PICTURES OF YOU – Bridgeport Art Center

Robert James Johnson, Not Enough Heart to Go Around (detail), 2024, oil on canvas

Pictures of You, January 16–March 6, 2026

Last weekend, a uniquely eclectic portrait exhibition, titled Pictures of You, opened in the Fourth Floor Gallery of the Bridgeport Art Center. The exhibition curated by Marci Rubin, presents a wide-ranging assortment of portraiture across a variety of contemporary practices. 

In selecting the exhibition, Rubin brought together an expansive mixture of painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, textile, and sculpture reflecting approaches that range from conservatively traditional to boldly experimental. The exhibition is installed in a salon-style format, to accommodate the extensive diversity of the work on view.

Robert James Johnson, Not Enough Heart to Go Around (detail), 2024, oil on canvas, 84"x84"

One of the more intriguing pieces in the show was created by Robert James Johnson. The seven-foot square canvas titled Not Enough Heart to Go Around is impossible to ignore.

The brilliantly colorful canvas combines classical technique with symbolic imagery, reinterpreted within a contemporary context. Johnson references historically familiar compositions yet paints with emotion, resulting in a deeply personal inflection. The artist appears to include himself within the composition, a gesture that may offer insight into the work’s title.

Together, these elements might imply the emotional transition or vulnerability of being caught between giving of oneself and self-preservation. And perhaps the repeated figure might also imply an internal dialogue, reinforcing the work’s focus on the psychological experience rather than the narrative. In any case, the painting deserves careful contemplation.

I’ve always believed that the creation of art was a version of therapy—dealing with our personal issues or observations of the world around us—while side-stepping the involvement of a therapist. So, is the painting critique of today's society? Does it reference inequality, injustice or neglect? Is it a comment on the world in which we live? The fear of not having enough... the fear of giving so much that nothing is left?

The three figures in the painting—each a presumed likeness of the artist wearing a pensive expression—seem to represent the passage of time. The space suggests a room with a centralized table. On the table, a human heart rests on a silver tray, becoming the focal point of the composition and the painting’s title. Across the top of the canvas, a symbolic heartbeat pulsing briefly before flatlining and concluding with a fast-forward symbol entwined by a poisonous coral snake.

While the exhibition includes works that demonstrate solid traditional technical skills, the collection also challenges the typical ideas of portraiture by offering a range of contemporary approaches. Through the use of diverse materials and styles, Pictures of You emphasizes the ongoing exploration of the portrait in contemporary art.

Mey-Mey Lim Sojourner Stoneware 2017 15x11x8

John Benton, Point of View, 2023, oil on canvas, 20" x 24"

Katharine Oltogge, Melancholy, 2025, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

Pictures of You continues through March 6, 2026 in the Fourth Floor Gallery of the Bridgeport Art Center, which is located at 1200 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609. Learn more at bridgeportart.com/

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Robert James Johnson is a 2024 recipient of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Individual Artist Program grant. He is a graduate of Studio Incamminati School of Contemporary Realist Art in Philadelphia and holds a BFA from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Originally from Miami, he is now based in Chicago.

Marci Rubin
Fiber based Installation/Sculpture artist/Curator Bridgeport Center Chicago

Marci Rubin earned a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the University of Chicago. Following her graduate studies, she founded Framing Mode & Gallery, a contemporary art gallery and custom framing studio in Chicago’s South Loop, which operated from 2003 to 2018 and functioned as a site for socially engaged artistic practice.

Since 2022, Rubin has served as Curator at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago, where she oversees the curation, design, and installation of exhibitions for the 4th Floor Gallery and Corridor Gallery, alongside an active studio practice. Her work has been exhibited nationally in academic and nonprofit institutions.

 

TIMELESS BODIES Midwest Ceramic Exhibition – Oliva Gallery

Aaron Becker, Firm Foundation, stoneware, 22” x 12” x 9”

TIMELESS BODIES, November 7–December 13, 2025

The first piece of art that I purchased was a small, molded cement sculpture by Thomas Zaroff from Kavi Gupta’s Vedanta Gallery. It was the mid-nineties, and I was at the beginning of my own art career. When I saw the piece, I was enamored. The subject was a brick-sized male figure lying on his back, resting on his elbows with his knees raised—as though reclining on a beach looking at the ocean. I left the gallery without making the purchase but couldn’t stop thinking about the form. The following week, I returned to purchase the sculpture. Thirty years later, it sits on a ledge in my bedroom and still makes me smile.

