August Artist News

published: Aug. 17, 2026

Alberto Aguilar: I just really want to tell you this one thing at the Chicago Cultural Center

On view now through August 23, Alberto Aguilar: I just really want to tell you this one thing, explores themes of communication, response, transmission, and translation across two distinct periods of Alberto’s career, 1997-2002 and 2020-2026. Prioritizing exchange with others, the exhibition includes work by Cecilia Beaven, Zespo, and many others.

 

Home Grown Vol. III at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art 

On view now through September 6, Home Grown Vol. III is an immersive exhibition exploring the deep entanglement between human and plant life, featuring Midwest artists working with natural pigments, dyes, plant reliefs, hand-pulled paper, and organic materials. Featuring Allen Moore, Jaclyn Mednicov and more, Home Grown centers artists who interact with the natural world in a variety of ways. 

 

LATITUDE Medley at Epiphany Center for the Arts  

On view now through September 20, featuring work by Krista Franklin and Diana Solís, LATITUDE Medley is “a net cast into the vast field of individuals that together make up LATITUDE Chicago’s diverse community.” Artists working in painting, photography, collage, analog or digital processes are all exhibited regardless of shared theme, but instead with a “shared belief that access and education around photographic “Fine Art” production should come without barriers.”  

 

Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón at the Museum of Contemporary Art

On view now through September 20, Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón is “a major exhibition that explores and expands the visual, political, and spiritual histories of dancehall and reggaetón through contemporary art— two dynamic genres that have transcended their grassroots origins to shape global culture.” The exhibition features work by Leasho Johnson, Edra Soto, and many others.

 

Cydney Lewis: Reflection at Gallery 400 

On view now through December 12, Cydney Lewis: Reflection uses “discarded and found materials from her environment to create collages and sculptural assemblages that address Black consumer culture in the South Side of Chicago. Between commutes or spending her downtime, Lewis uses a phone app to layer her hand-cut collages with digital drawings.”  

 

Tuesdays on the Terrace: AKENYA at the Museum of Contemporary Art 

On August 11, AKENYA performs in Tuesdays on the Terrace at the Museum of Contemporary Art. “AKENYA graces the terrace with her genre-defying music that fuses jazz, hip-hop, soul, and classical into a bold, virtuosic sound. From Grammy-nominated collaborations to acclaimed original work, she stands out as one of Chicago’s most dynamic and visionary artists.” 

 

Back Alley Jazz at 77th & King Dr. 

On August 15, Back Alley Jazz features a performance by the Ari Brown Trio. Inspired by the original jazz alley jams that took place in various locations on the South Side in the 1960s and 70s, the project creates a contemporary neighborhood “happening” that animates, builds on, and celebrates Chicago’s history.  

 

Art/Access Lab at Experimental Station and online

On August 16, Art/Access Lab features panelists Reveca Torres, Bri Noonan, and Tempestt Hazel, in conversation on the questions of “What does it mean to engage with archives when one’s community has been harmed or omitted from historical records? How do we center crip/disabled ways of collecting, creating, and preserving knowledge? And what is the importance of the artist’s role in all of this?” Each artist works in different ways to engage with, investigate, and create archives.  

 

Chamber Music America: A Night at Constellation at Constellation

On August 20, Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble performs in Chamber Music America: A Night at Constellation. Black Earth Ensemble’s “genre-defying music blends jazz, African diasporic traditions, and fearless improvisation.”  

 

Living Newspaper Festival at Broadway Armory Park

On August 20-24, the Living Newspaper Festival, featuring five original 10-minute plays, hits Broadway Armory Park. The festival features Turning created by Natta Walker and directed by Sydney Charles, The Day The Night Came Down created by Ike Holter and directed by Stephanie Diaz, Picture Day created by Madi Dopelt and directed by Breon Arzell, and Fellow Mortals created by Aurora Real de Asua and directed by Janyce Caraballo.  

 

Freedom From and Freedom To at Bimbom Studios 

On August 22, Freedom From and Freedom To gathers movement and sound improvisors from all around Chicago to perform in front of a live audience. Performers are grouped by chance in this exploration and celebration of artistic circumstance. Each performance features a different group of performers who fuse diverse artistic practices to create unique and fleeting worlds. This month’s lineup includes Cristal Sabbagh, Allen Moore, Shalaka Kulkarni, Mabel Kwan, Caroline Jeselva, and many more.  

 

Cripping the Galleries | Painting Disability Justice at the Museum of Contemporary Art 

On August 29, Genevieve Ramos leads Cripping the Galleries | Painting Disability Justice at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Participants are invited to join Genevieve in creating paintings that respond to themes of feminism and activism in the exhibition From the Center: Looking at Lucy Lippard. “Using disability justice as a framework, the afternoon forefronts conversation, reflection, and learning how to think with paint.”