The Best Art In Chicago’s Wicker Park

The Flatiron Arts Building is located in the heart of Wicker Park, and this three-story building is home to dozens of studios for all types of art. Visual artists, sculptors, tattoo artists, and filmmakers share the space at Flatiron, and on the first Friday of every month, the Flatiron Arts Building opens to the public. Guests can explore the expansive building and view art showings, screenings, and unique performances.

Heaven Gallery on Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park is a non-profit art gallery focused on supporting the work of emerging local artists. Heaven Gallery hosts various exhibitions, talks with artists, and film programs throughout the year. Work from artists like Maire Kennedy, Cat Chow, Heidi Van Warren, Rob Lomblad, and others are shown at Heaven Gallery. Upcoming exhibitions include This is the Place from artists Jessica Harvey and Jenny Buffington, which focuses on environmental landscapes through the use of sculptures and photography.

Galerie Fledermaus is a particular kind of art gallery that specializes in art from Europe‘s symbolism era. Symbolist art originated in the late 19th century and centers on art created from original thoughts and ideas rather than conventional portrayals of reality. Symbolist artworks from Austria, France, Germany, and Italy are featured at Galerie Fledermaus, and visitors can view seminal symbolist works from artists like Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, and Alphonse Mucha.

The David Leonardis Gallery in Wicker Park is an art collector’s paradise and has been home to some of the world’s best works of art since it opened in the 1990s. Famous pop art pieces as well as folk art, domestic, and international pieces are featured, and past exhibitions have included works from artists like Brenan Sharp and Giancarlo Montuschi. The David Leonardis Gallery is the perfect spot to look at and shop for your favorite contemporary art pieces.

One Strange Bird is the quintessential place for arts and crafts in the city, but this isn’t your typical arts and crafts center. One Strange Bird is run by artist Nicole Northway and is a winning combination of an art gallery and gift shop. This space also hosts a variety of art events for both children and adults. Guests can sign up for art classes on painting, drawing, and craft making activities. At One Strange Bird, visitors can spend the day gazing at art from Chicago artists and shopping for a range of handmade gifts like candles, pottery, jewelry, and cards.

The Jackson Junge Gallery, which is run by Chris Jackson and Laura Lee Junge, is primarily a space for Junge’s original work. Besides Junge’s work, the gallery also features pieces by Chicago artists. The gallery is focused on showcasing the work of local artists and selling art to local aficionados at reasonable prices. Next up at the Jackson Junge Gallery is the TRES exhibit, which will focus on Latin-American identity and is told through the perspective of three Latin-American artists.

As you walk through Wicker Park, don’t miss the Public Works Gallery on Damen Avenue. Public Works is a gallery filled with multifaceted exhibits that feature both experimental and contemporary works of art. Each exhibit on rotation focuses on a different range of art, from sculptures to installations to lifelike photography. Past exhibitions include New Observations, Only Real, and Computers Have A Lot To Answer For. A visit to the Public Works Gallery is sure to be a unique experience. By Alyssa Reyes