Chicago Cultural Alliance

Disruptors Exhibition - Celebrating 50 Years of Chicago Women in Architecture
2024-09-09 - 2025-01-05 | Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
This exhibition celebrates the legacy of Chicago women who have shaped architecture and design industries in the Windy City and beyond through the lens of the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Women in Architecture (CWA) professional group.
DISRUPTERS showcases the trailblazing founders of CWA, who 50 years ago broke through the barriers of a male-dominated industry. These pioneers, lacking their own space, sat on the floor of an office to conceive of an organization that would support and uplift women in architecture. The exhibition traces CWA’s journey over the past five decades, celebrating the progress the group has made and its lasting impact on the field while taking a look at the splinter groups that emerged from CWA, some more disruptive than others.
The exhibit was developed in partnership with CWA, Wink Design, Ross Barney Architects, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

FREE Guided Tours at the National Hellenic Museum
2024-09-14 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-21 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-28 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-05 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-12 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-19 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-26 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-11-02 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) and 4 more dates | National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL, 60661, United States
Join us for our FREE, limited-time offer guided tours every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. These one-hour tours offer a comprehensive journey through the museum’s rich exhibitions and artifacts.

Chicago Women in Architecture 50th Anniversary Exhibition Opening Gala
2024-09-19 18:30 - 21:00 | Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Please join Chicago Women in Architecture and the Chicago Architecture Center to celebrate CWA’s 50th anniversary and opening of an exhibit that showcases the incredible journey of women in Architecture in the past 50 years.
Chicago Women in Architecture is a non-profit organization formed in 1974 with the intent of creating a support network for women facing challenges in the field of Architecture. Join our night of celebration as we mark the 50th Anniversary of CWA with the grand opening of a commemorative exhibition. The evening will be filled with excitement as we honor this year’s award winners and showcase the incredible journey of women in Architecture over the past 50 years. The exhibition will highlight the achievements and contributions of women in the field, as well as celebrate the work of women in architecture today. Don’t miss this special event that will bring together industry professionals, supporters and advocates for women in architecture as we celebrate the past, present and future. The awards ceremony will occur between 5:30-6:30 p.m., with limited seating. Purchase of your reception ticket will include a ticket to the awards, be sure to indicate your attendance while seats are available. Doors open at 5 p.m. This event is cocktail attire.

3rd Fridays Free Admission Museum Night
2024-09-20 17:00 - 20:00, 2024-10-18 17:00 - 20:00, 2024-11-15 17:00 - 20:00 | Heritage Museum of Asian Art, 3500 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
Free Admission Museum Nights take place every third Friday of each month from 5 pm to 8 pm! The tour will start at 6 PM on time. All tours depart from the reception desk, and please be sure to arrive on time. The event offers wine and appetizers.
This Friday at 7-7:40 PM, our Resident Artist 2024 – Irene Hsiao will perform at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art as part of the project If The Sky Could Dream.
About the Tour –
Learn about Asian Art in the Heritage Museum of Asian Art with a guided hour-long tour around the gallery. Museum-trained interns and volunteers will give a talk on selected artworks. Each word is packed with fascinating insights, information, and stories. During this participatory experience, you’ll connect with works from across the collection and get a close look at highlighting artworks. Visitors of all ages are welcome.
Please note tours may be canceled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
About the project –
IF THE SKY COULD DREAM focuses on the Chinese dragon as a powerful being that fosters harmony. This creature is emblematic of China as well as a mythological being for many Asian and Western cultures and thus evokes a sense of mysticism, and intrigue in many communities. Representing the Chinese Dragon as a water deity, the installation series will feature images and projections of the weather and local bodies of water in Chicago.
If The Sky Could Dream is supported, in part, by a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant
About Irene Hsiao
Irene Hsiao creates performances in conversation with visual art in museums, galleries, and public spaces, a practice that includes site-specific interaction with visual artworks and experimental engagement with artists, institutions, and the public. Find out more through our website.
Accessibility
The Heritage Museum of Asian Art’s Entrance is on West 35th Street. Take the elevator to the third floor and turn right to the Museum Reception Desk. Accessible and standard toilets are located on the same floor. Free parking space is available next to the museum via West 35th Street.
If you have any programming questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with info@heritageasianart.org or 312-842-8884.

Celebrating 75 years of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization - Chicago!
2024-09-21 13:00 - 2024-10-06 16:00 | 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60612, 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Join us in commemorating 75 incredible years of Plast Ukrainian Scouting in Chicago!
This is a celebration of heritage, adventure, and community that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a dedicated Plast member or just intrigued by our history, everyone is welcome to join.
Immerse yourself in the rich legacy of the past 75 years of Plast in Chicago and its beginnings.
The museum exhibition hall will be filled with an array of photos, emblems, and cherished Plast memories.
Come and be a part of the enduring legacy!
Exhibit will be on display from September 21—October 6, 2024.

