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PAST EXHIBITS
ABSURDITY – IN DADA WE TRUST!
ARTISTS RECEPTION AND OPENING SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH, 5-8PM
Summer 2023
Created in partnership with The Art Center Highland Park, Chicago Women’s Caucus for Art and Stola Contemporary Art.
Mission: Unifying Chicago and the surrounding cities through a common exhibition theme in order to bring arts organizations together, to build on our connections and community.
Theme: Dadaism was a movement with explicitly political overtones – a reaction to the senselessness of WWI. It essentially declared war against war, countering the absurdity of the establishment’s descent into chaos with its own kind of nonsense. Our version of Dadaism reignites the reaction to the political divisiveness, increased violence, and tensions within communities seen today through a similar lens of propaganda. Chicago is the perfect place to react and act.
Action: Each artist and/or institution will create either an exhibition or individual works of art (both for public outdoor spaces and indoor galleries) that address the definition of Absurdity. Galleries will act as separate entities with different iterations, curating their spaces how they see fit, from selected artists to call for entry exhibitions, as long as the focus revolves around the theme of absurdity.
It starts now but there is no end date to join our collaboration: https://bit.ly/3j1ZKmR
The collaboration continues up until Spring of 2024 (and maybe even beyond) when we hope to present our project! The goal is to forge connections to break divisions in our city, in our country and in our world that are not a onetime thing but last into the future!
A Festival of Absurdity in a World Gone Mad
OPENING THIS SATURDAY, MAY 6TH, 5-8PM! COME JOIN THE ARTISTS IN CELEBRATING OUR RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST!!!
CHERCHEZ LA FEMME
ANGELS & DEMONS
Please join us Saturday, February 11th, 5-8pm for the opening and artists reception! Everyone is encouraged to come dressed as your favorite angel or demon!!! Wine, are, costumes… who knows what else???
VISIONS OF HOPE
OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 5 – 8PM
Please join us for a glass of wine and a special performance by recording artist Irina Feoktistove! You don’t want to miss this beautiful show featuring local as well as international artists! This show runs through January 22nd.
IN THE HOUSE PART 2
Curated selection from artists Ken Hirte, Peter Mars, Walter Fydrych, Kathy Roman, Joey Africa, Mike Kranz, Brian Bonebrake, Karl Emanuel, and Kelly Mathews. OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 5-8PM!
HELEN SMITH-ROMER
September 3rd – October 16th. We are honored to present a lifetime retrospective of the great Helen Smith-Romer. All work will be available on a “Pay what You Can” basis, with all proceeds donated to charity! Opening reception Saturday, September 3rd, 5-8pm!
DEMOCRACY IN DANGER!
JULY 22ND – AUGUST 28TH
ARTISTS RECEPTION SATURDAY, JULY 23RD, 5-8PM
JOEY AFRICA
JUNE 10TH – JULY 17TH
ARTIST RECEPTION & BIRTHDAY BASH JUNE 11TH 5-8PM!!!
RAHMON OLUGUNNA
April 29th – June 5th
ARTISTS RECEPTION SATURDAY, MAY 7TH, 5-8PM
Rahmon Olugunna was born in Osogbo in 1975, a Township in Yorubaland in Nigeria, West Africa. Osogbo is the home of traditional arts and culture in Nigeria. It is known for natural indigo color and the place where modern contemporary Art began in Nigeris. Rahmon started his career in 1996 under the tutelage of late Rufus Ogundele, a renowned Osogbo Artist. Rahmon’s work represents Yoruban mythology as well as modern Nigerian life using figurative and abstract ideas and vibrant colors. Olugunna paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States and Europe. Rahmon artwork has received many awards including at the Chicago Gold Coast Art Fair in 2019 and Best in Show at the Ann Abor Michigan Art Festival. Olugunna strives to represent happy and healthy feelings through his paintings.
CAREN HELENE RUDMAN
DAYS OF QUARANTINE
March 18th – April 24
Artists Reception Saturday, April 2nd 5 – 8PM
“In March of 2020, I entered my studio as the official quarantine began, declaring my intention to create and post a new piece of art every day during the shutdown. Creating 425 consecutive pieces, the series creates a visual journal of this unique time, including how the pandemic affected our lives, both personally and collectively, expressing the fears and hopes of living through a global pandemic.”
Caren Helene Rudman
CHICAGO WOMEN’S CAUCUS FOR ART PRESENTS “THE BEST OF WOMEN”
JANUARY 27TH – MARCH 13TH
ARTISTS RECEPTION FEBRUARY 17TH 6-9PM
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
DECEMBER 17TH – JANUARY 24TH
ARTISTS RECEPTION SATURDAY DECEMBER 18TH 5-8PM!
CELEBRATE LGBTQ!
NOVEMBER 7TH – DECEMBER 12TH
Artists Reception November 13th 5-8pm with Special performance by the Chicago Gay Men’s Choir!!!
INTERSECTIONS – 3 GENERATIONS
SEPTEMBER 17TH – OCTOBER 31ST
Intersections: 3 Generations showcases the work made by a family of artists. Each member of the Arceo family brings a unique voice to the collective while also sharing graphic and thematic interests. This exhibition juxtaposes Jose Armando Arceo’s street art aesthetic with Atlan Arceo-Witzl’s symbol-based visuals and Rene Arceo’s magically organic hand. They employ a diverse array of media to explore their shared Mexican heritage, typography, design, community, their surrounding environment, the self, and contemporary life. They all find grounding in the creative act as they carry on this tradition. They learn from the intersections, continuing to make work that is informed and emphatically their own.
