The Martin

An artist-first community space in the West Town neighborhood in Chicago. We share a home with Split-Rail at 2500 W Chicago Ave.

12/05/2023

Tomorrow night visual artist Cay Mims brings her community focused conversation and art practice event humbleDeity to The Martin, featuring Prints! Prints! Prints! artists Jill Nahrstedt & Jessica Malatia.

Designed to challenge the typical approach of an artist talk, Cay invites the audience to have an open dialogue with artists about their practice, what it means to be an artist, the art community and more.

Rounding out the discussion the artists share a bit of their practice with the audience as well - uniquely transitioning all within the walls of the room to be able to also claim the moniker of artist through their knowledge and creation.

This event is free to attend! Doors at 6:30pm and the event begins at 7. Link in bio to RSVP.

12/03/2023

We have entered our final week of our gallery & the exhibitions within it. It’s been such a delight to get to sell and share so much work from the Prints! Prints! Prints! show as well as Kyle Richer’s takeover of The Robin.

You can visit us today during staffed gallery hours 4-6:30pm, Wednesday during our artist talk (event dropping today!), and Thursday - Sunday of next week.

Link in bio for gallery hours and to RSVP for our closing weekend. 🤍

11/27/2023

Alongside our Prints! Prints! Prints! group exhibition we are featuring very giftable mini pottery by artist Kyle Richer in The Robin.

The Robin is our mini gallery hung in our bathroom - a repurposed vintage jewelry display turned gallery. This will be The Robin’s final exhibition (at least in this space!) and Kyle has created beautiful, charming & delightful pots for you or yours.

Collectors have already claimed a few of them but there’s plenty more to shop from. Stop by the next time you’re in the gallery or visit the links in our bio to see the details around the pots yet to be collected.

DM or email with collection interest today!

11/18/2023

The Martin’s final exhibition opens TONIGHT.

6-9pm - RSVP for free via the link in our bio or just stop on by.

Can’t make it tonight? Check out our website for all of our upcoming staffed gallery hours through 12/10.

11/14/2023

My vision for opening The Martin in June of 2018 was to solve a problem in the event landscape of Chicago that I was experiencing as a producer. I wanted a safe, flexible and affordable storefront in which artists could thrive, be seen and understood and overall: create.

The deep sense of loss I felt in our sudden closure in March 2020 due to COVID-19 after almost two years of rising to that occasion was immense. To be given the opportunity to reopen in June of 2021, adjoined to Split-Rail which I had called a home away from home for years prior, was a dream I didn’t even know I had. The past two years have provided clarity, direction and inspiration for myself and our growing, changing and thriving community.

Today I announce the official, final close of The Martin - a space that bears my father’s name, has grown up with me and will forever be a pillar in my artistic career and exploration in Chicago. Our final exhibitions will have their final weekend with us December 8th - 10th.

Along with our closure announcement we are announcing the close of Split-Rail. I’ve been on the team at Split-Rail for six years and have been grateful for an endless amount of opportunity, growth and knowledge from the generous minds of so many - but especially Zoe and Michelle.

Our vibrant, q***r, events-driven cocktail lounge Dorothy will continue on and I still proudly serve as the Creative Director of the bar - getting to produce events at a rate, impact and variety I could have only dreamed of when I sought out my own business in 2018.

I have found great peace and pleasure in the Curatorial field and will continue to work in many spaces with my focus always being to uplift, encourage and elevate young, q***r, hungry, talented artists. You can follow me at for future calls, shows and more.

Our Hospitality Collective is called Drinking Policy and you can follow us to stay in the know on where you can find us next.

Thank you for believing in me, supporting my dream and loving The Martin right along with me.

🤍Whitney

11/11/2023

Opening in one week is Prints! Prints! Prints! - a group exhibition celebrating the art of printmaking.

This exhibition featuring 20+ artists from the Chicagoland area and beyond brings a variety of print techniques to our gallery, delightfully ranging in price and scope for all levels of collectors.

Each artist will feature one framed version of their available print along with unframed copies for easy take home and early holiday shopping.

