Sleeping with the Artist Salon Series

The Sleeping with the Artist Salon Series at the Hotel Palomar is taking place on Thursday, May 17th. No, this is not a collection of short stories written by Thomas Kinkade's groupies in the style of 50 Shades of Grey. Guests will be able to view a collection of art from local artists while enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres from Sable Kitchen & Bar.

The $10 mandatory cover charge suggested donation for this event will score you a raffle ticket, and the satisfaction of knowing that your money will benefit the Chicago Arts Partnership in Education. 

Sleeping with the Artist Salon Series

Thursday, May 17 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Hotel Palomar | 505 N. State St

RSVP to Sarah.Erker@hotelpalomar.com or call 312.985.0736

Picasso and Beyond

KM Fine Arts is hosting a wine and cheese reception in honor of the new Picasso and Beyond exhibition on Friday, April 13th. Picasso and Beyond is a showcase of various pieces from legendary artists such as Picasso, Miro, Botero, Chagall and Old Dirty Bastard. Make sure you RSVP for this one!

Picasso and Beyond
Friday, April 13 | 5 - 8 PM
John Hancock Center
875 N. Michigan Ave | Suite 2515

RSVP to info@kmfinearts.com or 312.255.1202

The Guest

Haute Living is hosting a reception for the unveiling of the new porcelain collection, The Guest by Lladró Atelier, on Wednesday, March 14th. Judging by the images on the flyer "The Guest" is a creepy mouse/bunny/alien child figurine that would totally not look weird sitting in my foyer.  I hope this thing doesn't look like the creepy time travel rabbit in Donnie Darko. If it does I'll have to blow my rape whistle and haul ass out of that place. Some other artists will be displaying their select works blah blah blah...FREE Spanish tapas and wine!

The Guest by Lladró Atelier
Wednesday, March 14 | 6 - 8 PM
Haute Living (above the Haute Yoga studio next door to Haute Carl's FroYo)
222 W Kinzie Street

RSVP to 312.329.9000 or jeff@haute-living.com

FEAST!

The Smart Museum of Art is hosting a reception to celebrate the opening of the new "Feast!" exhibit on Wednesday, February 15th. The reception features a performance by Theater Gates and the Black Monks of Mississippi, Tom Marioni's social artwork The Act of Drinking Beer with Friends is the Highest Form of Art, and the debut of Michael Rakowitz's Enemy Kitchen Food Truck which serves Iraqi cuisine on paper replicas of Saddam Hussein's china (WTF?).

I'm assuming "The Act of Drinking Beer" is some kind of social experiment that actually consists of real beer drinking by the patrons of this event. Otherwise I'm going to introduce my own social artwork--"The Act of Tearing Sh*t Up with Brass Knuckles and Table Legs When I Don't Get My Booze!"

Feast! Opening Reception
Wednesday, February 15 | 7:30 PM - 9 PM
Smart Museum of Art
5550 S. Greenwood Ave

Check out the event details HERE.

No RSVP required (as far as I can tell)

Alicia LaChance Gallery Reception

Museum Works Galleries is hosting the Opening Reception for Alicia LaChance's "Hotaru Spring" gallery on Thursday, February 16th. As is the norm for any respectable art gallery, cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres will be served to make things interesting. Appropriate dress attire ranges from  "bourgeois socialite" to "weirdo-hipster-strip club DJ", also known as "Kanye West Style". RSVP if you'd like to attend!

Alicia LaChance Gallery Reception

Thursday, February 16 | 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Merchandise Mart

222 Merchandist Mart Plaza | Suite 1850

RSVP to rsvp@mwgalleries.com

Macy's Celebrates Black History Month

Celebrate the 100th birthday of African-American artist, Romare Bearden, at Macy's (State Street) on Thursday, February 9th. The reception, sponsored by Gallery Guichard, will include Bearden's works along with art inspired by Bearden, samples of the honored artist's favorite dishes, AND a photo flip book keepsake. Hot damn! <slaps knees> This event sounds like it's gonna be the bees knees! Oh wait, there's no mention of alcohol. But this is an art gallery! They're totally obligated to serve booze. It's unconstitutional to do otherwise.

Just in case, you might want to sneak a flask in by clenching it between your butt cheeks. A good gluteal squeezing technique will enable you to walk like a genuine art snob. No one will know the difference. Look for me in the beret and scarf draped over a cashmere sweater vest with leather shoulder patches. NEXT LEVEL CLASSY!

Romare Bearden Gallery Reception/Birthday Party
Thursday, February 9 | 5:30 PM
Macy's on State Street
111 N. State St
Archives - 7th Floor

To RSVP, please call 1.800.329.8667

Darryll Schiff Grand Opening

Gentner Furniture Design will showcase a display of artist Darryll Schiff's works on Friday, November 11th. Complimentary drinks and appetizers will be served. Visit http://www.schiff-art.com/ to check out some of his pieces. The "In Vista" collection (see picture above) includes high-quality blurry photos that apparently emulates the perspective of someone with a severe migraine. Check it out.

Darryll Schiff Grand Opening
Friday, November 11 | 5 - 8  PM
Gentner Furniture Design
228 West Kinzie Street

No RSVP required

Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series

Check out the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series at the Gallery Guichard in Bronzeville on Saturday, October 15^th. Two artists will be selected to exhibit in Miami at Art Basel, the International Art Show. There will be a private cocktail reception from 6 – 9 PM including passed appetizers. Nothing makes me appreciate art more than gin and juice...and nudity.

Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series

Saturday, October 15 | 6 – 9 PM

Gallery Guichard

3521 South Martin Luther King Drive

RSVP by 10/13 to Chicago@Sapphireart.com

Strange Beauty Show Five-Year Anniversary

Strange Beauty Show, a salon and art gallery in Wicker Park, will be celebrating it's Five-Year Anniversary on Saturday, October 15th! This event will feature a hair showcase displaying all of the latest styles like the Jermaine Jackson Signature Pompadour Fade or the Crazy Cat Lady, popularized by Helena Bonham Carter. There will also be an art exhibition by Brett Whitacre with music provided by DJ Orville Kline. Last but not least, complimentary beverages and appetizers will be served. Proceeds from art sales and other services will benefit the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

Strange Beauty Show Five-Year Anniversary
Saturday, October 15 | 7 - 10PM
Strange Beauty Show Salon
1118 North Ashland Avenue

No RSVP required

The Mystery of Vision

Ubu Fine Art presents The Mystery of Vision on Thursday, October 27th. RSVP to attend the cocktail reception and meet Yang Yang, the artist behind the glorious artwork displayed above. How do you interpret this masterpiece? I'm fairly certain it's a buffalo horse being ridden by a man whose legs resemble baked chicken wings. Additionally there's a crow on his arm that's causing a bad allergic reaction. The message is pretty clear here folks. It's all about global warming. And chicken.

The Mystery of Vision
Thursday, October 27 | 5 - 9 PM
Geneva Seal
112 E. Oak St

RSVP to 866-922-6236

John Allan's Presents...

John Allan's Chicago is hosting a little soiree to welcome "customer clothier" Nicholas Joseph and "tree artist" Bruce Burton to the the club. Guests at this event can expect a trunk show, art signing, signature cocktails, appetizers, and mini grooming services.

Maybe it's just me, but this event appears to be lacking the manliness factor. They might want to consider adding a mixed martial arts cage fight between two bikini clad models covered in chili. Or how about an assault rifle demonstration presented by bikini-clad models covered in chili? A simple chili cook-off with bikini-clad models would also suffice, as long as they all end up covered in chili at some point.

John Allan's Welcomes Nicholas Joseph and Bruce Burton
Thursday, October 6 | 6 - 9 PM
111 W. Jackson Blvd, Penthouse Suite

RSVP to JAchicago@JohnAllans.com

UBU Fine Art

UBU Fine Art presents Fidel Rodriquez, an artist whose work will cause your urethra to pulsate with glee, and a cocktail reception at Oak Street boutique Geneva Seal, on Thursday, September 15th.

UBU Fine Art Gallery Reception
Thursday, September 15 | 6 PM - 10 PM
Geneva Seal
112 E. Oak St.

RSVP to renacitrin@gmail.com or visit ubufineart.com for more information.

Remember this?

The Artisan Series

The Artisan Series, sponsored by Uptown Magazine & Bombay Sapphire, is taking place on Wednesday, June 22nd at District. This event includes a hosted cocktail reception and passed appetizers from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Attendees will have a chance to win a trip to the "Art for Life" benefit at Russell Simmons' East Hampton estate this summer. Mr. Simmons will showcase his latest exhibit, consisting of oil paintings that he created with his anus while executing advanced yoga poses.

The Artisan Series
Wednesday, June 22 | 7 - 8:30 PM
District | 170 West Ontario Street

RSVP to Chicago@Sapphireart.com

Rising Stars

The Joffrey Auxiliary Board invites you to a sneak peak of Rising Stars, a new production from The Joffrey Ballet, followed by a reception on Wednesday, May 11th. The reception will consist of complimentary champagne, hors d'ouevres and several failed attempts to hook up with the dancers. Since the appetizers and liquor are served after the program you may need to rely on a flask or Cognac-filled Robitussin bottle to hold you over. Good luck!

Rising Stars Affinity Night
Wednesday, May 11 | 5:30 P.M.
The Joffrey Tower | 10 East Randolph

5:30 PM - Registration
6:00 PM - Program
6:45 PM - Reception

To RSVP call 312-784-4640

Art Chicago After Art Party

Art thou ready to party? It's about to go down on Friday, April 29th, when ART ROCKS, the Official After Art Party during Art Chicago, kicks off at EnV with complimentary cocktails from 6 - 8:30 PM. But wait, there's more! The After After Art Party After Art Chicago (what?) is happening at LUMEN with more complimentary cocktails provided by Corzo Tequila from 9 - 11 PM! Who knew art and alcohol could be such a perfect pairing?*

ART ROCKS After Art Party
Friday, April 29 | 6 - 8:30 PM
EnV Luxury Apartments | 161 W. Kinzie

After After Art Party
Friday, April 29 | 9 - 11 PM
Lumen Nightclub | 839 West Fulton Market

Go here to RSVP: http://www.factio-magazine.com/afterart/

*Answer: Anyone who has ever attended an art gallery! Duh!

Hotel Palomar 1st Birthday

The Hotel Palomar is celebrating its One-Year Anniversary with complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres on Tuesday, March 22nd. As part of this celebration the hotel will host an "art salon", which I assume is elitist talk for "art gallery", featuring the works of Justus Roe and Darrell Roberts.

The salon is called "Sleeping With The Artist", which means one of two things. Whoever gets a roofie in their drink will actually BECOME the artwork (check the artists' Facebook pages for pictures on Wednesday morning!) or Prince will perform new songs inspired by his dreams interspersed with verbiage from Jehovah's Witnesses literature.

Hotel Palomar Chicago 1-Year Anniversary
"Sleeping With the Artist"
Tuesday, March 22 | 5 - 7 PM
505 North State Street

RSVP to christy.nolan@hotelpalomar.com

Please note there's also a $10 "suggested donation" with proceeds benefiting the Chicago Arts Partnership in Education (CAPE).