ANNE SMITH STEPHAN at Vivid Art Gallery - Layers of Being: Mapping the Lived Experience

Anne Smith Stephan, Beyond Earth and Sky, 48" x 60" oil and wax on canvas

The paintings of featured artist Anne Smith Stephan will be on view at Vivid Art Gallery in Winnetka, beginning with an opening reception on Friday, June 6, from 5–7 pm.

In this latest collection, Stephan continues to work in abstraction as a way to explore memory, emotion, and the layers of personal history. Her paintings are wistful and expressive. Soft washes of color meet bold, textured brushwork, creating surfaces that invite close inspection. Each painting unfolds gradually, offering glimpses of hidden stories and quiet emotions lying just beneath the surface.

“Art is such a personal creative endeavor… you paint what you see, experience, and know. I take these realities and create another world,” —Stephan.

The paintings in this exhibition reflect Anne Smith Stephan’s evolution through emotional abstraction. Bold and full of feeling, they speak to the complexity of everyday life. Mysterious yet familiar, they invite us to look beyond the surface and discover what lies beneath.

The opening reception for Anne Smith Stephan at Vivid Art Gallery will take place on Friday, June 6, from 5–7 pm. Vivid Art Gallery is located at 895 Green Bay Road in Winnetka. The exhibition will continue through the end of the month. This event is free and open to the public.

Anne Smith Stephan, Rise and Fall, 16" x 20" oil on canvas

EXPO CHICAGO 2025 Returns to Navy Pier, April 24–27

The highly anticipated EXPO CHICAGO 2025 is set to return to Navy Pier from April 24–27, marking its twelfth edition as one of the premier international art fairs. This year, the fair will feature an impressive lineup of world-class galleries, showcasing a diverse and dynamic selection of contemporary and modern art. EXPO CHICAGO continues to serve as a global hub for artistic innovation and cultural exchange.

In addition to its expansive gallery presentations, EXPO CHICAGO 2025 will offer an array of curated programming and special sections, each designed to highlight different aspects of the contemporary art world:

• EXPOSURE – The EXPOSURE section, installed on the main floor of the exposition, features solo and two-artist presentations represented by galleries ten years and younger. For the second year running, EXPOSURE 2025 exhibitors will be curated by Rosario Güiraldes, Curator of Visual Arts at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

• PROFILE – Presents solo booths and focused projects by established international galleries. Showcasing ambitious installations and tightly focused thematic exhibitions, this section features major projects by a single artist or collective, providing a curatorial platform for solo presentations.

• EDITIONS + BOOKS – Showcases a cross-section of established and emerging artists. From limited editions to publications, the exhibitors offer a diverse array of print media and object-based practices that span across photography, sculpture, monographs, and other multiples.

• SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS – The Special Exhibitions section features curatorial projects by select regional, national, and international non-profit institutions, museums, and organizations. Complementing the surrounding elements of the fair, this program illustrates and preserves the important relationship between contemporary and modern art and non-profit organizations.

Beyond the exhibitions, attendees can look forward to a extensive lineup of talks, panels, and site-specific installations, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for collectors, curators, artists, and art enthusiasts alike. The event offers a rare opportunity to engage with the latest trends in contemporary and modern art while networking with some of the most influential voices in the industry.

For exhibitor details, programming schedules, and ticketing information, visit expochicago.com.

Don’t miss this important annual event, where the world’s preeminent galleries, visionary artists, and esteemed collectors converge to celebrate the pinnacle of contemporary and modern art. Whether you're a seasoned collector, an impassioned artist, or a devoted admirer of fine art, EXPO CHICAGO 2025 promises an inspiring, immersive, and unforgettable experience that will deepen your appreciation for the global art landscape.

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