Rhona Hoffman, the 90-year-old Chicago gallerist, is closing her eponymous gallery at the end of May 2025 after nearly five decades in operation. The final group show, “Not Just A Pretty Picture,” ends April 26. Hoffman, who opened her gallery in 1976, gave early platforms to artists like Sol LeWitt, Mickalene Thomas, and Carrie Mae Weems, and is especially known for championing women artists such as Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, and Jenny Holzer. She was also made an honorary member of the Guerrilla Girls after documenting her exhibition history of women artists. Hoffman plans to remain in Chicago, curating shows and working with artists, but will not use the term "pop-up" for her future activities.
Hoffman's closure marks the end of a major chapter in Chicago's art scene, where her gallery was a cornerstone for nearly five decades. Her decision reflects broader trends of aging gallerists transitioning from brick-and-mortar spaces, but her continued presence in the city and her planned curatorial work signal that her influence will persist. The story also highlights her legacy as a feminist advocate in the art world, having been recognized by the Guerrilla Girls, and underscores the importance of independent galleries in nurturing artists' careers.