CHICAGO: Formed in spring 2011 as a collaborative project between the Public Media Institute, Document, Roots & Culture and threewalls, the MDW Fair is a showcase for independent art initiatives, spaces, galleries and artist groups, highlighting artist-run activities and experimental culture locally, nationally and internationally. Featuring more than 75 exhibitors, publishers and performers, the MDW Fair is the world’s premier event for grassroots and independent art culture. Utilizing Mana Contemporary Art Center’s newly opened branch in Chicago, MDW has a packed schedule of performances, artist projects, and events over the course of the weekend.

The third iteration of MDW is an expanded edition, bringing together artist-run spaces, publishers, and programmers from across the country demonstrating the diversity, strength and vision of the people/places making it happen in the independent arts ecology. The MDW Fair is a manifestation of the collective spirit behind the region’s most innovative visual cultural organizers, focusing on the breadth of work done here by artists and arts-facilitators alike.

Booths:
SiLO Art Space (Chicago)
ACRE (Chicago)
Columbia College Chicago Photography Department(Chicago)
Co-Prosperity Sphere / Reuben Kincaid (Chicago)
Courtney Blades (Chicago)
Defibrillator (Chicago)
Document (Chicago)
Eel Space (Chicago)
Elastic Arts Foundation (Chicago)
Eyeporium Gallery (Chicago)
GURL DON’T BE DUMB(Chicago)
Happy Collaborationists (Chicago)
Heaven (Chicago)
Hinge Gallery (Chicago)
Hyde Park Art Center (Chicago)
In Control (Chicago)
Johalla Projects (Chicago)
LVL3 (Chicago)
Make Space (Chicago)
nAbr Gallery (Milwaukee)
Schlong (Chicago)
Octagon (Chicago)
Peanut Gallery (Chicago)
Plug Projects (Kansas City, MO)
Roots & Culture (Chicago)
Roxaboxen Exhibitions (Chicago)
The Salon Series (Chicago)
slow gallery with Clutch (Chicago)
Suitable Video (Chicago)
Terrain Exhibitions (Chicago)
The Abundant Archive (Chicago)
The Franklin (Chicago)
The Luminary Art Center (St. Louis)
threewalls (Chicago)
UIC MFA students (Chicago)
What it is (Chicago)

Publication Tables:
5 Star Ratings
Bootleggers Anonymous (New York/ Los Angeles)
Center for Book and Paper Arts- Columbia College Chicago (Chicago)
Chicago Artist Writers (Chicago)
EAS Columbus (Columbus, OH)
ESCAPE Group (Chicago)
Friends of Blue Dress Park (Los Angeles)
Iceberg and Sorcery (Chicago)
Arts Alliance Illinois(Chicago)
Mystery Spot Books (Minneapolis)
No Coast/Monsters and Dust (Chicago)
Publication Studio (Portland)
Regional Relationships (Chicago)
Silver Galleon Press (Chicago)
SPARE
Soberscove Press (Chicago)
Sona Books (Chicago)
TAG Zine & Pink Chairs (Chicago)
Temporary Art Review (St. Louis)
The Renaissance Society (Chicago)

Performances and Programs by:
Astro Space Party (Chicago)
Thorne Brandt (Chicago)
Mairead Case (Chicago)
Lisa Vinebaum (Chicago)
Hyperkewl (Kansas City)
Picnic (Chicago)
Performancy Forum (New York)
Hoyun Son (Chicago)
Salon (Brook Sinkinson Withrow) (Chicago)
Songs on Conceptual Art (Portland)
Jerome Baez with Theodore Darst (Chicago)

and the Casual Encounters Photo Booth (Chicago/San Francisco)

About Mana Contemporary Chicago:

Mana Contemporary, one of the largest art centers in the United States, is expanding to Chicago. A landmark building in the Pilsen neighborhood is being converted into a flourishing arts community. The center will integrate the local emerging art scene with Mana’s innovative philosophy by providing comprehensive services and programs for artists, students, collectors, institutions, and the greater public––under one roof.

Right now, Mana Contemporary Chicago is completing its third floor to include bright, airy, and fully customizable artist studios. The facility will expand to feature galleries, exhibition spaces, cutting edge monthly events, as well as a cafe, a frame/crate shop, art management services, art storage, and more.

Mana Contemporary Chicago will be one of three Mana branches. Each center will reflect the spirit of the city it is based in, and provide for the unique needs of its artistic community.

Mana Contemporary is located at: 2233 South Throop Street Chicago, IL 60608.

Official Website

More events on this date

Tags: Mana Contemporary Chicago, MDW Fair, Pilsen