Rudy Hetzer, Unlayering, mixed media on canvas, 48 x 48 in. 

Whereas the Chicago Art Fair is a gallery-only showcase of museum-level artwork, Spectrum Chicago is a platform for emerging artists, independent creators, studios and art collectives to present their fresh perspectives in contemporary art to curious collectors interested in artists on the cusp of discovery.

Spectrum Chicago is modeled after its successful Florida counterpart, Spectrum Miami.

“Spectrum Chicago showcases emerging artists through solo presentations designed to engage new and next-generation collectors,” says Eric Smith, founder and president of Redwood Art Group. “In the coming years, we plan to expand the programming and add complementary events, building toward an even more robust offering.”

Micha Kuechenhoff and Grant Rosen, I’M NORMAL, mixed media, limited edition print, 60 x 42 in.  

Spread over 30,000 square feet of exhibition space, the inaugural Spectrum Chicago will feature 72 solo presentations from independent artists, offering attendees the opportunity to engage with a wide range of artists directly, hear their stories and learn about their work.

Richard Riverin, Orange and Green Foliage, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 30 in.

Attendees will find contemporary pieces by artists like Rudy Hetzer, a Dallas-based painter known for his bold, highly textured portraiture that explores the complexities of the human experience. Also on offer are nature-inspired works by Ohio multimedia artist Gina Wolfrum, which incorporate a variety of paints and materials, including gold and copper leaf, crushed glass and mica to add shimmer and sparkle. Canadian artist Richard Riverin will be presenting his modern impressionistic landscapes like Orange and Green Foliage. “My technique is unique; no artist has ever painted the way I do,” says the artist. “Each painting is different, yet my signature is recognizable in all of them. Collectors appreciate the spontaneity, the thick texture, the diversity and the harmony of the colors. Each painting offers a comforting and engaging presence to those who live with them every day. Other highlights include limited edition prints like I’M NORMAL by Artnwordz founders Micha Kuechenhoff and Grant Rosen, whose work is a blend of Pop Art, graffiti/street art with a contemporary twist.

Gina Wolfrum, Beneath the Evening Glow (Gemstone Series), mixed media, 48 x 48 in. 

“Chicago has always been a city that embraces creativity, architecture, design and innovation,” says Smith. “Spectrum Chicago was created to celebrate the artists shaping the future of contemporary art while giving collectors an opportunity to discover extraordinary work in a vibrant and welcoming environment. It’s where Chicago discovers what’s next in art.”