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What has become internationally known as an art destination was once a small cluster of art enthusiasts determined to bring locals—and tourists—a new depth of cultural diversity. Today, there are over 175 art galleries in Chicago.

“Art in Chicago has a wonderfully long history starting with the original benefactors of The Art Institute of Chicago, which gave our city an amazing collection and one of the greatest museums in the world,” says Natalie van Straaten.

One of the city’s most tireless promoters of all things art, Ms. van Straaten is the editor and publisher of Chicago Gallery News—the city’s comprehensive guide to galleries and museums. Ms. van Straaten is regarded as one of the city’s most trusted art authorities, and to add flame to that fire, she also serves as the Executive Director of the Chicago Art Dealers Association.

In 1879, The Art Institute of Chicago was founded as both a museum and a school. It first stood on the corner of State and Monroe Streets, and moved to its current location at Michigan and Adams Street in 1893. It was with the inception of the Museum of Contemporary Art in 1967, that the pulse of the city’s artistic heart truly began to beat.

“Just prior to the opening of the MCA, there were not many galleries in Chicago,” says Ms. van Straaten. “When the Chicago Art Dealers began to form in the mid-sixties, there were fewer than two dozen—most clustered near Michigan and Ontario, where the original MCA opened.”

Shortly thereafter, gallery owners began moving to the River North area of the city. “The attraction was low rent, huge light manufacturing buildings in close proximity to downtown and Michigan Avenue, and a bursting international art market,” says Ms. van Straaten. The pull to the burgeoning area was so strong that several established Michigan Avenue galleries moved to River North. In 1981, 16 galleries lined the streets of Franklin, Superior, Chicago, Wells and the surrounding thoroughfares. By the end of the decade, 65 galleries showcased the work of international talent and set the tone for what has become known as the city’s leading art destination—as well as one of the country’s.

According to Ms. van Straaten, whose offices are in the heart of the district, River North covers the full range of specialties including outstanding photography at Catherine Edelman, Schneider, and Stephen Daiter galleries. For contemporary abstraction art, visit Roy Boyd Gallery, and Robert Henry Adams Fine Art for early 20th century art. Contemporary works on paper can be found at Printworks. For contemporary painting, sculpture, works on paper, and master crafts go to Perimeter Gallery, and for glass sculpture visit Marx-Saunders and Habatat galleries. For masterworks by American folk and Outsider artists go to Carl Hammer Gallery, and for American & European paintings and sculptures visit Gwenda Jay/Addington Gallery. You can find Asian contemporary at Andrew Bae Gallery, and contemporary Haitian, African, and African American arts at Nicole Galleries.

Further north in what is considered the North Side including Bucktown and Wicker Park you can find Art De Triumph, which specializes in giclee prints and collectible fine art cards of paintings by well-known Chicago artist Nancie King Mertz. Also popular in the area is The Leigh Gallery where you’ll find an innovative selection of over 40 established and emerging artists in an array of media including oils, pastels, watercolors, jewelry, pottery and sculpture.

Despite the exodus to River North, the Michigan Avenue area was able to maintain its distinction as a place to view and buy art. In fact, it still boasts some of the city’s most notable galleries. Art enthusiasts can see contemporary and modern masters at Richard Gray Gallery, old masters at R.S. Johnson Gallery and Hilligoss Galleries, Audubon at Joel Oppenheimer Gallery and even peruse several galleries with vintage posters. For those in the market for American art, shop the collection at R. H. Love Galleries. Or to see a slice of Chicago, visit the Fine Arts Building Gallery which primarily showcases Chicago artists. The building itself is a National Historic Landmark and has been an artists' colony for over a century.

During the 1990s, the West Loop began establishing itself as a hotbed for art as well. Of the 25 galleries now featured in this area, “Most are clustered either near Washington and Peoria or in the Fulton Market area,” says Ms. van Straaten. “The major galleries there include Donald Young Gallery, Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Carrie Secrist Gallery, Thomas McCormick Gallery, Walsh Gallery, G.R. N'Namdi Gallery and others.” Also on the must-see list is Aron Packer Gallery for folk and outsider art, and Function + Art for contemporary studio furniture, sculptural lighting and fine crafts.

If visitors find themselves outside of the heaviest populated areas of the city, however, there is still art to discover. Other areas that champion the visual arts include Pilsen East, which has held artist open houses for decades, Bridgeport, Bronzeville and the Bucktown/Wicker Park areas. In Pilsen, you can find 4Art, Inc., which offers graphic design, framing and art instruction. Another popular destination in the area is Dubhe Carreńo Gallery which boasts contemporary ceramic art by international artists.

With the many accessible districts and the tightly-clustered galleries within them, shopping for art in Chicago doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. Unlike other art epicenters, Chicago boasts a welcoming art scene. Visitors to the Windy City can surround themselves with art in every price range, every medium and every period, all fostered by friendly faces.

With so much art to see, the question in Chicago isn’t where to go, but where to begin. To help navigate the many neighborhoods known for being breeding grounds of hot art—despite the cold weather—be sure to pick up the January issue of Ms. van Straaten’s revered Chicago Gallery News.

About The Author:

Meredith Landry spent the last couple of years as the editor of the leading art publication in New Orleans--Gallery Insider Magazine. Now a freelance writer based in Chicago, Landry has covered art, business and notable personalities throughout the Windy City.