September in Chicago means the launch of art gallery season. With Expo Chicago, Gallery Weekend Chicago and a general scramble to take in as much as possible within the last official weeks of summer, it can get overwhelming. Here are a dozen art shows to see this month.
Around the Coyote: Now in its fifth year at the Flat Iron Arts Building, “Around the Coyote” is a three-day festival celebrating the art of Wicker Park. More than 30 visiting artists will display new work on the walls and in studios, and tenant artists will open their studios for tours and shows. (Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N Milwaukee Ave, September 4, 6-10pm, September 5-6, noon-5pm. $5 suggested donation)
Froots: This bright and colorful show by Brooklyn’s dream team of Chris Uphues, Buried Diamond and Killer Acid features original drawings, paintings, prints and sculptures, as well as a custom-built fruit cart filled with merchandise. (Galerie F, 2381 N Milwaukee Ave, Sept 4, 6-10pm. Free.)
Making Chances: The central exhibition of the citywide Platforms program, “Making Chances” illuminates the identity, history and community of Chances Dances, the radically inclusive queer dance party that builds safer spaces and supports local artists and activists. (Gallery 400, 400 S Peoria St, Sept 11, 5-8pm. Free.)
Excerpts from a Fading Bloom: In this solo exhibition by Chicago-based sculptor Jason Hawk, sculptural landscapes expose a layered civilization—an evolving cultural dialogue built upon once powerful objects that are abandoned for the next glittering status symbol. (Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N Milwaukee Ave, Sept 11, 6-10pm. Free.)
Vision Quest: Chicago Truborn and Thunder Circus present the work of Kashink, one of the most predominant female artists in the French graffiti and street art scene. At this debut solo show, look forward to original paintings, two on-site murals, limited edition screen prints and an exclusive run of tees. (Chicago Truborn, 1741 W Chicago Ave, Sept 12, 6pm. Free.)
Culture Crawl: Culture Coast is proud to present its first Culture Crawl, an all-day event highlighting cultural gems, including a “Black Comic Book Heroes and Villains” exhibition, outdoor art-making activities, guided gallery tours, dance lessons and more. (Various locations, Sept 12, 10am-8pm. Free.)
Ten x Ten: Ten x Ten is the manifestation of a year-long collaboration between 10 musicians and 10 visual artists. Producing organizations Homeroom and Spudnik Press, along with guest curator Elastic Arts, highlight the Chicago free jazz community to see how artists across media interpret improvisation. (Elastic Arts, 3429 W Diversey Ave, 2nd floor, Sept 12, 9pm. $15.)
Warm Kitty, Soft Kitty and Creatures from the Concrete: “Warm Kitty, Soft Kitty” is an exhibit of artists who explore the sensation of touch. The show addresses the tactile experience and how it can be documented outside of individual memory to influence the creation of collective perceptions. “Creatures from the Concrete” celebrates the talents of seven female graffiti and street artists. With a focus on their inspirations and social justice issues, they have come together to create a 90-foot multimedia mural. (Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S Cornell Ave, Sept 13, 3-5pm. Free.)
A-->$: Smithfield Properties and Classic Color are holding a preview of an installation by Thirst that spans 33 floors and consists of 90 unique images inspired by the alphabet. Guests will receive a keepsake set of all letters in “A-->$” crafted by Classic Color. The rooftop will be open for for music and views of the Chicago skyline. (805 N LaSalle Drive, Sept 15, 6-8:30pm. Free.)
Salon Style: 4Art Gallery is pleased to announce its second annual salon-style exhibition. More than 20 artists will showcase 100-plus works of art with a modern take on the Salon de Paris. (4Art Gallery, 1029 W 35th St, 4th Floor of the Zhou B Art Center, Sept 18, 6-10pm. Free.)
La Palette: The Chicago Palette: This examination places photographs of Chicago-based contemporary painters’ palettes alongside their finished works. These portraits reveal the diversity of artists’ techniques and tap into the growing field of a technical art history that seeks to understand an artist through her or his process. (Ed Paschke Art Center, 5415 W Higgins Ave, Sept 19, 10am-7pm. Free.)
solarise: a sea of all colors: Luftwerk’s site-specific series of immersive light installations echoes Garfield Park Conservatory designer Jens Jensen’s sentiment for public interaction with nature, highlighting and elevating the importance nature plays in society and urban planning. (Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave, Sept 23, 9am-5pm. Free.)