Expo Chicago is embarking on a new chapter as the fair transitions under the ownership of Frieze, a significant player in the international art scene. This ownership change is leading to notable shifts in the gallery representation and the overall experience at the fair, which avid art enthusiasts and collectors have traditionally enjoyed.
Historically, the Chicago art fair has evolved through various iterations, from the Chicago International Art Exposition to Art Chicago, and finally to its current form as Expo Chicago. For many art lovers, attending these fairs has often meant experiencing both exhilaration and eventual mental fatigue, as the overwhelming amount of art can feel daunting.
As a longtime attendee of these events in Chicago, I have witnessed firsthand the transformation in the fair’s atmosphere and dynamics over the decades. With the recent acquisition by Frieze, there is a palpable curiosity regarding how these changes will affect both local and global engagement with the art community.
Under Frieze’s stewardship, Expo Chicago has already begun to see significant changes in its gallery mix. This year, the presence of South Korean galleries has notably increased, tipping the scale away from local representation, which may distress Chicago-based artists and dealers who rely heavily on the fair for visibility and sales.
New initiatives are also being rolled out, such as the “Contrast” section, curated by Lauren Haynes, head curator at Governors Island Arts. This section aims to exhibit eight contemporary galleries that spotlight artists exploring contrasts in culture, identity, and experience, adding a fresh layer of discourse to the fair.
One major annual highlight has also undergone a transformation. The Museum of Contemporary Art’s Vernissage Party, long celebrated as a cornerstone event during the fair’s opening night, will now take place in the form of a brunch before the VIP opening on Thursday. Though this change may be beneficial for art sales, it raises concerns about potentially dampening the social vibrancy that characterized past events.
In discussing current political climates, there remains an awareness of the effects of tariffs instituted during the Trump administration, though this year’s fair appears to have a limited number of galleries impacted by such regulations. Only three galleries are presently affected, including two from Canada and one from Mexico, indicating a sense of relative stability for many exhibitors.
While a strong presence from Mexico City galleries has been notably absent this year, the number of Brazilian galleries has reached a record high, signaling shifting trends in the international art market. This year’s Expo Chicago will host eight galleries from Brazil, suggesting an emerging interest and investment in the Latin American art scene, possibly influenced by Frieze’s evolving expansions and the recent environmental challenges in that region.
Even with considerable representation from New York galleries, many of the blue-chip establishments that have participated in previous years are noticeably missing. This lack of familiar faces might point toward current market conditions that could be described as a recession in the small real estate measured within the artistic convention floor, as Marc Spiegler had previously described his role at Art Basel.
What remains constant, however, is the sheer volume of art available for discovery at Expo Chicago. Despite shifts in representation, the fair promises a landscape rich with creativity that, for many attendees, remains a source of awe and inspiration. While the structure of the fair continues to evolve, the core of what draws people to such events—the love of art—remains resilient.
The upcoming Newcity 2025 Expo Chicago unofficial guide aims to further engage with these changes, offering insights into attending the fair, recommendations for galleries to visit, and a deeper understanding of contemporary art’s valuation and significance. With articles focusing on collectors’ experiences, emerging Latin American exhibitions, and an examination of leadership in museums, this guide aspires to encapsulate both the challenges and the excitement that Expo Chicago represents this year.
In conclusion, the changes under Frieze’s ownership are emblematic of the broader shifts occurring within the art world. As the fair continues to evolve, Chicagoans and global art lovers alike will have the opportunity to navigate this dynamic landscape, filled with both challenges and critical reflections on art’s ever-changing narrative.
While concerns about local representation persist, the increasing diversity of galleries can also be seen as an opportunity to reflect on art’s global nature and the burgeoning conversations surrounding culture and identity that these changes invite. Indeed, Expo Chicago will continue to be a haven for those passionate about art, ensuring that even with alteration, the love for art endures.
image source from：https://art.newcity.com/2025/04/23/welcome-to-the-art-party-the-unofficial-guide-to-expo-chicago/
