Summer of Art: Six Must-See Events, Shops, and Exhibitions in Chicago

Whether you're looking to tour an iconic new museum on Chicago's South Side or stumble into a wonderland of zines in Wicker Park, this summer is the season to get out and explore. School of the Art Institute of Chicago community members are behind some of the most exciting things happening across the city right now. Below is a selection of exhibitions, openings, and creative spaces we think you'll love this summer.

Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening
Jackson Park, South Side | June 18–21, 2026

A decade in the making, the Obama Presidential Center opens to the public on Juneteenth weekend, and SAIC's fingerprints are everywhere. Featured alums include Lindsay Adams (MFA 2025), Aliza Nisenbaum (BFA 2001, MFA 2005), Jeffrey Gibson (BFA 1995), Rashid Johnson (SAIC 2003–04, HON 2018), and Norman Teague (MFA 2016). A sculpture by late alum Richard Hunt (BAE 1957, HON 1979) and a multimedia textile installation by Stephanie and Bill Sick Professor of Fashion, Body and Garment Nick Cave will also be on view. The museum opens June 19 with a dedication ceremony the day before; the surrounding campus grounds are free and open to all.

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The Silver Room
1506 E. 53rd St., Hyde Park | Open Daily

The Silver Room has been a beloved Hyde Park institution for more than 25 years: part boutique, part gallery, part community living room. Alum Norman Teague (MFA 2016) led a full renovation of the space, designing a flexible interior that shifts from shop to stage to gathering space daily. The store carries handmade jewelry, artwork, home goods, and curated music. This summer, the Silver Room Sound System Block Party returns July 18 at the Salt Shed, featuring 40 performers across house, Afrobeat, and hip-hop alongside local vendors and fashion shows.

Elise Seigenthaler Gallery
1709 W. Chicago Ave., West Town | Open Now

Alum and former Rhona Hoffman Gallery director Elise Seigenthaler (BFA 2019)  launched her own gallery in West Town in January, sharing a building with Document and Western Exhibitions. Her mission is creating space for Chicago-based and underrepresented artists through nuanced, narrative-driven programming. Her inaugural show, Housewarming, served as both a curatorial statement and a warm welcome to the neighborhood.

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Sheep Cult Comics
1632 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park | Open Now

Alums Emma Akins (BFA 2020) and Trevor Hormel (BFA 2021) opened their first brick-and-mortar shop in Wicker Park this past March, and it is as much an installation as it is a store. Handmade shelves, seating alcoves, sheep head sculptures, and a gumball machine make it an experience from the moment you walk in. The shop stocks indie comics, zines, art books, games, and collectibles and accepts work from artists on consignment.

Ground Floor 2026 at Hyde Park Art Center
5020 S. Cornell Ave., Hyde Park | August 9–November 1

Every two years, the Hyde Park Art Center opens its lower level to the most promising emerging artists fresh out of Chicago's top MFA programs. Now in its ninth iteration, Ground Floor 2026 showcases recently graduated artists from SAIC, Columbia College Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and UIC. It is a place to discover names before the rest of the art world does.

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The Sticks Woodworking Studio
350 N. Ogden Ave., Fulton Market | Open Now

Founded by alum Fick Patterson (BFA 2022), an artist and furniture maker drawn to bold, tactile, and experimental forms, The Sticks is a newly renovated 5,000-square-foot community woodshop in Fulton Market. It offers membership-based access to high-end equipment, five private studios, and weekly classes ranging from beginner introductions to advanced skill-building—providing a welcoming and well-resourced space for makers of all levels.