This weekend, Timeless Bodies: Midwest Ceramic Exhibition opens at Oliva Gallery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. The exhibition—juried by Chicago artist and curator Nancy Pirri—serves as both a regional survey of ceramic sculpture and an invitation to consider how three-dimensional art can be seamlessly incorporated into our personal environments. The exhibition is curated as a series of vignettes—sculpture grouped on pedestals, tables, shelves, and freestanding pieces, complemented with wall-mounted works. The gallery becomes a living environment of ceramic, alluding to how one might live with sculpture.

There is an inherent intimacy in ceramic sculpture—each form shaped by the human hand and displaying the tactile evidence of its creation: the subtle impressions of a fingertip or the surface of the palm. These works are not necessarily intended to dominate a space, but rather to coexist harmoniously within it, enriching daily life by transforming space, reshaping light, and—most importantly—inviting deeper connection through contemplation. Whether positioned on a pedestal, arranged in a bookcase, or placed on a tabletop, a ceramic form possesses the capacity to transform its surroundings, quietly inviting meditative reflection. 

Timeless Bodies explores the enduring power of the human form as expressed through ceramic art, featuring a dynamic range of sculptural works that span realism and abstraction. This exhibition offers a glimpse into the beautifully thought-provoking ceramic art being created throughout the region. 

Aaron Becker’s Firm Foundation loosely reinterprets the prehistoric Venus of Willendorf through a contemporary lens, drawing upon the ancient figure’s exaggerated, bulbous forms while presenting only the lower half of the body. By isolating this segment, Becker emphasizes the grounding and stability implied by the title, transforming a symbol of fertility into a commentary on endurance and cultural layering. The sculpture’s muted tones contrast the subtle defacing marks that cover the form. In this fusion of prehistoric reference and urban intervention, Firm Foundation becomes a unique dialogue between past and present, permanence and impermanence.

Dawn Liddicoatt, Trappings #6, stoneware, 12” x 9” x 9” 

Dawn Liddicoatt’s Trappings #6 presents a fragmented female torso that appears to be dissolving. Muted in color and finished with a rough yet molten texture, the sculpture evokes a sense of erosion and transformation, as if the figure were succumbing to time itself. The work suggests the destruction or disintegration of the human form, yet within the decay lies a quiet beauty—an echo of endurance. Consistent with Liddicoatt’s ongoing exploration of connection, time, place, and history, Trappings #6 reflects the fragile relationship between humanity and the environment, blurring the boundary between body and landscape.

Susan Volk’s Iris stands as a meditation on grace and quiet strength—a vision of the sacred feminine rendered in sculptural form. The head of a woman rises with an elongated neck, its surface carved in flowing, ornamental patterns that echo the organic elegance of Mucha’s line. Her eyes are gently closed, as if turned inward toward reflection, while fragile glass tears descend along her cheeks, catching the light like prisms of emotion. Muted yet radiant, the sculpture balances poise and vulnerability, beauty and sorrow. In Iris, Volk weaves together themes of human nature, and reverence, transforming the female form into an emblem of timeless serenity and spiritual resilience.

Susan Volk, Iris, stoneware/glass, 21” x 9” x 11”

Timeless Bodies is on view at Oliva Gallery from November 7 through December 13, 2025. An artist talk is scheduled for Saturday, November 15th from 3–5pm. 

Artists Participating in Timeless Bodies include: Nikki Renee Anderson, Monica Bâlc, Lynn Basa, Aaron Becker, Sharon Bladholm, Debbie Burk, Lisa Farris, Autumn Horwath, Lynda Lawson Karr, Jayne King, Dawn Liddicoatt, Linda Marcus, Johannah Tomita Martin, Amber Matthews, Suzanne Mauro, Carole McCurdy, Bobbi Meier, Arny Nadler, Andryea Natkin, Alexis Lee Ortiz-Duarte, Roberta Ulrich-de Oliveira, Susan Volk, Christopher Williams, Runhui Xu, and Thomas Zamiar.

Oliva Gallery is located at 3816 W. Armitage Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60647. Learn more at olivagallery.com

Aaron Becker aka BaBBLEoN is a recording artist and trained ceramicist that has manifested an evolving art practice creating a truly unique interdisciplinary way of life. Born in Wisconsin, grew up in Minnesota and now resides in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood, Becker has held down a ceramic business, teaches classes, created art collectives and recently launched Asif1111.com which will serve as a multimedia hub for himself and other teaching artists. Becker creates expressive works of art around the idea of spirit and human experience with strong sense of technique and aesthetic.

