EXPO Chicago has returned to Navy Pier with a streamlined format of 130 booths, but the fair's influence is increasingly felt through satellite exhibitions across the city. A notable example is 'Neighbors,' an alternative exhibition space hosted in a Gold Coast apartment by Mirka Serrato, which provides a more affordable and intimate platform for 15 emerging galleries and artists from around the world.
This year marks a transitional period for the fair under the new leadership of Director Kate Sierzputowski, who is emphasizing institutional partnerships and a more curated experience. The rise of independent, domestic-scale shows alongside the main fair highlights Chicago's collaborative creative ecosystem, where high-profile commercial events and grassroots artist-run spaces coexist to amplify the city's status as a global art destination.