THE OTHER ART FAIR RETURNS TO CHICAGO WITH BOLD VOICES AT THE FORE
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
April 9–12, the independent fair spotlights emerging artists — and makes space for those too often left out
The Other Art Fair Chicago arrives April 9–12 with its signature blend of accessibility, interactivity, and discovery — and this edition leans into both nostalgia and urgency. Anchored by the theme Nostalgia Core, the fair transforms Saatchi Art's independent platform into an immersive playground where visitors don't just view art — they touch, play, and participate.
Central to the fair's equity mission is its New Futures program, which awards free exhibition space to emerging and underrepresented artists. This year's recipient, Anwar Mahdi — born of Filipino and Arab heritage and raised in Chicago's suburbs — commands attention with intricate watercolor and color pencil "scrolls" exploring queer utopias, mythology, and reclaimed power. Their work is visionary and visceral.
Muralist Kari Blak, presenting an interactive color-by-number mural in partnership with AMFM, adds another dimension of community and cultural memory. Opening Night features DJ Roxyo Sounds, a Mexican-Chicagoan rooted in Latin American alternative music, setting a tone that's anything but homogenous.
The fair opens Thursday, April 9, with an evening preview. Public hours run Friday through Sunday at Artifact Events.