SoNa Chicago Upcoming Events

Artist Talk: Alan Emerson Hicks, Sat., July 5

| Three More Weekends to see Better World

Dear Friends,

Join us for an artist talk by Alan Emerson Hicks. The talk will be moderated by the wonderful Molly O’Donnell!

The talk will be Saturday, July 5 from 2-3 pm. The gallery will be open that day from 12-4 pm. Refreshments will be served!

The gallery also will be open on Friday, July 4 from 5-7 pm, and it will be First Fridays in Wicker Park Bucktown, so you can see art in more galleries that evening too.

There are only three more weekends left of the current exhibition, Better World. Our regular hours are Fridays from 5-7 pm, Saturdays, 12-4 pm, and by appointment by calling Laura at 773.513.4436.

The gallery will be open THIS WEEKEND, Fri., June 27 and Sat., June 28.

Alan transforms found materials into sculptures, collages, and fashion that challenge conventional ideas of value. His work elevates the ephemeral into something lasting, meaningful, and profound and invites us to consider deeper questions about the ecological impact of our choices.

The gallery is located at 1527 N. Ashland Ave.

See you at the gallery!

Laura

Better World: exhibition description

SoNa Chicago is proud to host the exhibition, Better World, featuring the artwork of Alan Emerson Hicks. See the show description here. The show title references a 1970s commercial produced by the Plastics Council of America that promised a brighter future through plastics. Alan’s work responds to this false optimism, reflecting on the environmental and cultural consequences of single-use plastic production in contemporary American society.

Image: Natural Selection, found objects, stickers, and paint on board by Alan Emerson Hicks

Trashion Fashion

We had a wonderful opening on June 6 with live models wearing the amazing dresses made of brown plastic grocery bags and chips bags, respectively. Live models delighted visitors by coming out to the street and modeling the dresses. Thank you to Kendall Nicole who modeled “Snack Prairie Maiden” and Shyla Bartee who modeled “Chipped Dress.”

Image: SoNa Chicago Contemporary Art, 2025.

SoNa Gallery Annex

The gallery annex features a selection of artwork by gallery artists. Recently added are selected works of Pinar Aral and Mirentxu Ganzarain. See also works by Kermit Berg, Sharon Bladholm, Monica J. Brown, Alan Emerson Hicks, Loralyn Kumlin, Laleh Motlagh, Tom Robinson, Nicholas Sistler, and Paul Somers. Selected artwork also is available on our Purchase site.

Image: Sculpture by Mirentxu Ganzarain, black porcelain, Lake Dreams, 7-1/2” H x 6” W x 6” D, inspired by Lake Michigan views near Lakeside Inn, Michigan, 2025

Spectacular Opening

Another view from the wonderful opening of Better World.

Next Exhibition at SoNa Chicago

Industry of the Ordinary: Summer Residency Exhibition, Sep. 6 - 27, 2025
Opening Reception: Sat. Sep. 6, 5-8 pm
Artists Walkthrough: Sat., Sep. 13, 5-7 pm

Hours: Fridays 5-7 pm, Saturdays 12-4 pm, and by appointment; call 773.513.4436