Watch CBS News

Best Upcoming Art Exhibits In Chicago

Are you looking for something to do in Chicago? Consider shaking things up a bit by attending an art exhibit. Catching an art exhibit is also a great way to learn more about an artist, or to explore a certain art style. The following list of upcoming art exhibits in Chicago includes a mix of both the favorites in town as well as a few museums that are a bit off the beaten path. For an additional list of places to see art exhibits in the Chicago area, check out this article.

Fires Will Burn: Politically Engaged Art From The Permanent Collection
DePaul Art Museum
935 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 325-7506
www.museums.depaul.edu

Date: Through Dec. 21, 2014

If you're looking for an art exhibit that's more than a little politically charged, consider checking out DePaul Art Museum's exhibit, "Fires will Burn: Politically Engaged Art from the Permanent Collection." The collection includes art from all over the world and represents a number of historical times, including the Vietnam War. The museum's permanent collection also includes the works of artists Salvador Dali, Francisco de Goya, William Hogarth and a number of Chicago-based artists. The museum is located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood and is free of charge.

'Líneas Borrosas: Selected Artwork By Gabriel Villa'
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th St.
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 738-1503
www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.orgDates: Aug. 15 through Dec. 7, 2014

If you're looking for a solo art exhibit, keep "Líneas Borrosas: Selected Artwork By Gabriel Villa" at the National Museum of Mexican Art in mind. The Texas-born artist, who now calls Chicago home, references politics and poverty in his works. Villa's art includes mixed media, paintings and drawings, as well as public artwork that has been displayed throughout Chicago. The National Museum of Mexican Art is located in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, and admission is free.

'The Greek Monsters'
National Hellenic Museum
333 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 655-1234
www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org

Date: Fall 2014

This fall, learn about ghastly ghosts and more through the exhibit "The Greek Monsters" at the National Hellenic Museum. The exhibit features the works of Beetroot and includes sculptures, paintings and audio-visual experiences. It's not all ghosts and monsters at the National Hellenic Museum, either, as it boasts a collection of more than 11,000 artifacts covering ancient Greece to modern times, and every era in between. Located in Chicago's Greektown neighborhood, the National Hellenic Museum is near public transportation and is close to plenty of restaurants.

Related: Best Visual Artists To See In Chicago

'Carved, Cast, Crumpled: Sculpture All Ways'
Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago
5550 S. Greenwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 702-0200
www.smartmuseum.uchicago.edu

Dates: Sept. 27 through Dec. 21, 2014

Through the exhibit "Carved, Cast, Crumpled: Sculpture All Ways" at the University of Chicago's Smart Museum of Art, visitors will be challenged in terms of what defines a sculpture. This exhibit features works curated from the museum's permanent collection, giving visitors a chance to experience the artwork in a new context. The exhibit is part of the Smart Museum's 40th anniversary celebration; other events to mark the occasion include an additional exhibit. The museum offers kid-friendly events and activities, too, making it a worthwhile place to visit for everyone in your family. Located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, the Smart Museum is accessible by public transportation, and admission is free.

'Ghosts And Demons In Japanese Prints'
Art Institute Of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600
www.artic.edu

Dates: Oct. 11, 2014, through Jan. 4, 2015

This fall, get into the Halloween spirit a few weeks early by checking out the exhibit "Ghosts and Demons in Japanese Prints" at the Art Institute of Chicago. The exhibit consists of works selected from the Clarence Buckingham Collection of Japanese Prints and features plenty of ghosts and other scary spirits. If you're in the mood to see additional artwork with demons, then consider seeing the Art Institute's other exhibit "Temptations: The Demons of James Ensor," held Nov. 23, 2014, through Jan. 25, 2015. After you tour the exhibits, make time to check out the rest of the Art Institute's extensive collection of sculptures, paintings, armory and more.

Related: Best Museum Exhibits This Spring In Chicago

Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.