FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Press - The Merchandise Mart

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kasey Madden
Director of Public Relations / Art Chicago
312.527.3357
kmadden@artchicago.com
ARTROPOLIS, A CITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF ARTS, CULTURE & ANTIQUES
MAY 1 – 4, 2009, ANCHORED BY THREE SHOWS AT THE MERCHANDISE MART
CHICAGO (March 24, 2009) – Three shows running concurrently at The Merchandise Mart will anchor a city-wide
celebration of arts, antiques and culture called Artropolis, May 1 – 4, 2009.
ART CHICAGO ®
The centerpiece of the weekend will be Art Chicago, the international fair of contemporary and modern art.
Presenting a fresh-slate of exhibitions, call-out panels and 110 leading galleries from around the globe, Art Chicago
2009 will be the 29 th edition of an art fair in Chicago.
Presenting curators, collectors and art enthusiasts a wide-ranging survey beginning with early 20 th Century modern
masters up through the freshest, most celebrated art of our times, Art Chicago includes works in an endless variety of
media, including drawings, prints, sculpture, video and special installations.
“With galleries from Spain, Germany, England, Canada, Japan, China, Korea, India and France exhibiting,” notes Art
Chicago Vice President Tony Karman, “Art Chicago 2009 will maintain its international flavor along with highlighting
extraordinary work from a strong showing of U.S. and noted Chicago galleries.”
Numerous changes to Art Chicago include a concerted effort to ensure the fair experience is more focused, with fewer
galleries displaying in more open spaces. The content-rich show will present an engaging and provocative series of
panels and presentations called Art Chicago Speaks, featuring 100+ renowned art experts, as well as stand-alone
exhibitions thoughtfully curated by some of Chicago’s brightest art minds.
“Art is the subtext for every decision made for Art Chicago,” says Paul Morris, vice president of MMPI Art Shows. “To
this end, Art Chicago has taken a lead position in emphasizing art education through a docent program and scheduled
tours to make the exhibited work accessible to new collectors and developed exhibitions with local curators to engage
experienced collectors.”
For more information on Art Chicago, visit www.artchicago.com.
NEXT
NEXT, the critically acclaimed complement fair to Art Chicago, debuted in 2008. The invitational exhibition of
emerging art includes works from both commercial and non-commercial art organizations including galleries, project
spaces, art publications and key private contemporary collections from around the world.
Organized by critic/curator Christian Viveros-Faune and dealer/art fair organizer Kavi Gupta, NEXT is a unique model
for experiencing the best of contemporary art – carving a niche for presenting brilliant if as yet under-known work.
Organized for collectors, critics, dealers, artists and enthusiasts, the fair represents the next step in innovative
presentation of contemporary art. NEXT is dedicated to placing the newest developments in contemporary art in a
truly global context, and will be showing galleries from Antwerp, Dublin, London, Melbourne, Tenerife, among others,
as well as galleries from around the United States.
The West Collection of Philadelphia, one of the nation’s premier collections of emerging art, is
dedicated to championing rising talent, and will be presenting 10 promising artists, showing at the fair, with cash
prizes.
“NEXT will be edgy, smart-looking and responsive to the changing times,” states Christian Viveros-Faune. “We

highlight art over artifice, content rather than flash, and affordability instead of speculation.”
Additional information on NEXT can be found on www.nextartfair.com.
THE MERCHANDISE MART INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES FAIR
The leading exhibition of antiques and fine art in the Midwest, The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair
returns for its 12th year and will unite more than 100 international dealers, allowing enthusiasts to shop an amazing
anthology of works ranging from rare antiquities to modern design.
National and international antiques and fine art dealers exhibiting in the fair will showcase the finest in 20 th Century
Design, Americana, Architectural Design, Asian Art & Antiquities, Barometers, Books, Ceramics, Clocks, Decorative
Arts, Folk Art, Furniture, Glass, Jewelry, Paintings, Posters, Prints, Maps, Sculpture, Silver, Textiles and Tribal Art and
more.
Additionally, The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair is proud to announce business magnate and founder of
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Martha Stewart, as their keynote speaker. Stewart will present at 10 a.m. on May
1.
“The Fair offers collectors extraordinary finds from the past and the opportunities to learn what makes each object
unique and to fill their home with design of a greater meaning,” says Lisa Simonian, vice president of marketing at
The Merchandise Mart. “With first-class events and an outstanding lecture series, the Fair offers something for
everybody.”
Further information on Antiques Fair can be found at www.merchandisemartantiques.com.
City-wide Celebration / Artropolis
“When resurrecting Art Chicago in 2006,” explains Merchandise Mart Vice President Mark Falanga, “it was important
for us to get the input of Chicago gallerists, business, civic and cultural leaders. They resoundingly recommended we
invite and foster the participation of Chicago’s great cultural institutions. This has added tremendous dimension to
the entire experience.”
The number of institutions and their involvement has grown; in 2009, 85 cross-discipline cultural organizations
throughout the city will participate in Artropolis. From the MCA, the Art Institute, Hyde Park Art Center to dance
troupes, organizations are banding together to make this an extraordinary weekend.
A sampling of other Cultural Partners include:
- The Museum of Contemporary Photography - Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
- Art Dealers Association of Chicago - Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
- Millennium Park - Gene Siskel Film Center
- Goodman Theatre - Second City
- Chicago Children’s Museum - Hubbard Street Dance
“This is a city with a spirited commitment to art and architecture,” states Chris Kennedy, president of Merchandise
Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). “The cultural institutions have lent us their expertise and their participation. Chicago is,
without question, a destination city May 1 - 4.”
ART CHICAGO FAIR HOURS
Opening Preview: April 30, 2009
Noon – 3 pm First Focus, providing sneak peek at Art Chicago. All proceeds benefit the
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased by visiting
www.mcachicago.org/firstfocus
3-6pm: Art Chicago Professional Preview By invitation
6-9pm: Art Chicago Opening Preview
Benefiting the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased
on-site, or by visiting artchicago.com.

General Run of Fair, May 1 – 4, 2009
Times: Friday, May 1, 11am - 7pm
Saturday, May 2, 11am - 7pm
Sunday, May 3, 11am - 6pm
Monday, May 4, 11am - 4pm
Location: The Merchandise Mart, 12 th Floor
Information: www.artchicago.com or 312.527.3701
NEXT FAIR HOURS
Opening Preview: April 30, 2009
5 - 7pm NEXT Professional Preview By invitation
7 – 10pm NEXT Opening Preview By invitation
Times: Friday, May 1, 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday, May 2, 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday, May 3, 11 am – 6 pm
Monday, May 4, 11 am – 4 pm
Location: Merchandise Mart, Chicago, 7 th Floor
MERCHANDISE MART INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES FAIR HOURS
Preview Night: April 30, 2009
6 – 9 pm Benefit for the Women’s Board of the Rehabilitation Institute
of Chicago (RIC). Ticket information will be available at
www.merchandisemartantiques.com.
Times: Friday, May 1, 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday, May 2, 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday, May 3, 11 am – 6 pm
Monday, May 4, 11 am – 3 pm
Location: Merchandise Mart, Chicago, 8 th Floor