Gallery 200

Gallery 200 is a gem in West Chicago featuring locally created artworks, affordably priced, and eminently accessible. Our artists see visions; their hands work in glass, clay, fiber, photography, oils, watercolors, acrylics, wood. We invite you to wander, dream and browse. Gallery 200 is an art lover’s refuge and a gift giver’s paradise. Learn about Gallery 200 exhibits and artists on this website, or visit  our Virtual Market.

We are an artists’ collective, a division of People Made Visible, and partially supported by the City of West Chicago.

 

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About Us

It started over a cup of coffee, with an empty building and two people with a vision. Michael Kwasman, then the current Mayor, and Fredericka Howard, chairman in the Cultural Arts Commission, saw a way to use the vacant space at 200 Main Street to showcase the work of local artists. Gallery 200 was launched in the Fall of 2005 with the help of the West Chicago City Council and thirty artists with faith in what their art could do, to become the first artists’ cooperative in West Chicago. For several years the Gallery artists used their energy and funds to give the space a fresh coat of paint, acquire display units and continue to bring new art works into the Gallery. This is how the first floor of an 1860’s historical hotel became an elegant space displaying both fine and moderately priced art. The Gallery demonstrates its commitment to the community through events like ArtShare, classes and demonstrations or workshops open to the public. Each month a new Featured Artist exhibit opens with a reception free to visitors. Gallery 200 has flourished with the support of the community and become a haven for art lovers. It is a quiet place to browse, view and buy original local art. In 2014, the Gallery transitioned from a city-supported initiative to merge with the not-for-profit art-diverse People Made Visible, Inc. The City of West Chicago continues to generously support and endorse the Gallery and the artists keep their vision towards growth in the future.

Join Gallery 200

Artists are juried into Gallery 200 by a gallery discernment committee. Once accepted, the artist pays an annual fee and is required to share in staffing while the Gallery is open. Artists may display and sell work, with additional benefits to resident artists who may use gallery space to teach classes or hold workshops. Each month, an artist takes the spotlight as a Featured Artist for that month. Gallery 200 studio space is available for artists to work in their own media, and benefit from the exchange of ideas and skills with other Gallery artists. All artists benefit from strong marketing efforts targeting patrons not only from West Chicago, but around DuPage County and the greater Chicagoland area. Interested artists should bring a sample of their work to Gallery 200, request a jury form and provide contact information. Questions? email us at [email protected].

ArtShare

Gallery 200 is pleased to present “watch and wonder” demonstrations with our artists.  Art can change lives, and we at Gallery 200 feel that it is very important to share our work and our processes with our community and beyond, in the hope that we can inspire others to try what we do, or at least, unveil the mystery behind how we create. Our members paint, draw, work with hot glass in a flame or in kiln, turn and carve wood, sculpt with clay, weave, knit, draw. We’d like to show you what we do and how we do it – and maybe let you try it yourself! We will talk about our art and our design philosophies, and we encourage questions!   ArtShare demonstrations at Gallery 200 are offered on the third Saturday afternoons of the month (although that may change from month to month), for the entire afternoon in the Gallery.   Learn More

Gallery 200 Artists

The Gallery has 30 artists, all wonderfully different, with work in mixed media, photography, oils, watercolor, glass, wood and fiber. Monthly, one artist is featured with an opening reception and a display of a large body of that artist’s work. For this month’s Featured Artist, see our tab on View Current Exhibitions.    Learn More