Save the date! Join EarlyWork for our first member trip to Guadalajara and Mexico City, Mexico, January 31 to February 6, 2025.

First, the EarlyWork crew will venture to Guadalajara to explore a plethora of vibrant artist studios before journeying to Mexico City to explore the local gallery scene and partake in the festivities of the Zona Maco art fair. The trip will include studio visits, gallery and museum walkthroughs, intimate dinners, collection visits and more! Stay tuned for additional information.

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Join us at 6 pm for an exclusive EarlyWork champagne toast and meet and greet with artist Brendan Fernandes at 21c Museum Hotel. Following the toast, at 6:30, we'll transition to an intimate conversation between ART on THE MART Executive Director Cynthia Noble and Fernandes.

The two will discuss his immersive, site-specific installation, Build Up the House on view nightly at one of the world’s largest digital art platforms that transforms an architectural landmark into a permanent, larger-than-life canvas. At 7:45 pm we'll walk to the Mart for the 8:15 pm projection piece start time.

For his ART on THE MART commission, Fernandes imagines 'new' windows and doorways into THE MART, using the movements of animated human dancers to continuously 'reshape' the façade of the building. Colorful backdrops that reference foliage and African textiles honor the essential contributions of African diasporic peoples to American art forms, while emphasizing the natural elements of our man-made urban surroundings. Fernandes's newest work exhibits the artist's proven flair for subverting the conventions of dance performance, approaching the form with an architectural eye and an empathetic heart, imbuing his work with equal parts cultural responsiveness, critical theory, and aesthetic beauty.

Please note it's a 15 minute walk to the Mart from 21c.

Head to VSG Contemporary this Sunday from 11 am-2 pm for a champagne and bagel brunch in celebration of the Old Friends Ceramics Weekend pop up at VSG Contemporary.

Curated by Old Friends and featuring artists Zita Brizzi, Ava Carney, Seuil Chung, Mike Landini, William J. O'Brien, Delia Pelli-Walbert, Fawn Penn, Dara Schuman and Emily Schroeder Willis, the selection of works on view will represent both sculptural and functional practices, working across aesthetic disciplines to explore the material of ceramic.

Concurrent to the Ceramic Weekend, "Listen, Listen", a three room solo exhibition by Taylor Ann Valdez will be on view at VSG Contemporary. "Listen, Listen" explores the balance between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Can't make brunch on Sunday? Join Old Friends and VSG Contemporary for the opening on Friday, November 15 from 6-10 pm

In celebration of Jake Troyli's third solo exhibition at moniquemeloche, EarlyWork will visit the gallery for a sneak preview with the artist before the show opens to the public the next day. Following the exhibition preview, we'll head around the corner to Big Delicious Planet for a beautiful and intimate dinner with Jake!

About Jake Troyli
Jake Troyli’s work investigates the construction of otherness and the commodification of the Black/Brown body, confronting and exploring labor capitalism and sweat equity as a demonstration of value. He makes energetic paintings, often featuring a self-portrait or avatar of himself embedded in engaging scenes, with a markedly classicist approach. Utilizing techniques formalized during the High Renaissance, underpainting and toning are central to the conception of each work, beginning with a burnt sienna foundation to establish values. In a timely evolution of his practice, Troyli expands the functionality and influence of his figures, imbuing them with new agency and establishing absurd narratives to consider the timeless conversations surrounding the preconceived notions of identity and value structures. Through the presence of prop-like iconography and compositions reminiscent of community theater sets, Troyli positions his figures as performing commodities constantly on display. 

@jake_troyli

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Join EarlyWork and Steppenwolf for the Delta Blues: A Cultural Connection! On Thursday, November 7, The EarlyWork crew will head to the iconic Steppenwolf theater in Lincoln Park to see Leroy and Lucy and experience an evening of theater, music and art. At 6 pm we'll gather at the theater's Tap Bar for pre-show cocktails and an intimate conversation with artists and musicians about their work in connection to the themes of the play. When 7 pm rolls around we'll head to the Ensemble theater within Steppenwolf for the 7:30 pm production of Leroy and Lucy!

Enter promo code EARLY to purchase tickets to the play with an exclusive EarlyWork discount — https://cart.steppenwolf.org/19613/19632

About Leroy and Lucy:
Written by Ngozi Anyanwu, Leroy and Lucy is about two lost souls who meet at a crossroads, in the dead of night, deep in the Mississippi of it all. They laugh, they flirt, they make sweet music. Together, they conjure a familiar sound from long ago, one of wondrous deals and dangerous aspirations. In this sultry world premiere inspired by the myth of musician Robert Johnson, the Delta Blues fills the air, and every strum has the chance to change your life.

Join us for cocktails and bites at Maxwells Trading in West Town to raise funds for Re/Match’s 2025 artist grant cycle! Centered in artist advocacy, Re/Match (501c3) provides direct funding to Chicago visual artists to support the development and sustainability of their arts practice. In 2024, Re/Match distributed $50,000 in unrestricted funds to five Chicago artists, each artist receiving a $10,000 grant.

Guests will be able to bid on a few select art pieces as well as engage with a making station. Re/Match's first Artist Benefit will celebrate our 2024 awardees - Sofía Fernández Díaz, Cathy Hsiao, zakkiyyah najeebah dumas-o'neal, Alberto Ortega, and Maryam Taghavi, and raise funds for the second cohort of artists (2025 - 2026).

