In a recent announcement, Claudine Isé, owner and director of Goldfinch Gallery, expressed her gratitude while revealing that the gallery will be closing its doors.
She cited a shift in personal priorities towards health and wellness as the main reason for this decision.
The closure marks the end of an era for a space that has fostered community and support within the art world.
Isé hopes that the impact of Goldfinch has been positive for those involved.
In light of the art market’s ongoing evolution, a new report from art data firm ARTDAI analyzed auction data from 2025.
The findings indicate a resurgence in interest among buyers for works created by historically significant artists, both living and deceased.
Puck’s Marion Maneker highlighted a trend where collectors are gravitating toward undervalued pieces, suggesting that interest in the art market remains strong, contrary to some perceptions of disengagement.
The report, which spans twelve pages, is available for public review as a PDF.
In another intriguing development within the art market, July saw the sale of a Ceratosaurus fossil at Sotheby’s in New York, part of a post-“Jurassic” auction trend.
The impressive fossil, dating back 154 to 159 million years, fetched a staggering $30.5 million, five times its presale estimate.
This sale follows last year’s record-setting sale of a Stegosaurus skeleton, illustrating the increasing financial potential of prehistoric fossils.
In design news, Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren reiterated the team’s commitment to relocating to Arlington Heights for a new stadium during a recent press conference.
Warren emphasized that Arlington Heights is the sole location that aligns with their design plans, which include a fixed-roof structure.
However, the realization of this plan hinges on legislative support from the state, as the team is seeking assistance with a tax relief bill to facilitate their move.
On the academic front, Chicago State University is pursuing a significant redevelopment initiative, calling on developers to transform a half-mile stretch along 95th Street into student housing and retail spaces.
The project, named University Village 95, aims to construct over 232,000 square feet of infrastructure and green areas on a two-acre expanse that is currently dominated by trees and access roads.
This redevelopment could signify a transformative moment for the university, which primarily serves commuting students from its 161-acre campus.
Furthermore, the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy has successfully acquired original artifacts from Price Tower, the only skyscraper designed by Wright, to ensure the preservation of this architectural gem.
This acquisition follows a complex series of transactions involving various owners, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the history and legacy that these objects represent.
Anticipation is building as restoration efforts at the Auditorium Theatre continue, revealing artifacts left behind by audiences throughout its history.
During recent restoration work on the atrium and stained glass windows, workers discovered items such as an 1889 Chicago Herald newspaper and programs from performances dating back to 1936.
These finds add to the rich narrative of the theatre’s past and highlight the ongoing commitment to maintaining its historical significance.
Up in Detroit, a wave of adaptive reuse projects is signaling a renaissance in the city, with developers repurposing structures like a renovated church and a vintage skyscraper.
These projects represent a blend of history and modern creativity, providing new life to previously underutilized spaces.
In Chicago, good news for students of public transit: water taxi ridership has exceeded pre-pandemic levels, indicating a rejuvenation in commuter habits.
As we transition to dining news, significant changes are occurring in the culinary landscape.
Eater Chicago editor and James Beard award-winner Ashok Selvam was among several staff laid off at Vox Media, raising questions about the future of local coverage and culinary reporting coming out of Chicago’s dining scene.
Meanwhile, the rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic is influencing restaurant offerings, prompting some establishments to introduce miniature meal options to accommodate the appetite-suppressing effects these medications have on diners.
Clinton Hall in New York City showcases this trend with their “teeny-weeny mini meal,” designed specifically for patrons on GLP-1s.
This adaptation aims to reduce food waste while catering to changing consumer demands in the dining sector.
In a groundbreaking development, a Batavia-based company, Savor, has received backing from Bill Gates for their innovative process of creating butter from carbon, without involving animals or traditional agricultural resources.
This sustainability-focused initiative represents a significant shift towards eco-friendly food production methods, utilizing gas to create the ingredients for cooking.
On the film and television front, the Uptown Theatre community is gearing up for a gathering to support neighborhood revitalization and restoration efforts for the historic theater.
Scheduled for August 16, the event seeks to capture a community portrait that reflects the vibrancy of Uptown, reminiscent of past gatherings held during milestone anniversaries of the theater.
In preparation for the forty-third Reeling LGBTQ+ Film Festival, volunteers are being recruited to assist with this year’s event, which is set to run from September 19 to 28.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to earn screening vouchers while engaging with fellow enthusiasts of experimental cinema.
Tesseract Cinema, a new project spearheaded by former Facets intern Josh Oakley, aims to establish a microcinema and café in Pilsen, promoting a diverse spectrum of films and inclusive community engagement.
The group is currently crowdfunding to secure a venue and plans to organize pop-up events beginning this fall.
In media developments, WBEZ is approaching the halfway mark of its $3 million fundraising goal as it seeks to mitigate cuts in federal funding affecting public media outlets due to recent Congressional decisions.
The surge in donations, totaling nearly $1 million since mid-July, reflects community support for public broadcasting amid these financial challenges.
The Chicago Classical Music Street Festival, known as the Thirsty Ears Festival, is poised to celebrate its tenth anniversary on August 23-24, featuring local talent and diverse performances.
This family-friendly street fair will showcase artists such as the Chicago Sinfonietta Brass Quintet and acclaimed musicians from various genres.
In September, music lovers can enjoy a special event titled Sunday in the Park with Lyric, hosted at the Pritzker Pavilion.
This free performance will highlight selections from Lyric’s upcoming opera season along with traditional favorites, featuring the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and special appearances by The Joffrey Ballet.
Excitement is also brewing over the announcement of Music Theater Works’ forty-sixth season, which includes productions of popular classics such as “Cats,” “West Side Story,” and “Hairspray” scheduled for 2026.
Shifting gears to European entertainment trends, English-language stand-up comedy is gaining traction across major cities like Berlin and Amsterdam, as performers navigate cultural differences and language barriers.
Chicago-born comedian Greg Shapiro, who has made the Netherlands his home, comments that self-deprecating humor about one’s nationality often resonates well with audiences.
In Chicago’s arts community, DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth recently appointed Kim Grigsby and Erik Madsen to key leadership roles within the department.
Grigsby brings extensive experience from various sectors, while Madsen offers a wealth of expertise in event coordination and public safety.
Furthermore, the Arts on Devon Festival is set to debut next month, showcasing local talent and cuisines reflective of the unique offerings on Devon Avenue.
Scheduled for September 7, the festival will invite artists and performers from diverse backgrounds to participate, enlivening the community with creativity and culture.
In a significant legal development, a federal judge ruled that the government’s abrupt termination of previously approved humanities grants was unlawful, permitting a lawsuit from humanities advocates to advance.
This ruling underscores the critical nature of federal support for the arts and humanities, a longstanding bipartisan commitment that faces new challenges in the current political landscape.
image source from：newcity