RSVP for our opening next Saturday night from 6-9pm via the link in our bio! ✨

11/09/2023

Two more fantastic works hang together in our back room gallery show MUTED & MIGHTY which closes tomorrow night: Heavy is the head by Elise Blair Bagnoli & Family Gathering (2023) by Izzy Cho.

Heavy is the head
• 42” x 54”
• Mixed media (acrylic & oil stick/paint, oil pastel, ribbon, found object)
• $12,000

Family Gathering (2023)
• 24” x 33”
• Laser cut acrylic, hanji, mdf, spray paint
• $4,000

Both works are still available for collection and you can see them tomorrow night during our closing reception from 6-9pm. The gallery is closed tonight for a private event.

RSVP for our closing tomorrow via the link in our bio. DM or email with collection interest!

11/08/2023

We are one week away from bringing this dynamic and exciting event to The Martin: Imagining the New Creative Economy brought to us by The Future of Art in America podcast led by Olivia Lilley!

This event is a multi-tiered experience for those in the arts and anyone interested in future entrepreneurial efforts in the art sector. Network with professionals, listen to the stories and guidance by our panel members and even have a chance to pitch your idea to our audience for feedback, support and maybe even the pathway to making your entrepreneurial dreams achievable.

Panelists include screenwriters, curators, producers, actors - all here to share their wisdom and help guide the artists who pitch their creative visions to the room.

Only 10 tickets remain to next Wednesday’s event - link in bio to grab one of the remaining few.

11/08/2023

bicatch by Mikey Mosher

•13" x 16" x 8"
• Letterpress drawer, metal grid, enamel spray paint, mesh, shell, zip ties
•$750

You only have a few chances left to catch CONTAINER CONTINUUM by Mikey Mosher! The gallery is closed tonight for a private event but you can still see the show:

• Wednesday: 5-9pm via Split-Rail
• Friday: 6-9pm at our closing reception
• Sunday: during Gina Cornejo’s DIRTY LAUNDRY event

That’s it! Otherwise the gallery is closed for private events and then we’re on to Prints! Prints! Prints!

Link in bio to RSVP to our closing reception 🤍 DM or email with any collection questions or interest.

📸

11/06/2023

It’s our final week of MUTED & MIGHTY and there are still so many great works to collect, like “Barn Light” & “Chocolate City Skies” by artists Matthew Brett & Sunnie Skiez.

Barn Light by Matthew Brett
• 48”x48”
• Acrylic on canvas
• $6,000

Chocolate City by Sunnie Skiez
• 36”x36”
• Aerosol and acrylics on gallery canvas
• $850

Both works are still available for collection!

You can see these works tonight and hear directly about Matthew’s process in humbleDeity: a community-focused conversation & art practice hosted by Cay Mims, also featuring M&M artist Lillian Heredia.

Link in bio to join us for free tonight!

Artists: it’s Industry Night at Split-Rail tonight so grab dinner before the event and get 50% off when you tell them you’re industry. ✨

11/05/2023

We are one week away from Gina Cornejo’s DIRTY LAUNDRY - a night of film & immersive storytelling!

DIRTY LAUNDRY the film is an intimate virtual performance from Stewart Owen Dance and Gina Cornejo, that premiered on February 12, 2022. Featuring choreography from Stewart Owen Dance and original autobiographical writing from Gina Cornejo, this cringeworthy-yet-charming film brings together seven artists to enchant viewers.

As an invitation to open dialogue and passionately unearth gritty topics that are often buried, The Martin will host an evening featuring live immersive storytelling by Gina Cornejo, DIRTY LAUNDRY the film and a post show Q&A. Witness Cornejo as she unapologetically discloses the irreverent unraveling of her marriage and divorce on her path to her Q***r reclamation. Time to air the dirty laundry, Chicago!

Join us on Sunday November 12th for the showcase. Doors at 7pm and Gina's showcase begins at 7:30pm. Each ticket includes the performance and a complementary glass of bubbles presented during the experience.

Link in bio for sliding scale tickets.

11/03/2023

forever & cardinal by Mikey Mosher

forever:
• 12" x 18.5" x 6"
• Found objects, plywood, metal grid, enamel spray paint
• $1,500

cardinal:
• 14" x 18" x 4.75"
• Found objects, wood, pegboard, zipties, paint, metal grid, enamel spray paint
• $1,650

Both works are available for collection!