Dawn Liddicoatt is a multidisciplinary artist whose primary focus is on creating hand-built ceramics and figurative sculpture in clay. Her work explores themes of connection, time, place, and history—particularly as they relate to geologic processes and the human relationship with the environment. Drawn to the tactile nature of working with clay, she often constructs representations of the human form, especially the female figure. This interest has led her to revisit the origins of such imagery by reinterpreting Paleolithic Venus figurines and developing her own contemporary versions. Her Venus on Horseback, for example, possesses greater agency than the traditional Venus figures, which are typically depicted without hands or feet—this Venus moves through the world with purpose. A committed anti-racist, Liddicoatt also uses her art to explore, document, and illuminate issues of race and social justice, while emphasizing the shared bonds that connect all people.

Susan Volk is a Chicago based artist who works in oil paint, ceramic sculpture and mixed media. Beginning her academic career at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, she later attended the Art Institute of Chicago where she received a Bachelor of Fine Art in painting and sculpture. Her current work explores the themes of human nature, archetypes, and the sacred feminine. She works on both private and public commissions including public murals for Oak Park, Evanston, Chicago’s Italian Village Restaurant, and sculptural work for the corporate headquarters of Turtle Wax Company. Her work has been featured in the 35th Annual Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Designer Showcase House, the celebration of Women’s History Month in the Chicago Public Library System, displayed on billboard for Expose NOLA French Quarter/Jazz Festival in New Orleans, and at the 6th Annual Central Time Juried Ceramics Exhibition. She is currently represented by Edward Montgomery Fine Art Gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, Blue Sky Art Gallery in Santa Fe, NM, and Inner Haven Gallery in Grayslake, IL.

Oliva Gallery is dedicated to showcasing exceptional work by contemporary artists with roots in the Midwest and beyond. Through exhibitions spanning painting, sculpture, and mixed media, the gallery fosters critical dialogue, interdisciplinary exploration, and inclusive cultural engagement.

Thomas Zaroff, 1995, Private Collection

HOLDING SPACE – A Thoughtful Exploration of Healing, Memory, and Material - Oliva Gallery

Jan Nakao, Chicago, 2024, oil, 28"x22" 

Holding Space - Opening Reception: Friday, September 5 from 5-9 pm

An Artist Talk is scheduled for Saturday, September 13 from 1-3 pm

I’ve been painting for decades. There have been passionate periods resulting in prolific amounts of work, and slower times devoted to exploring technique and imagery. In both cases, the work was always created with sharp focus. Throughout my painting career, there have been many occasions when intense concentration evolved into meditation—dissolving my sense of time and allowing me to paint from the unconscious mind. Even now, I find that once the direction of a painting is established, I need to mentally step back to avoid interfering with a wonderful—and perhaps unexpected—outcome. I’ve come to believe that it’s a God thing.

I share this story because I recently received a press release for a show opening at the Olivia Gallery on Friday, September 5, from 5–9 pm, titled Holding Space - A Thoughtful Exploration of Healing, Memory, and Material. The exhibition brings together artists whose work seems to be guided by a divine influence. Whether understood as spiritual inspiration, an unconscious meditation, or an intuitive force, this influence becomes the common element that shapes each artist’s process. It is the thread of consistency that weaves through the exhibition and links the works together in conversation. 

Holding Space becomes more than a collection of individual pieces; it forms a shared reflection on the presence of something larger than the self within the act of creation. The exhibiting artists are Jan Nakao, Laurie LeBreton, and Macus Alonso. While the work of all three artists is outstanding, my attention turns to the two-dimensional pieces of Jan Nakao.

Influenced by Jungian analysis and trauma psychology, Jan Nakao’s paintings draw on the unconscious mind and the visual language of geometric abstraction. Guided by what the artist describes as a “third hand”—a sense of divine guidance that moves beyond conscious control—the imagery presents a conceptual environment that emerges from beneath conscious thought.

