Art Gallery at Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center
A note from the founder:
Located in North Lawndale in Chicago, this art gallery features artists who are under-represented in the art world. The gallery also presents theme shows focused on social justice issues. A steppingstone gallery for new artists and artists trying to break into the Chicago art scene. Artists are local, from other states, and even from other parts of the world. Some artists are seeking answers, experience, a place to begin their exhibition careers, and a way to begin their careers in the United States. Those artists are glad to find a welcoming gallery who understands the struggle of modern-day artists.
Our gallery offers opportunities for artists to learn about how to find places to show their art, how to make their art display-ready, how to approach galleries and other potential exhibit sites. We consult with artists to help them with their resumes and get them ready for their art careers.
Our non-profit tax-exempt organization originated in 1984. We wanted to create a kinder, more gentle place for artists to get a start, to find support for career development, and to achieve their goals. The artist/activists who founded the organization knew how difficult the life of an artist can be. The art world can be a cold and lonely place, with galleries not wanting to be very helpful nor answer many questions. I am one of the three founders of Urban Art Retreat.
My name is Dianna C. Long.
As an artist, curator, art lecturer, educator, and gallery operator, I wanted our gallery to provide opportunities for artists to exhibit their art and learn how to approach galleries with more success. I have been exhibiting my own art since the 1960s, lecturing and educating people about the arts around the country for decades, and operating galleries since the 1980s. I am originally from New York, lived in Southern California, and lived in Portland, Oregon before locating in Chicago.
We offer opportunities for artists in the gallery here in Chicago. Our gallery is not about sales and making big names for artists. It is about offering opportunities for interested artists. I am looking for artists who have art they want to show on the social justice themes exhibits we provide.
Sincerely,
Dianna C. Long
Director and Founder
Our Gallery
Located at Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center, 1957 S. Spaulding Ave. in Chicago, Illinois, Liz Long Gallery is a supportive stepping stone gallery with answers and opportunities for new and emerging artists. The gallery at CUARC features artists with extensive resumes and also welcomes newcomers. We love outsider art and self-taught artists. This makes for a memorable show of unique works fresh with different media, styles, and skill levels. Included are talented artists from this area, from other states, and often from other countries.
This art space welcomes diverse artists to show what they have created!
It is also an art gallery that exhibits specially themed shows that display art by under-represented people and shows exhibits on social justice themes.
Many artists face rejection, lack of interest in their art, and aren’t aware of the hoops they must jump through to make it as an artist. Some artists face personal and external obstacles at all levels of their artistic development and experience. Because of this, the rate of artists tend to drop in time, and many frustrated artists are faced with the possibility of having to give up altogether. Our gallery understands what new and emerging artists endure and offers to help them find their way in a supportive environment.
The curator is an artist too. There are stages artists go through and she has been through them all.
What the gallery lacks in size is made up for in rare, original artwork and clever show hangings. Meetings and small workshops take place in the art gallery. We also book groups who visit the gallery and discuss the art works on display. The gallery is a place where visitors can discuss social justice issues by looking at the art.
Periodic art receptions, usually, when offered, are on Saturdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Often activities such as small group discussions or art studio offerings take place in connection with art shows.
Generally, the gallery is open Saturdays from 1 – 4 p.m., during activities and by appointment.
Let us know when you would like to visit, bring some friends, or schedule a group visit. Email is the best way to contact us! Please give us some advance notice: contact@urbanartretreat.com
Please request an appointment in advance via email. Get on the email list for updates to choose from. We have unique ways to spend some of your quality time.
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