There’s a lot of great art to be thankful for this month. As the leaves change color and the holidays begin, here are nine awesome shows to check out in November.
SOFA Chicago The annual Sculpture Objects Functional Art + Design Fair returns to Navy Pier. Browse booths featuring hundreds of artists working with jewelry, glass, ceramics, fiber art and other mediums at this long-running exposition of three-dimensional art. (Navy Pier Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Ave, Nov 3 5-9pm, Nov 4–5 11am-7pm, Nov 6 12-6pm. $20)
"Dumping Trump: Art Against the Donald" and "BIG Small Works" Elephant Room Gallery’s Bridgeport location presents two group exhibitions in November. The first, “Dumping Trump,” is a one-night-only art protest by award-winning illustrators and other artists—a portion of sales will go to scholarships for local undocumented students. The second, “BIG Small Works,” continues through the holidays and includes paintings, photos, sculptures, and mixed media pieces that are all 30x30 inches or smaller. (Elephant Room Gallery at C.C.’s Art Garage, 2727 S. Mary St, Nov 3 5-9pm and Nov 11 6-9pm. Free)
"Corrections" Zora J. Murff’s “Corrections” photo series spotlights incarcerated youth at Linn County Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services. The portraits in this solo show explore issues related to race and class and how they affect children in the system. (Filter Space, 1821 W. Hubbard St, Ste 207, Opens Nov 4 6-9pm. Free)
"Round and Round" Resident artist Johana Moscoso has collaborated with Latina immigrant and first generation Americans in Chicago for this show of fiber art and performance, honoring her own family’s history and exploring the intersection of labor and gender. (Chicago Artists Coalition, 217 N. Carpenter St, Opens Nov 4 6-9pm. Free)
CONNECT: Hyde Park Arts Festival For three days, various locations in downtown Hyde Park will showcase the latest in local visual arts, literature, film, music, performance, design and fashion at this free festival presented by the Silver Room and the University of Chicago. (Various locations in Hyde Park, Nov 18 5-10pm, Nov 19 12-10pm, Nov 20 12-5pm. Free)
"Decked Out" and 6th Annual Beautiful Souls Coffin Show Two group exhibitions occupy 4Art Gallery this month: In “Decked Out,” 40 local artists have created their own designs on 60 skate decks; and the 6th annual “Beautiful Souls Coffin Show,” presented by Mujeres Mutantes, combines Día de los Muertos with Halloween and celebrates both loved ones and the self through the display of 50 miniature coffins. (4Art Space, Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th St, #403, Opens Nov 18 6-10pm. Free)
ChiResists: Water Is Life! This event features an art auction and exhibition, music performances and workshops, with all proceeds going toward supplies to help the water protectors at Standing Rock through the winter and towards educating the community. (La Catrina, 1011 W. 18th St, Opens Nov 19 4-9pm. $5-10 donation)
Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.