This Saturday, June 7, events all over the city provide opportunities to see (and maybe score) artworks by some of Chicago’s best-loved, rapidly ascending and generous contemporary artists.
Sofia Leiby has organized the second iteration of SCRAP HEAP in which she culls “scraps,” sketches and small artworks by artists that are for sale for $20 or less. The full amount of proceeds go directly to each artist, making this an experimental marketplace that invites appreciation and consideration of the fragments and preliminary gestures found in artists’ studios. Artists include Lauren Anderson, Leslie Baum, Edmund Chia, Ryan Travis Christian, Chelsea Culp+Ben Foch, Dan Devening, Ron Ewert, Andrew Falkowski, Aron Gent, Magalie Guerin, Steven Husby, Josh Ippel, Emre Kocagil, Chad Kouri, Sofia Leiby, Sarah Anne Lobb, Aya Nakamura, Heidi Norton, Kayla Parker, Josh Reames, Tyson Reeder, Noah Rorem, Talia Shulze, Deb Sokolow, Cody Tumblin, Molly Welsh and more. SCRAP HEAP II is hosted by Tusk, 3205 West Armitage, Saturday June 7, from 11am–5 pm.
On Saturday evening, “Starwalker,” Threewalls’ annual fundraising gala, will be held at the Mana Contemporary building. Differently priced tickets (starting at $25) admit revelers at 7pm or 9pm. A Threewalls auction that has been online since May 23 goes live tomorrow evening with more than a hundred works by a fascinating cross section of mostly Chicago-based artists. As the online portion of the auction wrapped up today, bids on works ranged from $30 to $1,750. The gala is one of the best loved parties in Chicago’s art scene, with music, food, drinks, and an environment designed by Lise Haller Baggeson. Head over to their website for more information or to buy tickets.
The South Side Community Art Center’s 49th Annual Art Auction is also tomorrow night with its own list of illustrious artists who have donated works to be bid on in a live auction from 7pm to 9pm. Among the more than sixty artists who have donated works are Debra Hand, Faheem Majeed, Turtel Onli, Shahar C. Weaver and the late Romare Bearden. The event will be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Hermann Hall, 3241 South Federal, from 5pm-9 pm. Tickets for the fundraiser are $65. To preview the list of participating artists or to purchase tickets, visit the SSCAC website. (Matt Morris)