Chicago’s large art fair is known as EXPO CHICAGO. It has an evolving history. Prior to its current iteration, Navy Pier hosted significant art fairs that laid the groundwork for the city’s contemporary art scene.  In the late 20th century, Chicago saw various art fair initiatives, but it was in the early 2000s that a more consistent presence emerged.

My wife and I started to visit the annual art fairs in the early 2000s and I still do.

In 2012, Tony Karman launched EXPO CHICAGO, aiming to establish a prominent international art fair in the city. Karman’s vision was to create a platform that would attract leading world galleries and affluent collectors, solidifying Chicago’s position as a vital hub for contemporary and modern art.

EXPO CHICAGO rapidly gained recognition, attracting prestigious galleries from around the globe. The fair focuses on high-quality presentations, curated programs, and engaging educational discussions for art students.  It is key event in the international art calendar, drawing comparisons to Art Basel due to its scale and significance. The 2025 Chicago fair includes 170 leading international galleries from 36 countries.

Below are a few fun photographs of art works, openly presented to the public over the past years, that I curated from my photo albums.

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Tags: #ExpoChicago #TonyKarman #NavyPier #ArtBasel