The imagery develops through repeated geometric shapes that often fall into rough, grid-like patterns, suggesting both order and instability. Rather than acting as rigid boundaries, the grids remain open and flexible, creating a rhythm that highlights variation and imperfection—resisting resolution. The paintings are less objects to interpret than spaces to encounter. They invite viewers to sit with ambiguity, letting meaning surface through experience rather than analysis. In this way, Nakao’s paintings act as both maps and mirrors: structured through recurring forms yet deeply personal in their emotional tone. They reflect a search for balance between chaos and control. 

Together, the works of Jan Nakao, Laurie LeBreton, and Macus Alonso offer a compelling exploration of the unseen forces that shape human experience. Each artist, through their distinct approach—whether Nakao’s intuitive dive into the collective unconscious, LeBreton’s tactile meditations on transformation, or Alonso’s vibrant investigations of form and movement—invites viewers to pause, reflect, and engage with the emotional and spiritual dimensions of art. The exhibition creates a shared space where intuition, ritual, and personal story come together, leaving viewers with a sense of reflection and the power of art.

Holding Space – A Thoughtful Exploration of Healing, Memory, and Material, continues through September 27. Oliva Gallery is located at 3816 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647. Learn more at https://www.olivagallery.com/

Jan Nakao, Windows to the World, oil, 28"x22"

About Oliva Gallery
Oliva Gallery is dedicated to showcasing exceptional work by contemporary artists with roots in the Midwest and beyond. Through exhibitions spanning painting, sculpture, and mixed media, the gallery fosters critical dialogue, interdisciplinary exploration, and inclusive cultural engagement.

About Jan Nakao
Jan Nakao, trained as a Jungian psychoanalyst, creates paintings guided by images from the collective unconscious. Her practice draws from decades of work in the field of psychological trauma and is shaped by intuition and the internalized “third hand.” The result is a body of abstract work rich with emotional depth and symbolic resonance. Nakao holds a Diplomate in Jungian Analysis from the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago (2005) and degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Champaign-Urbana.

About Laurie LeBreton

Working with handmade paper and natural materials, Laurie LeBreton constructs large-scale installations that reference ritual garments, natural growth, and inner transformation. Her sculptural work operates in the space between delicacy and resilience. These forms test the boundaries of material and meaning, offering viewers meditative entry points into the emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing.

About Macus Alonso
Macus Alonso’s geometric abstractions investigate structure, rhythm, and movement through color and form. A central theme in Alonso’s practice is the relationship between the body and spatial construction, drawn from multicultural influences and grounded in personal narrative. Her use of layered paint and structural patterning encourages a dialogue between spiritual exploration and material experimentation.
 
 

NATHAN BRAD HALL - “Undercurrents” at Gallery Victor

Nathan Brad Hall, I love You the First Time, oil on linen, 80" x120"

I recently received an email from an old friend who wanted to make sure I knew about an exceptional exhibition that just opened at Gallery Victor in Chicago. He thought I’d be interested, given a series of large-scale male figurative paintings I created in the early 2000s—meditative works exploring the moments between sleep and waking. In those paintings, I used dramatic contrasts of light and dark, “chiaroscuro” inspired by my passion for the paintings of the Italian master Caravaggio. Naturally, I was excited to see the exhibition. So, this past weekend, I ventured out to the River North Gallery District to view the large-scale paintings and charcoal drawings of Nathan Brad Hall.

I wasn’t disappointed. The exhibition is visually stunning—filled with atmosphere, nuance, and a sensitivity to the human experience. Each painting offers a bold and emotionally defenseless rendition of the figure, inviting the viewer into a space of raw vulnerability. Hall paints human emotion—capturing quiet moments of introspection—the moments when we consider possibilities or confront our fears. Through subtle gesture and expression, Hall paints not just the human body, but the emotional undercurrents that run beneath the surface of the flesh.

Nathan Brad Hall, Day Break, oil on linen, 58" x 58"

Lighting becomes a secondary character within Hall’s compositions. At times, it's harsh—emphasizing the musculature of the figurative form. This approach is evident in Day Break as well as in many of Hall’s charcoal-on-paper works. Yet the romantic use of dappled light is also central to his practice. In I Love You the First Time (oil on linen, 80” x 120”), Hall utilizes filtered light for a dreamier effect, with highlights and shadows flowing across the figure and fragmenting the picture plane into abstract areas that guide the viewer’s attention through the composition. The level of detail commands the viewer’s attention: the hair appears dimensional, and the eyes seem to peer directly into the viewer’s soul.