We are entering our final week of CONTAINER CONTINUUM along with our group exhibition MUTED & MIGHTY.

It’s First Fridays in the neighborhood tonight and while we won’t be staffed, while you’re checking out art throughout West Town you can pop in and see not only the original artwork in Split-Rail but also all of our exhibitions in our gallery from 5-10pm.

RSVP for our closing reception via the link in our bio for next Friday night: 6-9pm! DM or email for collection inquiries.

📸

11/02/2023

Have you taken a peek at the tiny exhibition in our mini gallery The Robin by Chicago artist Kyle Richer?

His small hand built & painted vases are an easy and unique gift or collection item of your own! Ranging from $45-75/ea they’re great for all levels of collector.

One vase is already sold and we feel like they’ll only be collected more and more as the holidays approach…

Link in bio to check out the artwork details! DM or email with collection interest today.

10/31/2023

This November we have several exciting events coming up including humbleDeity - an event created by visual artist Cayla Mims to challenge the concept of a traditional artist talk.

Next Monday night Cay facilitates this free event featuring MUTED & MIGHTY artists Lillian Heredia & Matthew Brett. Part intentional conversation and part art practice, actively engage with these artists and see how they can bring out or enhance the artist in you.

RSVP via the link in our bio. Doors at 6:30pm & our event begins at 7.

10/27/2023

fig 1. weblike echos [residue] by Sarah Goodermuth

• Approx. 4’ x 10” x 6”
• Plaster, glass beads, stretch magic, residue
• NFS

The beadwork on Sarah’s piece is not to be missed! While you can’t take this work home with you, coming into the gallery and getting close to this work is a must.

Tonight you can see the show by stopping in through Split-Rail (5-10pm) or visit us tomorrow and Sunday during our staffed gallery hours from 1-4pm.

Link in bio to see the exhibition virtually - DM or email with any questions or collection interest.

10/25/2023

membrane by Mikey Mosher

•12" x 22" x 4"
•Collage, wood, found objects, zip ties, acrylic paint, eyelets
• $750

Want to learn more about Mikey’s artistic practice, his process around building these works and how he approaches the world as an artist? Join us tomorrow for his Artist Talk!

Starting at 6pm and led by The Martin’s Gallery Assistant Dennissa Young, come get a peek into Mikey’s brain!

If you’re planning on going to Dorothy for the Freak Society’s Horror Film Fest - you have time to grab a bite at Split-Rail, catch our artist talk & head to the event!

Link in bio to RSVP for the talk.

📸

10/23/2023

👋 from your friendly Curator Whitney to remind you that today is the last day to submit to The Martin’s final 2023 exhibition: PRINTS! PRINTS! PRINTS!

This is our twelfth exhibition of the year (not including the additional four in The Robin) & we’re so thankful for all the submissions, trust, features, collectors and visitors who have joined us this year.

Submit before midnight, end of day today. As always, free to submit. 🙏

10/22/2023

“Bang Bang…” by Allie Ellis

• 27.5” x 27.5”
• Screenprint
• $525

Allie Ellis returns to The Martin in our group exhibition MUTED & MIGHTY with this dynamic screen print, perfectly printed to mimic shattered glass in her multi-step creative process.

This work is available for purchase and is eligible for financing! Financing helps break artwork cost down across three months - spreading payments out and relieving collectors of larger one time purchases.

If you’re interested in collecting DM or email us - or stop by the gallery during staffed gallery hours (most typically Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm) to inquire directly. Virtual exhibition on our website!

10/17/2023

prism by Mikey Mosher

• 10” x 14” x 4”
• Found objects, wood, pegboard, zip ties, plastic lens
• $800

Curious about Mikey’s approach and process to his art and the creation of CONTAINER CONTINUUM? Join us on October 26th for an artist talk with Mikey supported by our Gallery Assistant Dennissa.

Free to RSVP & attend! Doors at 5:30pm & the talk begins at 6pm. Link in bio to RSVP.

