August Artist News
published: Aug. 12, 2025
zakkiyyah najeebah dumas-o'neal, to render the infinite, 2021. 11 minutes, 23 seconds; one channel video; 16:9 ratio. Courtesy of the artist, Chicago Film Archives, and Terra Foundation for American Art.
Ceremonial Rites at First Presbyterian Church
On view now through August 17, 2025, Sulyiman Stokes is a featured artist in Ceremonial Rites, a group exhibition at First Presbyterian Church. The exhibition features work by additional Chicago based photographers Max Li, Natasha Moustache, Seed Lynn, Katon Blackburn, Adebola Oshipitan, Tafari Melisizwe, and Sulyiman Stokes.
On view now through September 14, 2025, From the Great Lakes to the Great Plains: The Visible Currents of Climate Change is a group exhibition at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, Nebraska, “examining the interrelationship between past, present, and future landscapes of the Great Lakes and Great Plains regions. Featuring work by Andrea Carlson and Rozalinda Borcilă, the exhibition highlights how water remains at the core of all climate change conversations.
Sight of Resistance at Center for Native Futures
On view now through January 10, 2026, Sight of Resistance is a group exhibition at the Center for Native Futures featuring work by Andrea Carlson and Debra Yepa Pappan.
City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
On view now through May 31, 2026, City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago is a group exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago featuring work by zakkiyah najeebah dumas-o’neal. “City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago is an intergenerational group exhibition that highlights Chicago’s essential, yet often underacknowledged, role in the story of queer art and activism…. These artists address queerness through diverse media and methods: documenting clandestine queer spaces in photographs, creating sculptures that challenge normative depictions of gender and sexuality, and exploring queer intimacy through drawings, paintings, and videos.”
New Stages Residency 2025 Readings at Goodman Theatre
On August 8-9, Omer Abbas Salem and Terry Guest present brand new works of theatre for the New Stages Residency 2025 Readings at Goodman Theatre. Omer’s THE MAIDS is an absurdist play centering the idea that: life is for living, not for struggle,” and Terry presents NIGHTBIRDS following a drag queen in Reconstruction-Era D.C. Tickets are free with reservation.
On August 9, 17, and 23, Guardians of the Earth and Sky created by Irene Hsiao and featuring Darling Squire, is an exploration of “seasons, elements, colors, and constellations through storytelling, music, and dance…” The event is a multicultural performance created in collaboration with participants of all ages, who will be invited to speak, sing, dance, and create artwork. Guardians of the Earth and Sky is a free performance series, and art supplies will be provided to create headpieces.
Squiggle Build at Taylor Street Farms
On August 10, ¡Anímate! Studio, an arts collaborative led by Andrés Lemus-Spont and Marya Spont-Lemus, presents Squiggle Build at Taylor Street Farms. Participants will play, dream, and collaborate to transform familiar materials into imaginative landscapes. Another iteration of the event will take place on September 14 at the National Public Housing Museum.
Dorian Sylvain “Raised on It!” at Blanc Gallery
Opening August 10, Dorian Sylvain presents a dual-site solo exhibition titled Dorian Sylvain “Raised on It!” at Blanc Gallery. “Through mixed media works, sculptures, and a new site-specific mural at the Hyde Park Art Center, Dorian transforms memory and legacy into vibrant, living art. Honoring mentors, neighbors, and creative ancestors whose everyday acts of creation and resistance shaped her journey, this exhibition is a celebration of art deeply rooted in community and history.”
Cripping the Galleries: Matt Bodett at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
On August 16, Matt Bodett is the featured artist in this month’s Cripping the Galleries, a collaborative series between the Art Institute of Chicago and Bodies of Work. This collaboration supports local artists activation of museums through the lens of crip* culture and access. Matt will lead an interactive writing workshop in response to artwork in the Museum of Contemporary Art galleries.
Freedom From and Freedom To at Elastic Arts
On August 23, Cristal Sabbagh presents Freedom From and Freedom To featuring Mabel Qwan, Norman Long and many other dancers and musicians at Elastic Arts. A continuation of the acclaimed performance series, Freedom From and Freedom To brings musicians and dancers together to create a fully improvised set.