.png)
If one ever doubted the reach of Africa—her beauty and her matriarchy—just visit Chicago. Across the city, in both major institutions and unconventional spaces, the diaspora is showing out!
First, there’s the exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago titled Project a Black Planet. What’s fascinating about this show is how many connections it has to other artists and places in Chicago. In Project…, one can see a self-portrait by our adopted daughter, Dr. Margaret Burroughs. Many Chicagoans consider Margaret to be ours, and in a way, she is—for all the nation- and institution-building she did here, including founding the South Side Community Art Center and the DuSable Museum. However, this lovely self-portrait was actually acquired by the New Orleans Museum of Art through the Stella Jones Gallery. Dr. Burroughs was born in Louisiana, but her real work was done here in Chicago.
Project… also highlights the work of Betye Saar. Saar, an Angeleno and the matriarch of three generations of Black women artists, is featured at the Art Institute. But you can also find some of her earlier work at the Neubauer Collegium on the University of Chicago’s campus.
So here’s the list—make sure you see all these shows. See what women are doing. See what Black women are doing. See what Black people are doing. See how many ways Africa is showing her beautiful face. Some of these exhibitions are closing soon, so get to them quickly!
Project a Black PlanetAs the first major exhibition to survey Pan-Africanism’s cultural manifestations, Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica brings together approximately 350 objects spanning from the 1920s to the present, created by artists from four continents—Africa, North and South America, and Europe. Panafrica, the conceptual land evoked in the exhibition’s title, is presented as a space where arguments about decolonization, solidarity, and freedom are advanced and negotiated in pursuit of an emancipatory future.
Art Institute of Chicago111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603www.artic.edu/exhibitions/10157/project-a-black-planet-the-art-and-culture-of-panafricaClosing March 30, 2025
Let’s Get It On: The Wearable Art of Betye SaarThis exhibition offers the first in-depth look at a pivotal moment in Betye Saar’s career—when a visit to Chicago’s Field Museum in 1974 transformed the way she conceived of herself as an artist. Featuring more than 60 objects, including a ceremonial robe from Cameroon, costumes and jewelry designed by Saar, drawings, photos, archival materials, and more, this show sheds new light on how Saar’s early career in costume design influenced her pioneering work in assemblage and installation. Let’s Get It On is part of a series of exhibitions and events tied to Panafrica: Histories, Aesthetics, Politics, a multi-year research project at the Neubauer Collegium exploring the connections between Pan-African politics and culture.
Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society5701 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637www.neubauercollegium.uchicago.edu/exhibitions/betye-saarClosing April 27, 2025
of Girls and MenThe Fourth Presbyterian Church on the Magnificent Mile may not be the first venue that comes to mind for Black art—but quietly, it is. Before entering the sanctuary, take a moment to witness Gerald Griffin’s massive painting, The Ascension, which depicts Christ as Black. It will stop you in your tracks. Then, step into the Loggia to experience a solo exhibition of exquisite collages by Chicago artist Candace Hunter (Chlee). Curated by Monica J. Brown, this mid-career showcase honors the joy, humor, and resilience of Black people. An artist to keep your eye on.
Fourth Presbyterian Church126 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611www.fourthchurch.orgClosing March 27, 2025
Africa FashionFrom heritage to haute couture—discover the artistry and stories behind African fashion.
Field Museum of Natural History1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/africa-fashion
Giving Her, Her FlowersGiving Her, Her Flowers addresses the historical erasure of women’s achievements by celebrating both the subjects and the artists. The Chicago edition honors fourteen notable Black female figures from the city’s arts community, with portraits painted by eight Black female artists. These honorees have made tremendous strides in creating opportunities for artists to thrive.
Navy Pier - Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611www.navypier.org/events/giving-her-her-flowers-exhibit