HYDE PARK, CHICAGO — One of the Midwest’s oldest juried art festivals, the 57th Street Art Fair, returned this weekend to Hyde Park for its 78th annual edition, bringing with it a vibrant display of creativity, community, and culture.
More than 160 artists gathered along 57th Street between South Kenwood and Woodlawn Avenues — and down South Kimbark Avenue — to showcase a wide array of works including glass, jewelry, leather, photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, wood, and fiber art.
Spotlight on Local Artists
While the fair has drawn artists from around the country, the heart of the event remains firmly local. Thirty participating artists hailed from across Illinois, with many representing Chicago’s South Side.
Oscar Matos Linares, a fine art photographer from Woodlawn and the designer behind this year’s official art fair poster, shared how the fair changes the narrative about the South Side:
“They don’t see the beauty of the South Side, and one of the things I think this show does is change that,” Linares said.
Photos taken through a microscope of crystallized Malört, paintings of Chicago’s Loop, and metallic animal sculptures were just a few of the visual treats awaiting festivalgoers.
From Humble Beginnings to Historic Fixture
The fair traces its roots back to 1948, when artist Mary Louise Womer — then a Hyde Park local — began stringing up her and her fellow artists’ works between fence posts and trees. Many of those early exhibitors were students from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Institute of Design downtown.
Since then, the event has grown to become a fixture of Chicago’s summer cultural calendar.
Lee Tomlinson, a 40-year Hyde Park resident and organizing committee member for 25 years, emphasized the importance of in-person experiences:
“Internet shopping is impersonal… [The fair] gives you access to the artists. Even the best stereo system in the world still has you looking at a wall,” he said.
Art, Music, Food — and Community
Attendees wandered through vendors’ tents, food trucks, and an entertainment area for children. A nearby stage featured local blues musicians, amplifying the neighborhood’s artistic energy.
Among the artists was Amy Landsberg, a mixed media sculptor who uses driftwood and recycled materials from Lake Superior to craft her work. Her eco-conscious approach resonated with attendees looking for meaningful, sustainable pieces.
Sara Bigger, a 60-year-old University of Chicago staff member, has attended the fair for over a third of her life. This year, she purchased handcrafted earrings for a friend’s birthday and reminisced about a beloved art piece she bought in 2006 that still hangs in her home:
“I don’t want [my home] to look like anyone’s Airbnb. I want it to look like my home.”
She added:
“I love that I don’t have to leave my community to go to a high-quality art fair.”
Sunday Festivities Continue
Despite lingering unhealthy air quality from Canadian wildfires, the two-day event continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with more live music, art, and culinary offerings on tap.
Admission is free, and event details are available at 57thstreetartfair.org.
What do you love most about the 57th Street Art Fair?
Have a favorite artist, food truck, or piece of art you’ve bought over the years? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know how the fair connects with your Chicago neighborhood spirit.
