Chicagos History Of Queer Art, Activism Gets Explored And Celebrated With New MCA Exhibit

"City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago" runs through May 26 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, celebrating the city's LGBTQ+ community. The exhibit features over 30 artists and collectives, focusing on how art has historically served as a form of activism, particularly during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. Assistant Curator Jack Schneider remarked on the need to address the gap in scholarship regarding Chicago's queer art scene, which has been eclipsed by narratives from New York City and San Francisco. The exhibit includes various media, from photographs to sculptures, and features archival materials that reflect local activism. Key sections of the exhibit recreate significant queer spaces and themes, such as the "Garden," "Club," "Street," "Cinema," and "Utopia.

" A special event will commence on Friday at 7 p. m. , hosted by drag performers, further engaging the community in the celebration. Schneider hopes the exhibit will instill pride in attendees and underscore the importance of Chicago in LGBTQ+ history. The project aims to represent the diverse voices and experiences within the city's queer community.