Agency Art Pop-Up Gallery

My husband and I moved into our home (AKA Agency House, see project page for more info) in August 2020, six months into the COVID pandemic. We were grateful to have a beautiful new home for us and a shop for Jerry, but that basement art gallery/performance space idea I had for a new side hustle? Yeah, that would have to wait a bit since COVID said "No indoorsy stuff!"

Drawing on my background in the visual arts — I have art history degrees and used to work in the art world — I started dreaming about a different kind of art gallery, one more democratic and accessible (literally and figuratively) than my original basement exhibition space idea.

I was having coffee one morning soon after we moved in, staring out our building's big sawtooth windows. They jutted confidently over the sidewalk, tempting everyone who passed to look inside. "What if I displayed art in our living room windows?" I wondered. People wouldn't have to come inside, they could view the show safely from the sidewalk. Art openings could be outdoors to allow social distancing. It would be a great excuse to reconnect with artist friends and do something tangible again.

A few weeks later, Agency Art was born!

Our first show, bold, gorgeous paintings and a sculpture by Roland Santana, was in September 2020. It was co-organized by the late Miguel Cervantes, a friend and co-founder of Comercio Popular, a Mexican design shop in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. After Roland's show, we displayed the work of other Chicago artists: paintings by Lauren Crout, photographs on fabric by Johanna Lowe and Jason Little, handwoven textiles by Dee Clements, an homage to 1980s VHS designs by Bootleg VHS founder Jarrod Ryhal, a botanical installation by Lisa Waud and Katie Beach, a mixed media show by Color Club artists curated by Journie Cirdain, and Shrek-themed AI-generated stain glass windows by Scholastic Rodent (AKA Ryan Cranfill). I held openings on the sidewalk and parkway beside our house with themed foods and drinks that "paired" with the art on display.

Even though the pandemic has passed, I've decided I like the generous, democratic feeling of art that's viewable by everyone at any time and art openings that include drop-ins by random dog walkers in addition to fans of art. That idea of a basement art gallery? That can be for the next owner. For now, keep your eyes peeled for the next Agency Art show at the corner of Montrose and Hamlin and follow us on Instagram.