we prepare to embark on this new chapter, we want to bring you along for the ride. Our blog will serve as a window into our world, providing you with regular updates on our progress, behind-the-scenes glimpses of our creative process, and insights into the vibrant art communities we are a part of.
What to Expect from Our Blog
Starting from this post, we will be posting weekly to keep you in the loop about all things CFAS. Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect:
Spotlight on Artists: Get to know the talented artists we collaborate with. Discover their stories, inspirations, and the incredible artwork they create.
Workshop Announcements: Stay up-to-date with our upcoming workshops and classes, designed to unleash your inner artist and help you hone your creative skills.
Gallery Insights: Explore the thought process behind our exhibitions, the artists we feature, and the themes that inspire us.
Community Stories: Hear from members of our artistic community, including our team, artists, and students, about their experiences and journeys with art.
Second Location Updates: Follow our journey as we expand our operation through Art City, our sister company and secondary location, offering kids classes, sip n’ paint, and monthly installation art and galleries. Check out the website here.
We Can't Do It Without You
Our expansion wouldn't be possible without your continued support and enthusiasm. We invite you to engage with us through this blog, share your thoughts and ideas, and be a part of our growing artistic family.
Thank you for being a part of our journey, and here's to many more chapters of art, creativity, and community.
Until our next post, keep creating, keep dreaming, and keep making art a part of your life.
Warm regards,
CFAS Team