Journey to Czechia Experience
2024-09-26 16:00 - 20:00 | OPEN Center for the Arts, 2214 S. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
OPEN Center for the Arts is honored to present the “Journey to Czechia Experience,” an event in collaboration with the Czechia Consulate, Západočeská Univerzita v Plzni, and T. G. Masaryk Czech School. This unique event is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of the rich cultural tapestry that binds us all together.
On Thursday, September 26th, from 4 PM to 8 PM, our Center at 2214 S. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL, will transform into a vibrant space where Czech art and culture come alive. This evening promises a captivating journey through a Czech-inspired art exhibition, performances, literature, and culinary delights.
Your presence at this event is more than just attendance—it’s a gesture of support for the arts, community, and a future where cultural exchange flourishes. With a suggested donation of $40, you’ll be helping us continue our essential work in arts and cultural programming at OPEN.

ReCovered: Lawndale's Urban Tree Canopy
2024-10-04 - 2024-11-02 | Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, 16th and Spaulding, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
A FREE pop-up exhibition in Lawndale exploring the role of trees in our city. Opens October 4 and runs through the fall.
In this pop-up exhibition located in Lawndale, visitors will discover the magical role that trees play in our city through a reimagining of an exhibition that was on display at the CAC in 2023. ReCovered explores the impact of trees—-from quality of life to quality of air—-on the urban dweller’s experience. Guests will learn about tree planting initiatives throughout Chicago, and specifically on improving tree coverage in the Lawndale community, as well as trees native to the local area. The ReCovered exhibition is co-curated by Ryan Gann.

Divine Gardens
2024-10-11 19:00 - 2024-11-02 17:00 | 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60612, 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Divine Gardens – an art exhibit by two artists from Ukraine – Svitlana Moiseieva and Volodymyr Podlevsky.

Exhibit opening Friday, October 11, 2024, 7:00 pm at the Ukrainian National Museum
The exhibit is open October 11 – November 2, 2024.

Divine Gardens
2024-10-11 19:00 - 2024-11-03 17:00 | 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60612, 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Join us for the Opening of DIVINE GARDENS, an evocative art exhibit featuring the captivating works of Volodymyr Podlevsky and Svitlana Moiseieva from Kyiv, Ukraine.
The paintings of Podlevsky and Moiseieva transport viewers into a realm where the material and spiritual coexist harmoniously. Their artwork depicts divine gardens filled with vibrant water, lush plants, towering trees, and lively animals. Within this serene landscape, angels and archangels serve as guardians, fostering an atmosphere of protection and peace.
At the exhibit’s heart is the profound imagery of a woman-mother, giving birth to angelic children who play joyfully among God’s creatures in a blooming paradise. This narrative invites reflection on the interconnectedness of life, love, and the divine.

2024-10-24 18:30 - 20:00 | South Asia Institute 1925 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60616
Join Art Design Chicago exhibiting artists Vida Sačić, Melissa Leandro, Indira Freitas Johnson, and Carlos Barberena for an in-depth conversation about their journeys of immigration and migration, and ways in which those life experiences have shaped their work. In this panel moderated by Hyde Park Art Center ‘s Mariela Acuña, the artists discuss how Chicago and its culture have affected them and their art practices.
Designed to trace a connective thread through several Art Design Chicago projects, Chicago Narratives: Finding a Creative Home, features artists included in four Art Design Chicago exhibitions, each of which touches on the ways that artists with origins in other places have contributed to Chicago’s creative ecosystem.
Following the discussion, attendees are invited to engage with the artists via a Q&A session and light refreshments.
Vida Sačić is a multidisciplinary Croatia-born, Chicago-based artist. Her work in print media explores issues of gender, immigration, and labor, with an emphasis on research, process, and community. Her work will be shown in Making an Impression: Immigrant Printing in Chicago at the Newberry Library starting December 12, 2024.
Melissa Leandro is a first-generation US Latinx artist of Costa Rican heritage whose practice lies between the media of drawing, painting, and textiles. Her work is currently on view in Agency: Craft in Chicago from the 1970s–80s and Beyond at The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art.
Indira Freitas Johnson identifies as a sculptor, cultural worker, peace activist and educator from Mumbai, India. The combination of art and activism has been a major thread of influence that is interwoven into her art and life. Her work is currently on view at Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art’s Agency: Craft in Chicago from the 1970s–80s and Beyond and South Asia Institute’s What is Seen and Unseen: Mapping South Asian American Art in Chicago exhibition.
Carlos Barberena is a Nicaraguan born, Chicago-based contemporary printmaker known for his relief prints and the use of images from pop culture, as well as from political and cultural tragedies. His work will be shown at Intuit: the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago as Catalyst: Immigrant Communities Nourish Self-Taught Artists beginning in April 2025.
Mariela Acuña is an art administrator and curator from San José, Costa Rica currently based in Chicago. As Exhibitions and Residency Manager at Hyde Park Art Center, her primary role is to steward the Jackman Goldwasser Residency, which invites local, national, and international artists and curators to hone their practice, develop research, and expand their networks in the context of a community-focused contemporary art center.
Please RSVP.

