Luke Agada, a Nigerian painter who completed his MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023, chose to remain in Chicago rather than move to New York or Los Angeles, citing the city's balance of opportunities. He spoke during his solo exhibition "To Translate Is to Move Across" at Monique Meloche Gallery, part of the third edition of Chicago Exhibition Weekend (CXW), which expanded to include over 70 galleries, talks, studio visits, and collaborations with the Chicago Architecture Biennial. The event, founded by Abby Pucker of the consultancy firm Gertie, aims to fill a gap in Chicago's art scene left by the end of Gallery Weekend Chicago in 2019.
This matters because Chicago is positioning itself as a resilient art hub amid broader market uncertainty, slower sales, tariffs, and federal arts grant cuts. Local gallerists and art professionals emphasize the city's collaborative spirit, affordable real estate, strong art schools and museums, and growing influx of artists and collectors. CXW has helped galleries connect with emerging collectors and local audiences, with some reporting record foot traffic. The city's ability to foster talent and maintain a supportive community may give it a competitive edge over more expensive art capitals during economic and political turmoil.