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 opened his solo exhibition "To Translate Is to Move Across" at Monique Meloche Gallery during the third edition of Chicago Exhibition Weekend (CXW), a four-day event involving over 70 galleries, talks, studio visits, and a tennis mixer. CXW was founded by Abby Pucker of the consultancy firm Gertie and co-organized with Expo Chicago, expanding this year to include the Chicago Architecture Biennial and a curated exhibition of conceptual art.
Chicago's art scene is thriving due to its collaborative spirit, affordable real estate, strong art schools and museums, and a growing influx of artists and gallerists. Local dealers report increased foot traffic and connections with emerging collectors, even as the broader art market faces uncertainty from slower sales, tariffs, and federal grant cuts. The city's ability to attract talent like Agada and foster community-driven events positions it as a resilient hub in the current economic and political climate.