With subtle references to the dramatic realism of Caravaggio, Nathan Brad Hall creates evocative modern meditations of presence, power, and vulnerability. He paints the human form with precision. The depiction of flesh is flawless in its imperfections—both beautiful and scarred, emerging from darkness into stark focus. The compositions are cinematic, yet emotionally intimate. 

The Undercurrents exhibition continues through August 30. Gallery Victor is located at 300 West Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 11-5. Additional Information can be found at galleryvictor.com

Nathan Brad Hall, Haven, charcoal on paper, 29.5" x 23.5"

Nathan in the studio with I Love You the First Time

Nathan Brad Hall lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. His work has been widely exhibited and is held in private collections across the U.S. and internationally.

ANNE SMITH STEPHAN at Vivid Art Gallery - Layers of Being: Mapping the Lived Experience

Anne Smith Stephan, Beyond Earth and Sky, 48" x 60" oil and wax on canvas

The paintings of featured artist Anne Smith Stephan will be on view at Vivid Art Gallery in Winnetka, beginning with an opening reception on Friday, June 6, from 5–7 pm.

In this latest collection, Stephan continues to work in abstraction as a way to explore memory, emotion, and the layers of personal history. Her paintings are wistful and expressive. Soft washes of color meet bold, textured brushwork, creating surfaces that invite close inspection. Each painting unfolds gradually, offering glimpses of hidden stories and quiet emotions lying just beneath the surface.

“Art is such a personal creative endeavor… you paint what you see, experience, and know. I take these realities and create another world,” —Stephan.

The paintings in this exhibition reflect Anne Smith Stephan’s evolution through emotional abstraction. Bold and full of feeling, they speak to the complexity of everyday life. Mysterious yet familiar, they invite us to look beyond the surface and discover what lies beneath.

The opening reception for Anne Smith Stephan at Vivid Art Gallery will take place on Friday, June 6, from 5–7 pm. Vivid Art Gallery is located at 895 Green Bay Road in Winnetka. The exhibition will continue through the end of the month. This event is free and open to the public.

Anne Smith Stephan, Rise and Fall, 16" x 20" oil on canvas

EXPO CHICAGO 2025 Returns to Navy Pier, April 24–27

The highly anticipated EXPO CHICAGO 2025 is set to return to Navy Pier from April 24–27, marking its twelfth edition as one of the premier international art fairs. This year, the fair will feature an impressive lineup of world-class galleries, showcasing a diverse and dynamic selection of contemporary and modern art. EXPO CHICAGO continues to serve as a global hub for artistic innovation and cultural exchange.

In addition to its expansive gallery presentations, EXPO CHICAGO 2025 will offer an array of curated programming and special sections, each designed to highlight different aspects of the contemporary art world:

• EXPOSURE – The EXPOSURE section, installed on the main floor of the exposition, features solo and two-artist presentations represented by galleries ten years and younger. For the second year running, EXPOSURE 2025 exhibitors will be curated by Rosario Güiraldes, Curator of Visual Arts at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

• PROFILE – Presents solo booths and focused projects by established international galleries. Showcasing ambitious installations and tightly focused thematic exhibitions, this section features major projects by a single artist or collective, providing a curatorial platform for solo presentations.

• EDITIONS + BOOKS – Showcases a cross-section of established and emerging artists. From limited editions to publications, the exhibitors offer a diverse array of print media and object-based practices that span across photography, sculpture, monographs, and other multiples.

• SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS – The Special Exhibitions section features curatorial projects by select regional, national, and international non-profit institutions, museums, and organizations. Complementing the surrounding elements of the fair, this program illustrates and preserves the important relationship between contemporary and modern art and non-profit organizations.

Beyond the exhibitions, attendees can look forward to a extensive lineup of talks, panels, and site-specific installations, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for collectors, curators, artists, and art enthusiasts alike. The event offers a rare opportunity to engage with the latest trends in contemporary and modern art while networking with some of the most influential voices in the industry.

For exhibitor details, programming schedules, and ticketing information, visit expochicago.com.

Don’t miss this important annual event, where the world’s preeminent galleries, visionary artists, and esteemed collectors converge to celebrate the pinnacle of contemporary and modern art. Whether you're a seasoned collector, an impassioned artist, or a devoted admirer of fine art, EXPO CHICAGO 2025 promises an inspiring, immersive, and unforgettable experience that will deepen your appreciation for the global art landscape.