Art for Health
2024-10-25 18:00 - 22:00 | Venue West, 221 N Paulina, Chicago, 60612
Looking for a fun night out in Chicago while supporting a great cause? Community Empowerment is a Chicago-based global health nonprofit organization that provides essential medical and surgical services to our partner communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Join us for a celebratory fundraising event that brings together art, music, food, and community! See art works and installations from Marek Hosek, Sebastian Kowalski, Hague Williams, All Star Press, John Bannon, and Paul Lukes. Throughout the night, enjoy live screen printing, new photo works, functional art, raffle prizes and more! Learn about our accomplishments and the sustainable impact of our work.
Proceeds from the Art for Health Benefit directly support medical and surgical services for underserved communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Your support and generosity fuels our mission, ensuring we can continue to connect and strengthen communities.

Exhibition Closing Reception | Power Frauen: German Women Who Dared to Dream
2024-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Please join us on Friday, October 25 from 7-9 PM for an evening with the curator and artists at the closing reception of our exhibition “Power Frauen: German Women Who Dared to Dream.”
This exhibition features profiles on German, Austrian, and German American women who left their mark on the world. Paired with original artwork created by local women artists, this exhibit tells the stories of these amazing “Power Frauen.”
“Power Frauen: German Women Who Dared to Dream” will be on display from August 9 – September 20 in the DANK Treffpunkt. Thank you to the artists: Vero Rose Smith, Victoria Pater, Elaine Luther, Sara Roberts, Sunny Gandy, Danielle Anson, Cam Best, Erin McNamara, Deniana Clemente, Marvi Sayon, Jill Liebhaber, Carolyn Boudreau, Bethany Cordero, Adeline Sides, B. Quinn, and Karina Wang.

Trick-or-Treating at Museum of Illusions Chicago
2024-10-28 10:00 - 2024-10-31 21:00 | Museum of Illusions Chicago, 25 E Washington St, Chicago, IL, 60602
Experience the mystery of illusions this Halloween at the Museum of Illusions Chicago. While MOI is known for its tricks, it also wants to treat guests. Kids can get a head start on trick-or-treating at the Museum during regular operating hours, and don’t forget the tricks! Fan-favorite illusions like Head on a Plate, Ames Room, the Vortex Tunnel, and more will have guests wondering what’s real and what’s not. It’s the perfect destination for families looking to treat their kids to some tricks that aren’t too scary during this fright-filled season.

Framed Views (Exhibition)
2024-11-23 - 2025-06-01 | Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
This year, for the first time, CAC hosted a Photo Competition during Open House Chicago, the weekend of October 19-20. Festival-goers of all skill levels were invited to take photos while exploring the city’s architectural sites and submit them in one of four categories: Interior, Exterior, Architectural Detail, and Black & White.
After receiving over 1,300 submissions, the photos were reviewed by our curatorial team, who selected up to twelve finalists for each category. A panel of judges including professional photographers and architecture experts will choose winners from each category to be announced following the opening of the exhibition. Finalists and winners will be on display at The Center, offering a unique look at the sites and spaces explored during the Open House Chicago weekend.
This exhibition is a chance to celebrate the diverse architecture of Chicago through the eyes of the community. Visit to see how different photographers captured the beauty and details of our city.

Photo by Jennifer Shanahan

Dark Night of the Soul by Daniel Hryhorczuk
2024-11-29 19:00 - 21:00 | 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60612, 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Author Daniel Hryhorczuk will present his new novel, The “Dark Night of the Soul,” about a Ukrainian writer who embarks on a spiritual journey to reconcile with his Russian daughter and seek redemption amid the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.The evening presents a wonderful opportunity to meet the Chicago author, Daniel Hryhorczuk, purchase a signed copy of his book, and socialize with fellow attendees.

Heritage in Bloom: The Art of Petrykivka
2024-12-06 19:00 - 2024-12-27 16:00 | 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60612, 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Kateryna Kryvolap is a Canadian artist, originally from Ukraine, whose passion for fine art was nurtured in an artistic family. Though her work spans various styles, she is known for both contemporary and traditional decorative painting, particularly Petrykivka—a Ukrainian folk art form recognized by UNESCO. This exhibition celebrates her dedication to elevating Petrykivka from its roots in traditional Ukrainian crafts to the canvas, bringing it into galleries as a fine art form.
Petrykivka painting, originating in the village of Petrykivka, embodies a unique blend of historical significance and artistic skill, dating back to the 17th century. Traditionally, it was used to adorn homes and household items with fantastical flora and fauna, often including symbolic motifs like the phoenix, representing harmony and happiness. These designs, rich in symbolic protection, are crafted with single, sweeping brushstrokes, creating a two-dimensional effect that invites viewers into a world of vibrant simplicity.