EarlyWork members can use discount code EARLYWORK for $25 off ticket price. Purchase tickets at

‍https://givebutter.com/ReMatchArtistBenefit?promo=EARLYWORK

Join EarlyWork at The Joffrey Ballet for renowned choreographer Cathy Marston's 'Atonement' in her re-imagining of Ian McEwan’s 2001 novel-turned Academy Award®-winning film production of Atonement.

The poignant story follows Briony Tallis, revealed in the book as its author and now portrayed in the ballet as a celebrated choreographer, as she grapples with the haunting echoes of her past through a breathtaking dance of redemption. Marston’s adaptation unfolds the tragic love story of Briony’s older sister, Cecilia, against the historical backdrop of 1935 England to explore the intricate layers of societal norms and the enduring impact of a single lie. Enveloped in Rossi’s evocative musical score, with dynamic choreography portraying the complexities of self-deception, the transformation of memory, and the weight of guilt, 'Atonement' shares an emotionally charged experience with a startling twist finale that will linger in the soul.

All complimentary EarlyWork tickets have been claimed. However, if you would like to attend the performance, tickets are available for purchase at https://cart.joffrey.org/18651/18660

Wrap up your CXW experience with EarlyWork and Good Weather! We’re chilling and spilling the art tea at Good Weather, where you’ll have a chance to see their current exhibition and also visit two new galleries with inaugural exhibitions in the same building: Grunts Rare Books and Letters to Nora.

Join EarlyWork, EXPO CHICAGO & Art21 for a Chicago Exhibition Weekend (CXW) collection tour hosted at the Gold Coast home of Jack and Sandy Guthman, two influential Chicago art collectors. You’ll get to explore their iconic art collection and take in the stunning works on view that range from contemporary masterpieces to timeless classics. Afterwards, make your way to the historic Murphy Auditorium  at the Richard H. Driehaus Museum, where the grandeur of the Gilded Age meets the vibrancy of modern art, for Embracing Chicago, the official CXW kickoff conversation.

Gold Coast | Address shared the day prior to the event.

Join us for the 2024 Chicago Exhibition Weekend Kickoff Dinner, hosted at UMMO for a night of great food, fun, and networking. Get ready to meet fellow art enthusiasts and kickoff an arts and culture filled weekend. Don't miss out on this exciting evening – mark your calendar now!

EarlyWork members can use discount code CXW24EW for $20 off ticket price. Purchase tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/1004706152147/?discount=CXW24EW

Join EarlyWork & GRAY for a cocktail party celebrating CXW and a preview of GRAY's newly expanded galleries. With its rich history and influential presence, GRAY continues to be a beacon of artistic excellence–come raise a glass as we toast to their continued investment in the Chicago art scene.

After the festivities, head to the official CXW kickoff dinner at UMMO in River North.

Join Povos, Tala and EarlyWork for a night of dancing to celebrate the start of CXW at Arbella. From 9 pm until 1 am, Blesstonio, Finding Ijeoma and Francine Almeda will curate the sonic backdrop of the evening with back to back DJ sets.

Join EarlyWork and ICI at Mariane Ibrahim for cocktails in celebration of Chicago Exhibition Weekend. Enjoy an evening of art, conversation, and beverages as we come together to honor the vibrant cultural scene of Chicago. Mingle with fellow art enthusiasts, collectors, and creatives in the elegant setting of Mariane Ibrahim Gallery.

FEATURING TAROT CARD PULLS FROM TAROT READER LAUREN OBERLIN

Join us for an intimate studio visit and conversation with Isabella Mellado! Mellado’s paintings are to the artist as sigils are to the witch, and are a visual exploration ofself actualization through relationships—coven, platonic, romantic, familial & self. Through painting, she underlines queer trauma and Catholic shame by making reference to religious symbolism found in renaissance and medieval art. By relating gargoyles, demons and angels as seen in Catholic art to the contemporary queer coded figure in their paintings, Mellado questions moralizing tales as seen in the European art canon. Mellado’s work centralizes queer narrative, womanhood and latinidad as she has lived it, framing it with symbolism taken from mythology, folklore, tarot, astrology and Puerto Rican pop culture. On the 19th Mellado will walk us through how all of the above informs her practice and we'll explore her latest large-scale triptych that marks a turning point in the evolution of her visual language. After we hear from Mellado, members will have the opportunity to have a tarot card pulled by Tarot reader Lauren Oberlin! (Photo: Isabella Mellado in her Chicago studio. Photographer: Dayson Roa. Courtesy of the artist.)

Join us at Patron in West Town for an exhibition preview and walkthrough of Chicago-based artist Alice Tippit's solo exhibition The Deep Element! Tippit deftly uses color, image, and language in a looping game of “yes, and...” continually twisting what we do, don’t, and think we know. The Deep Element embraces the gallery space itself, with a single mural element that flows along the east side of the gallery, a watery frieze set at floor level. Her signature intimately-scaled paintings, collaged works on paper, and wooden wall sculptures—a recent expansion of her practice—share this environment. Tippit’s works for the exhibition are steeped in thinking about the inadequacies of language when confronting our interior landscape.

Join EarlyWork for a Artist-led Walkthrough with Chicago Artists Coalition's HATCH residents Molly Blumberg & Vince Phan of their exhibition: Garden of Liminal Bodies. Followed by a studio visit with BOLT resident Alexis De Chaunac.

Join EarlyWork for a studio visit with Zakkiyyah Najeebah Dumas-O'Neal follwoed by an exhbition walkthrough of The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige at Hyde Park Art Center

Join EarlyWork for an Artist & Curator-led walkthrough with mimosas and musical stylings by BSA Gold (Barédu Ahmed) in Celebration of Lawrence Agyei : Drill, curated by Rikki Byrd.