Chicago’s West Town neighborhood is known for its artsy vibe, buzzy new restaurants, local breweries, and excellent salvage shops. If that’s not enough, this urban enclave also happens to be home to one of the city’s best gallery districts.
Located just northwest of downtown, West Town is filled with unique art spaces that exemplify Chicago’s cutting-edge art gallery scene.
“What’s special about Chicago is that galleries here can take a little bit more of a risk,” says Laura Lester, a fixture of the city’s art community. “Their programs are often quirky and individualistic, while still curatorially rigorous. On a single day in West Town, you can see exhibitions of art historical cornerstones alongside experimental installations, highly conceptual art, and very young artists.”
Laura has worked in the art world for nearly 20 years, from starting her career at the famed Gagosian Gallery in New York City to running her own full-service art advisory and serving on the Women’s Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
We asked Laura to curate a list of top Chicago art galleries in the West Town neighborhood, so you can embark on your own DIY gallery tour (and visit some of the neighborhood’s best restaurants and cafes along the way).
Gallery crawl of Chicago’s West Town neighborhood
Coffee stop: Start your day at West Town’s Metric Coffee cafe, the flagship location of this popular coffee roaster.
Corbett vs Dempsey
Visitors to Corbett vs. Dempsey can expect a well-curated program of international contemporary art that’s both academic and adventurous. See exhibits showcasing established artists alongside historically under-recognized groups and local, emerging, and mid-career artists.
Gray
Founded in 1963, Gray is one of the oldest and most significant programs based in Chicago. Gray exhibits established and emerging artists, spanning modern, post-war, and contemporary art.
Mariane Ibrahim
With galleries located in Chicago, Mexico City, and Paris, French-Somali art dealer Mariane Ibrahim‘s impeccable eye champions artists from Africa and the African diaspora. Located in a former warehouse, the gallery is known for rotating exhibits that feature future art world stars.
Secrist | Beach
Founded in 1992, this contemporary gallery features a mix of solo exhibitions by rostered artists and curated group exhibitions. The 10,000-square-foot space at Secrist | Beach, filled with abundant natural light, is spacious enough to handle large-scale works and ambitious programming.
Monique Meloche
An alum of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Monique Meloche is known for her sharp eye that has shaped the gallery’s curatorial approach. Monique Meloche works with an international roster of artists across all media, emphasizing conceptually rigorous and challenging work.
Lunch break: Stop for a bite at Kasama, an acclaimed spot serving breakfast and lunch dishes infused with Filipino flavors, like the viral longaniza breakfast sandwich and ube-flavored pastries.
Document
Document is a contemporary space that specializes in image-based practices: photography, sculpture, and installation. They are headquartered in Chicago, with a second space in Lisbon. Document also functions as a print studio, creating museum-quality prints along with framing and mounting services.
Patron
The contemporary program at Patron champions women and artists of color, with a mission of opening new channels for audiences to access contemporary art.
Volume
A West Town institution since 2010, Volume emphasizes material-driven practices across disciplines, with a strong focus on contemporary and historical American art and design. The gallery often exhibits artists working in ceramics, fiber, and textiles.
Western Exhibitions
Western Exhibitions champions artists who work in less conventional media and formats, including those who explore texture, surface, and craft. Exhibitions often shine a spotlight on thought-provoking works from innovative LGBTQ+ and feminist artists.
Stay for dinner: Finish your day in West Town with dinner at Maxwells Trading, where each dish looks like a work of art. The menu blends cultures and utilizes ingredients from the restaurant’s rooftop garden.
