EXPO ART WEEK September 14–20, 2015

"In four years, EXPO CHICAGO has become more than an art fair — it’s now a movement to showcase the artistic vitality of the broad-shouldered city." -Tony Karman, President/Director of Exposition Chicago,

Lucky for us, EXPO is back this week and it's happening in Chicago at Navy Pier!

With EXPO CHICAGO as the centerpiece, EXPO ART WEEK (September 14–20, 2015) is presented in conjunction with Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism and marketing organization, and Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). This citywide celebration of arts and culture features an unprecedented number of institutional alignments and highlighted special events by the city’s most prestigious museums, non-profit organizations, and galleries, making the city a must-visit destination on the international arts calendar.

There will be Talks, Performances, and Signings, special Gallery & Museum Exhibits, as well as Parties and Events open to the public, but if you have VIP tickets, make sure to check out these VIP Events. To be honest, I find the whole schedule to be overwhelming. There's just so much going on with EXPO! How does one go to them all? The following are the events I find most interesting and will most likely be at (but wish I could go to more):

EXPO CHICAGO Kickoff & Artadia Award Announcement
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
Wednesday, Sep.16th 2015 09:00pm - 12:00am

VIP Preview | EXPO CHICAGO
Navy Pier, Festival Hall B
Thursday, Sep 17th 12:00pm - 06:00pm

Vernissage | EXPO CHICAGO
It's a ticketed event, and free for VIP card holders.
Pretty much the best night to attend EXPO because of a smaller crowd, and free food and drinks.
Navy Pier, Festival Hall B
Thursday, Sep 17th 06:00pm - 09:00pm

EXPO CHICAGO Official After Party
Spirit of Chicago | Navy Pier
Thursday, Sep.17th 2015 09:00pm - 12:00am

Art After Hours
Friday, Sept 18th, 2015 6-9pm

Riccardo Muti Concert for Chicago
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park | 201 E Randolph St.
Open to the public.
Patron Services Tent | Check-in for VIP seating,
September 18th, 2015 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Geof Oppenheimer: Big Boss and the Ecstasy of Pressures | Exhibition Preview & Breakfast
Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University | 40 Arts Circle Dr.
Evanston, IL, 60208
Saturday, Sep.19th 2015 09:00am - 11:00am

Breakfast at Tiffany's
730 North Michigan Ave
Saturday Sept 19, 9-11am

Artspace and Willis present Curators and Cocktails
Northern Trust Collectors Lounge - EXPO CHICAGO
Access to Lounge with VIP card.
Saturday Sept 19, 4-5pm

Happy Hour | Saturday Sept 19, 5-6pm
Complimentary beverage in the Northern Trust | VIP Collectors Lounge provided by our sponsor City Winery. Access to Lounge with VIP card.

Breakfast at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | 220 East Chicago Ave
Sunday, Sep.20th 2015 09:00am - 11:00am

And of course, don't forget to check out the EXPO itself at Navy Pier.