All three artists have experience with relief printmaking as well as large scale murals. Both mediums recall the influential history of artists in post-revolutionary Mexico around the turn of the 20th century. These disciplines engaged form, line, and language to tell stories, convey political ideas, and investigate the barriers between representational and abstract art. The work of the Arceo family will occasionally harken back to this history. Sometimes subtly and at other times overtly. Their work describes their life in the United States in manifold ways just like the Mexican greats and the people of Mesoamerica did in their society because that is what artists are want to do.
SOS PLANET EARTH
July 30 – September 12th
BRIAN BONEBRAKE
June 17th – July 25th
Fun, whimsical and brilliantly executed! Please join us for our Artist Reception Saturday, July 10th 5-8PM! To see all the work, please click on the “current exhibit” tab.
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL?
April 29th – June 13th
ARTISTS RECEPTION MAY 22ND 5-8PM!!!
MARCH 4TH – APRIL 18TH
MIKE KRANZ
DECEMBER 31ST – FEBRUARY 7TH
REST IN POWER – THE LIFE, LEGACY & MISSION OF RUTH BADER GINSBURG
Artists Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Stola Contemporary Art “Rest in Power! The Life, Legacy and Mission of RBG” CHICAGO, IL – December 31, 2020
In an already challenging time, losing Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a cultural icon, was a big blow in a difficult year. Artists around the United States are raising their visual voices to honor the “Notorious RBG”. This exhibition, Rest in Power! The Life, Legacy and Mission of RBG , documents this artistic movement in a collection of art featuring the work of 40 artists. It is an eye-catching and impactful testament of the lasting legacy of this national treasure. Enter the gallery to view an homage to an icon of women’s rights and social justice, who left behind a legacy of inspiration and greatness. The art is evidence that RBG inspired millions of people around the world through her hard work, perseverance, and courage in the face of adversity. Stola Contemporary, with generous support by the Chicago Chapter for Women’s Caucus for Art, created an exhibition that asked for work in all mediums that celebrate this amazing woman and to reflect on woman’s rights, equality, justice, inclusion, and friendships that see no political lines. Without the life of RBG, where would we be today? In this turbulent time of political changes, global conflicts, social, racial, gender and economic inequality, Stola Contemporary asked artists to address the influence RBG had on the individual artists and how that in turn was manifested into art. How do we act in collaboration or alone, across generational differences, races, identities and cultures to build back our future, locally and globally keeping Ginsburg’s teachings in mind? This exhibition features 74 works from 40 artists across the United States. The works, both curated and juried through a national call, were chosen from a broad spectrum of artists with diversity in culture, ethnicity and age, on a wide and thought-provoking spectrum of themes about Ginsburg. Artists use media including painting, sculpture, drawing, mixed media, digital art, fiber art, and assemblage. While there is a great amount of diversity in the artistic styles, the artists are united in an outpouring of admiration for Ruth Bader Ginsburg and highlighting the impact she made on us all.
“We employ artwork to fight for human rights and social justice. We created this collection because the subject matter is timely, necessary and needed to give hope and honor the legacy of such an important woman.” says Kelly Mathews, Curator for Stola Contemporary.
PLEASE CLICK ON OUR “CURRENT EXHIBIT” TAB TO SEE ALL OF THE ARTWORK IN THIS WONDERFUL SHOW!
November 19th – December 27th – Joey Africa! You definitely don’t want to miss this!!! Come meet the artist on November 21st 5-9pm. To keep everyone safe, we are requesting that you call to book a time slot. Please call Kelly @ (708)334-7062 or book a time directly on our Facebook page!
OCTOBER 9TH – NOVEMBER 15TH
“IMAGINE… Peace, Love & Understanding”
This show opens on what would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday. This show is to celebrate his vision and the best of human nature. During this extremely contentious election season please come join us in our happy place and IMAGINE… Peace, Love & Understanding!
Artists receptions October 9th 5 – 9pm and October 10th 2 – 5pm. Masks and Social Distancing required. Only 10 people at a time allowed in the Gallery, so please do your socializing outdoors or in our tent!
AUGUST 20 – OCTOBER 4
INTERNATIONAL ICONIC POP ARTIST PETER MARS
CHICAGO PHOTOGRAPER KAT VAN HORN
Artist Reception September 12th 5pm – 9pm
JULY 16 – AUG 16
ALL IN THE SAME BOAT – OR ARE WE?
“All in the Same Boat – or are we? Artists respond to the first 6 months of 2020”
A diverse group of over 50 Chicago area artists together in response to the pandemic isolation, climate change, and the peaceful and violent protests engendered by the loss of lives triggered by police brutality against African Americans
The two opening receptions are: Friday, July 31, from 6-9PM and Saturday, August 1st, from 2-5PM. All who attend must practice social distancing and wear masks, preferably decorative. Gloves are also recommended. Prizes will be given for the 3 best masks on both days.
Curated by Anne Farley Gaines.
BEING BIPOLAR IN A POLARIZED WORLD
NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH AMAZON!!!
Preview complete catalog on Issuu!
GUNS & MONEY
17 Artists reaction to America’s Gun Culture
IN THE HOUSE
“In the House” is a celebration of the Fabulous group of artists that originally came together to help us open Stola Contemporary Art. Included artists are:
- Peter Mars
- Mike Kranz
- Ken Hirte
- Brian Bonebrake
- Karl Emanuel
- Kelly Mathews
- Kathy Roman
Stola Contemporary Art 