The Art Museum of Chicago

The art community will miss art critic and historian Nathaniel McLin, who transitioned from this life on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. Nathaniel's most prolific art form proved to be analyzing, supporting, and challenging other artists, and his masterpiece was the radio show he hosted for nearly a quarter-century, "The Art Museum of Chicago", WHPK 88.5 FM.

Nathaniel introduced himself to me in 2005, when he visited my studio during Chicago Artists Month, when I was a featured artist. He interviewed me for his then-current "Critic's Corner" and invited me back to his show in 2008 for a live interview at WHPK.

 

McLin was a supporter of the Phantom Gallery; he helped like-minded artists network and create alternative exhibition spaces not only in Chicago but also internationally. He promoted the Rant-A-Thon in October 2008 at the Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center, where he facilitated the fundraiser by using his singing voice, "AMAZING". 

In 2009, he was our guest curator for Chicago Artists Month, Phantom Gallery Virtual Studio, "POSTproduction", held at the Murphy Hill Gallery. He was to moderate our panel discussion, connecting Chicago to Phantom Gallery LA in Pasadena. Panelists: Fredrick Owens, Gabe Patti, William Hill, Dan Godston, and Everett Williams.

While contemporary media rarely provides a forum for discussion and criticism of any fine arts, Nathaniel McLin, this intellectual giant, was delighted to become an institution the community could count on. He will be dealry missed.

50 Aldermen/50 Artist Group Show Postponed Potluck to Feb 5, 2010

Hello Artists and Aldermen,


Just wanted to give everyone an update on the 50 Aldermen/50 Artist Group Show. First and foremost: We have postponed the potluck/meet-and-greet due to the addition of our newest partner, the Chicago Reader, who will advertise the event to promote the potluck and March 19 show. The potluck will not be on January 15 (this Friday) but on February 5 from 7-9 PM at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee. We hope the change doesn't conflict with your schedules. We do have confirmation from some aldermen who will be attending.

We are also pleased to announce that the League of Women Voters (http://www.lwvchicago.org/) will be the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization receiving 25% of sales generated from the show. League reps will be on hand at both the Feb. 5 and March 19 events. The LWV's mission is to encourage "informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy."

We are still looking for artists and have extended the entry deadline until February 5 as well. If you know anybody else who would like to participate, please forward along the info.

For those artists who have expressed interest but who have not yet submitted registration fees, please let us know if you will be paying by PayPal, check or cash. If you are paying by PayPal, just head to (http://chicagoaldermenproject.blogspot.com/) and click on the Donate button. We will use part of the registration proceeds to secure the gallery space.

Thanks to everyone who has shown interest. We are really excited about this event.

If you have any questions, let us know.

Jeremy Scheuch and Lauri Apple