It’s always daunting to come up with the top fifty artists’ artists in Chicago, a city flush with creatives and makers dedicated not only to their craft, but to the sustainability and strength of the art community as a whole. Thus it should come as no surprise that so many artists on this year’s list are also teachers and educators, or devotees to social practice, or curating or activism. At a time when folks around the world are calling on art institutions to do better, to practice radical inclusivity, to listen hard and educate themselves, to center the voices and experiences of those too often marginalized by race, gender, age, sexuality or ability, this list is a testament to the multiplicity of people making art in our city. There is no singular narrative of Chicago art, nor should there be. (Kerry Cardoza)
Art 50 was written by Kerry Cardoza with Amanda Dee, Ciera McKissick, Zakkiyyah Najeebah, Amanda Roach, Alisa Swindell and Holly Warren.
All photos by Nathan Keay with photo assistance from Joe Crawford.
Shot on location at the Columbia College Chicago Student Center. Sincere thanks to Meg Duguid and Kari Sommers.
The Hall of Fame
These folks are so well-established and foundational to the art world of Chicago that they are always near the top of the list.
Chris Ware
Related Stories
Breakout Artists 2020: Chicago’s Next Generation of Image Makers This year’s image makers offer a snapshot of what makes our art community great.
Art 50 2018: Chicago’s Artists' Artists Chicago has long been a destination for artists seeking to hone their practice and take their work to greater heights. Hence, it’s no coincidence that this art season opens with a retrospective of the original Hairy Who at the Art Institute of Chicago, while the Smart Museum’s major exhibition celebrates a broader spectrum of contemporaneous South Side artists—AfriCOBRA, the Association…
Breakout Artists 2019: Chicago’s Next Generation of Image Makers We present a few of the myriad artists who represent the unbounded energy of art-making in Chicago.
Breakout Artists 2018: Chicago's Next Generation of Image Makers Newcity presents its 2018 Breakout Artists, a sample of the myriad Chicago makers who deserve our attention and admiration. Whether it's beautiful protest posters wheat-pasted in dive bar bathrooms or gorgeous fabrics woven from pictures and memories, we have artists to thank for the images that move us to feel, to think, and to act.
how do I purchase this months’ issue?
You can purchase this month’s issue at https://newcityshop.com/products/september-2020-issue-art-50-fall-arts
Thank you!