The 12th edition of Expo Chicago opened to VIPs at noon on Thursday at the city’s Navy Pier. The later-than-usual opening time seemed to be a strategic choice, as attendance picked up steadily throughout the afternoon. Among the visitors were several Top 200 Collectors, including Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt, Lisa Goodman and Josef Vascovitz, and Alec and Jennifer Litowitz.
Expo Chicago president and director Tony Karman noted the collectors’ enthusiasm and optimism about acquiring art, reflecting positively on the event’s future. The number of exhibitors remained steady at around 170, although there was a noticeable drop in participation from blue-chip galleries. To introduce fresh energy, Expo partnered with the Galleries Association of Korea, bringing about 20 South Korean galleries into the mix.
The broader market slowdown seemed evident, with galleries becoming more selective about participating in art fairs. This year’s Expo saw a mix of exhibitors, with many less-known galleries making significant impressions. Through the fair’s Northern Trust Purchase Prize program, the Dallas Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and Birmingham Museum of Art acquired works by Wallace Pato, Soo Shin, Lilian Martinez, and Winnie Truong.
Some of the best booths at the 2025 edition of Expo Chicago included:
Rivalry Projects showcased compelling works by Ryan Patrick Krueger and Jen Everett in the Exposure section. Krueger collages queer-related images into dense visual narratives, while Everett combines photographs of her parents with found images and materials. Engage Projects presented a solo exhibition of Edra Soto’s work in the Profile section.
Expo Chicago’s vibrant collector turnout
Soto explored Puerto Rican architectural motifs and everyday objects, incorporating viewfinders displaying family photographs and sculptures of personal significance. Walter Maciel Gallery transformed its booth into a locker room, featuring the crocheted installation “Locker Room (2011)” by Nathan Vincent.
The installation explores gender dynamics and LGBTQ+ rights. Galerie Quynh presented fascinating sculptures by Vy Trịnh, who uses materials endemic to Vietnamese culture. Her work repurposes elements of a Honda Dream motorcycle and other local objects, reflecting the streets of Saigon.
Beyond the booths, visitors encountered large-scale sculptures, site-specific works, and limited-edition art books. The Expo also offered a range of programs, such as panel discussions and forums covering topics like “Korean Art Today.”
Many Chicago museums, galleries, and organizations plugged into this celebration of art with their own events across the city. The Intuit Art Museum, undergoing a $10 million renovation, threw a sneak-peek party on Saturday.
The 21c Museum Hotel hosted events, including a free guided tour of the new exhibition on Friday and a conversation on Saturday. The Peninsula Hotel offered its own mini-Expo with a new exhibition called “Seeing the World,” featuring contemporary art by 36 artists from various cities. Expo Chicago runs through Sunday at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall.
Single-day tickets are $40, with a $5 discount for students and seniors; kids younger than 12 are free. Three-day passes cost $68.