Not able to come to the talk but want to see the work? Stop by during Split-Rail’s operational hours or check out our events link on our website for gallery hours.

📸

10/15/2023

PANOPTES (WITNESS) by Lillian Heredia

• 12’ x 4’ x 1’
• Maternity ward sheets, cotton thread, nylon rope, brass grommets
• $1,000

Lillian’s powerful large scale work hangs beautifully in MUTED & MIGHTY - our back room gallery show.

While we don’t have formal gallery hours the next few days, you can see the gallery shows by entering in through Split-Rail next door during their operational hours: until 9pm today & 4-9pm Monday & Tuesday!

Link in bio for our virtual exhibition & DM or email with any collection questions or interest.

10/14/2023

“a seat at the table” by Mikey Mosher

• 14" x 24" x 3.5"
• Found objects, pegboard, paint, cloth, metal grid, enamel spray paint, zip ties
• $800

Thanks for another great opening weekend last night for MUTED & MIGHTY! Both M&M and CONTAINER CONTINUUM get to settle in to the gallery for the next few weeks. We have artist talks coming your way and gallery hours - plenty of chances to see and collect the work.

We don’t have our standard gallery hours this weekend due to the Dock6 showcase but you can stop by and see the gallery today and tomorrow via Split-Rail!

Split-Rail debuted a bunch of new brunch and dinner items this week plus a vintage happy hour - so plan your stop by!

DM or email with collection interest.

📸

10/13/2023

Tonight we open MUTED & MIGHTY and tomorrow you can catch The Martin’s team and many artists who have featured in our gallery at the very epic Dock6 Art & Design 15!

The Martin’s Gallery Assistant Dennissa has curated in a huge group of artists including Whitney LaMora, The Martin’s founder and curator.

You can find Whitney on the 2nd floor in her first 1:1 theatrical immersive experience since 2019 called DIMENSION. Each 15 minute conversation will explore parallel dimensions, relationships, identity and regret.

Throughout the rest of the building tons of artists will be showing including previously featured artists such as: margo Santiago, MaryLu E. Herrera, David Vosburg, Katie Carpenter & Lauren Grudzien.

Attendance is free tomorrow from 2-8pm at 2100 N Major Ave. Link in bio for more information about Whitney’s performance!

10/12/2023

Opening tomorrow night: MUTED & MIGHTY: a group exhibition!

Eight artists come together with their large scale works with muted palettes in our back room gallery. Varying in medium and price point - these works pack a punch in size and quality. A must see!

Featured artists:

Elise Blair Bagnoli
Matthew Brett
Izzie Cho
Allie Ellis
Sarah Goodermuth
Lilian Heredia
Yutian Liu
Sunnie Skiez

Curated by The Martin’s Whitney LaMora - RSVP for free via the link in our bio. 🤍

Address

2500 W Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL
60622

Website

http://themartinchicago.com/

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Tomorrow FOOD LOCUS call will close at the end of the day so consider this your last chance to apply to be a part of a unique exhibition experience! Six visual artists will be anonymously paired with a hospitality expert who will create a dish or beverage inspired by their artwork. All artists come together in August for the reveal of the partners as well as a chance to try all the food and beverage components! Your Curator Whitney LaMora (@whitneycurates) will expertly guide you along the way- having successfully pulled off nine LOCUS shows supporting over 150 artists from around the world. Check out @locusgalleryshow for details and to apply! Please note: some folks have had issues with the Google Form- it is still open for submissions! The internet tells me to suggest trying a different email and / or try in incognito mode. Good luck! ✨

Our Marketplace table submissions for June are open!! We’re hosting four Marketplaces in June and can fit up to eight Makers per Marketplace in our space. Table fees are $50 per Marketplace and include a table, seating for two, social media imagery and a fun afternoon in our space! BIPOC Makers get their first feature for free. June 19th is reserved for all Black Makers - new features or previous features - for free in honor of Juneteenth. Submission form is live in our bio link as well as our Calls for Artists page on our website. See you in June! ✨

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Our Story

The Martin is a flexible performance and event space located in West Town in the WOW district of Chicago, focused on creating collective experiences with growing the artistic community. Founded by Whitney LaMora + Lora Miller.