Join us for the opening reception for 5&5: a spontaneous duo show ft. Sofia Chitikov & Annie Irene Hejny. Curated together by The Martin’s Founder & Curator, Whitney LaMora, these artist’s work will compliment each other in the front room of the gallery starting 2/17 through 3/18.

From 6-9pm we’ll be holding space for this exhibition! Free to RSVP.

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Sofia Chitikov is a contemporary visual artist, based in Chicago, IL. Born in 1978, in the Soviet Union, she immigrated to the United States in 1992 with her family. Chitikov received a Food Science degree from University of Florida in 2001 and an MBA from Northwestern University in 2012. She spent 15 years in consumer packaged goods industry, developing new products and managing innovation pipelines, before embarking on her journey as a professional artist in 2017. Chitikov has participated in multiple group shows and exhibits regularly at art fairs, including NYC, Chicago and LA editions of The Other Art Fair, Art Santa Fe and Red Dot Miami. Her work can be found in private collections in NYC, Washington DC, Miami, Chicago and London. Chitikov is represented by Contemporary Art Projects USA in Miami, Florida.

Annie Irene Hejny is a voice for the earth. As a visual artist and certified Forest Therapy Guide, her connection with nature has developed into a visual language through abstract paintings, drawings and sculpture. She has exhibited in numerous regional venues including the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, University of St. Thomas, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art and salonlb.. Hejny has participated in several notable Minnesota artist residencies. Her artwork is held in private collections in 30 states and internationally, and public art collections including Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minnesota Vikings Art Collection, Target Corporation and Hilton Corporation. She has completed over 70 commissioned projects for collectors, galleries and public institutions, locally and nationwide, partnering with Valerio Dewalt Train, Art & Field, Eaton Fine Art, University of Minnesota Mill City Clinic and more. Hejny received a 2020 Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and a 2023 Project Space Grant from Kolman & Reeb Gallery. She lives and works in Minneapolis, MN. www.anniehejny.com

ABOUT THE CURATOR

Whitney LaMora is a queer curator, producer and performer. She founded The Martin, an artist-first full service gallery and creative space, in 2018. She also serves as the Creative Director for Split-Rail & Dorothy, also located at 2500 W Chicago Ave. @whitneycurates

ABOUT THE GALLERY

The Martin is an artist-first, full service gallery and creative space, founded in 2018. The Martin has been a home for hundreds of artists in exhibitions, marketplaces, performances and more. Specializing in emerging artists and immersive curatorial efforts, The Martin aims to be a creative home for anyone’s ideas to land.

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The Martin is ADA accessible – along with Split-Rail & Dorothy. A card-only bar will be available. Want to dine at Split-Rail before you stop by the gallery? We recommend making a reservation. Plan to have a post-show cocktail at Dorothy, open until midnight the evening of this opening.

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Tags: 5&5, 5&5: a spontaneous duo show ft. Sofia Chitikov + Annie Irene Hejny, Annie Irene Hejny, Chicago, Sofia Chitikov, The Martin, West Town, Whitney LaMora