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LIGHTNESS AND BEING - SoNa Chicago Contemporary Art Gallery

Pinar Aral, Being Sixteen, unglazed ceramic, 2023

Many fine artists create work as a means of processing personal trauma, transforming their practice into a form of therapy. These works often develop into a powerful visual language, inviting audiences to interpret and connect. However, the traumas we experience are rarely ours alone—there is always someone in the audience who resonates deeply and finds a shared understanding.

This past weekend I attended an artist talk at the SoNa Chicago Contemporary Art Gallery. The event coincided with a group exhibition titled Lightness and Being—currently on view in the gallery. The show features more than thirty Chicago artists, showcasing unique and thought-provoking works that explore the concept of Lightness and Being. The exhibition responds to the need for inner serenity in a world that often feels uncertain and chaotic. The artists generally present an optimistic perspective, celebrating the wonder of life and the interconnectedness of humanity. The array of work reflects the beauty of existence while also exploring past wounds and the ongoing journey of resolving inner conflict.

Glen Gauthier, Test for Echo, mixed media collage

These ideas were brought to life during the artist talk, where Glen Gauthier shared insights into his work, detailing his creative process and inspirations. His piece, Test for Echo, is a unique blend of graphic design elements—photography, maps, letterforms, and color strips—that evoke the wonders of childhood: travel, escape, and a yearning for something more. In his artist statement, Gauthier reflects, “Through this work, I engage in a conversation with myself—across time, as a boy, a man, and the future version of myself. It doesn’t all make perfect sense yet, but clarity is slowly emerging.” Gauthier’s deeply personal and biographical composition is just one of the many authentic gems in this exhibition.

 
SoNa Chicago Contemporary Art is located at 1527 N. Ashland Avenue, in Chicago (60622) A closing reception for Lightness and Being, is scheduled for January 11, 2025, from 2-4pm. Learn more a https://sonachicagoart.com/

Julian Sarria, An Imaginary Man #3, ink on paper, 2024

 

The Lightness and Being exhibition feature more than thirty artists, presenting a wide range of media—paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, collages, ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, and textiles. The exhibiting artists are, Pinar Aral, Sharon Bladholm, Monica J. Brown, reisling dong, Alan Emerson Hicks, Robert  Fields, Mirentxu Ganzarain, Glen Gauthier, Markus Giolas, Fletcher Hayes, Anne Hughes, Ethan Hutchinson, Natalie Jackson, Damien James, Kathleen King, Pauline Kochanski, Loralyn Kumlin, Kim Laurel, Beatriz Ledesma, Antwane Lee, Michael Miller, Rosalina Perez, Corinne Peterson, Diane Ponder, Renee Robbins, Tom Robinson, Julian Sarria, Nicholas Sistler, Paul Gerard Somers, Eve Sopala, Gerardo Villarreal, Kathy Weaver, Glenn Wexler.

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SoNa CHICAGO
SoNa Chicago Art Gallery highlights contemporary artists from Chicago. The gallery features art in a variety of media including paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, collages, ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, and textiles. The artwork carried by SoNa Chicago reflects the creativity and abundant energy of the human spirit. We value diversity and the perspectives of people with different backgrounds and experiences. Although we will put a spotlight on Chicago artists, we want the dialogue between artists in the gallery to be global. We view our space as a venue for conversation, community, and a celebration of the arts.
 
The name SoNa Chicago represents “South of North Avenue” (SoNa) in Chicago. The gallery is located at 1527 N. Ashland Avenue, which is just South of North Avenue and a few blocks east of the iconic intersection of Damen, Milwaukee, and North Avenue. We are pleased to be part of the vibrant arts and creative community of Wicker Park, Bucktown, and West Town. We look forward to collaborating with our neighbors and with artists and galleries from across the city.
 
GLEN GAUTHIER 
Glen Gauthier is a mixed media collage artist who recently moved to Chicago from Dallas where he had a studio and also worked as a Creative Director. His artworks are montages of precise clippings from his collection of old books, brochures, images, and documents incorporated on canvas with acrylic paint. He has exhibited in cities across the United States. For the artist statement about his work in the show he wrote, “My medium is collage, utilizing printed ephemera to serve as a kind of time machine…. These materials with a history have fascinated me since childhood. I’m the youngest of five siblings who grew up in a home with overwhelmed parents in south Louisiana… Through this work, I’m having a conversation with myself through time as a boy, a man, and the future version of myself. It doesn’t all make perfect sense yet, but clarity is slowly setting in.”