Union Street Gallery

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Union Street Gallery Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights The artists remained in control of the artistic programming.
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Union Street Gallery was founded in 1995 as a working Arts Incubator and Gallery as part of a small business incubation project, subsidized by the Chicago Southland Economic Development. In 1998, the first Gallery Director resigned and the Studio Artists stepped in and began to develop the artistic programming, recognizing the gallery’s potential to be a resource for artists all over the nation, and an arts resource for Chicago Heights and the region south of Chicago. The scope of the Gallery increased with the addition of national juried arts exhibitions and educational programming such as field trips and classes. In 2004, the Chicago Southland Economic Development lost most of its funding and shut down the project, including Union Street Gallery. The artists realized the importance and positive impact of the gallery on the community and worked together to keep Union Street Gallery functioning. In 2005, Union Street Gallery became a not-for profit 501(c)3 corporation and a standalone visual arts agency incubating 16 artists. Later in 2005, Studio Artists and the Board of Directors secured the building in Chicago Heights with the help of local government officials. The three-story historic landmark building was rehabilitated and retrofitted specifically for use as a gallery and artists’ studio space, opening in 2006 with two floors of gallery space and a third floor of artists studios inhabited by a working artists’ collaborative. Thanks to increased funding, in the summer of 2010 the gallery hosted its first ever curated solo exhibits featuring the art of internationally recognized painter Nina Weiss and local photographer John Spomar. The purpose of these exhibits was to introduce the community to the art of both a well known internationally recognized artist and a well known local artist that the community otherwise may not have ever been exposed to. Left: images of the building during the rehab

Today Union Street Gallery is the premier arts resource for the Chicago southland serving 3000 people per year through diverse art exhibits, classes and workshops, and art outreach projects. There are 16 studio artists, 20 guild artists, and 30 volunteers, all at varying ages and ethnicity.The Gallery continues to grow and establish itself as a sustainable arts and culture resource for the south suburbs.

Call for Art: 'Art that Works'Last Chance to submit is Tomorrow, October 14th, 2026!We spend most of our lives surrounde...
10/13/2026

Call for Art: 'Art that Works'
Last Chance to submit is Tomorrow, October 14th, 2026!

We spend most of our lives surrounded by objects that ask nothing of us but function. A chair holds you up. A lamp gives you light. A mug holds your coffee. We rarely stop to ask what it would mean if those objects were also art.

'Art That Works' is a show built around that question. We're looking for functional art: pieces that do something and are also unmistakably art. Furniture, ceramics, textiles, lighting, wearables, tools, vessels, anything that lives in the world and earns its keep while it does. We want work that refuses the line between "useful" and "beautiful," work that makes you reconsider every object in your house.

This is a show for makers who think with their hands as much as their eyes. If you've ever finished a piece and thought, "this is both a sculpture and a thing I actually use," we want to see it.
Bring us the object that does double duty. Bring us the art that works.

Visit the link below for more information visit our website.

Call for Art!'Art that Works'Extended Deadline: October 14th, 2026We spend most of our lives surrounded by objects that ...
10/08/2026

Call for Art!
'Art that Works'
Extended Deadline: October 14th, 2026

We spend most of our lives surrounded by objects that ask nothing of us but function. A chair holds you up. A lamp gives you light. A mug holds your coffee. We rarely stop to ask what it would mean if those objects were also art.
'Art That Works' is a show built around that question. We're looking for functional art: pieces that do something and are also unmistakably art. Furniture, ceramics, textiles, lighting, wearables, tools, vessels, anything that lives in the world and earns its keep while it does. We want work that refuses the line between "useful" and "beautiful," work that makes you reconsider every object in your house.
This is a show for makers who think with their hands as much as their eyes. If you've ever finished a piece and thought, "this is both a sculpture and a thing I actually use," we want to see it.
Bring us the object that does double duty. Bring us the art that works.

Scan the OR code below or visit the link below for more information:
https://unionstreetgallery.submittable.com/submit/368036/art-that-works-a-union-street-gallery-open-call

10/06/2026

🌹 The Rose Benefit, What a Night!
Art. Music. Community. Giving.

The Rose Benefit brought Union Street Gallery to life with an evening filled with creativity, entertainment, conversation, generosity, and community.

From live music and live art to great food, giveaways, laughter, and people coming together to support the Gallery, the night was a reminder of what can happen when a community rallies around something it believes in.

A huge THANK YOU to our artists, performers, host, contributors, donors, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and everyone who purchased a ticket and joined us. Every contribution whether it was time, talent, resources, services, or financial support helped make the evening possible.
And while the event may be over, the momentum doesn't stop here.

This is what community looks like.
This is what collaboration can create.
And we're just getting started. 🌹

Thank you for supporting Union Street Gallery and helping us continue building a place where art, artists, and community can thrive.
One evening. One community. One great reason to celebrate.

Don’t forget to purchase your ticket!The Rose Benefit: A Fundraiser for Union Street Gallery is a lovely evening and cel...
10/02/2026

Don’t forget to purchase your ticket!
The Rose Benefit: A Fundraiser for Union Street Gallery is a lovely evening and celebration of art, culture, and community, hosted by Union Street Gallery. Join us in “giving our roses” to Union Street. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of beauty, creativity, and connection—where music, visual art, and shared purpose come together in support of the arts.

This event is more than a celebration—it is a meaningful investment in the future of the arts. Proceeds from The Rose Benefit directly support Union Street Gallery’s exhibitions, educational programming, and community outreach initiatives, ensuring continued access to creative opportunities for artists and the surrounding community.

Tickets - $45

Visit the link below for more information:

https://unionstreet.squarespace.com/config/

Last chance to see ‘Celebrating Community 2026’!

In addition to the Rose Benefit ‘Celebrating Community 2026’ will be closing that same day! If you have yet to see the show attending the Rose Benefit would be the last chance to see it!

'Celebrating Community 2026' is a showcase of Union Street Gallery's Studio and Guild Artists.

It's a curated selection of works that represent our artists' most compelling and instinctive creations while embracing 30 years of Union Street Gallery's commitment to artistic community. You'll find that this collection of works highlights the diverse talent and inspirations of each artist, allowing visitors to experience a varied array of work including painting, pastel, fiber arts, photography, and more.

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 Union Street Gallery will be closing at 2pm to the public for The Rose Benefit

USG studio artist Danielle Leveston continues to evolve in art and business.From the most poppin paint and sips to being...
10/02/2026

USG studio artist Danielle Leveston continues to evolve in art and business.

From the most poppin paint and sips to being the catalyst for thinking bigger and better at Union Street Gallery. Check out Paintin & Poppin Traveling Paint Parties for what’s next.

And we all thank you for your vision of giving Union Street Gallery its flowers at the The Rose Benefit: A Fundraiser for Union Street Gallery

Union Street Gallery is congratulating our very own Board of Directors President Danielle Leveston for her featured article in the Daily Southtown newspaper, as well as in the Chicago Tribune's business section!! Leveston's business, Paintin & Poppin Traveling Paint Parties, was highlighted, as well as her studio, which is located in Union Street Gallery's Studio L. You can find the column on the front page of the Tuesday, September 16th edition of the Daily Southtown, and in the business section of the Wednesday, September 17th edition of the Chicago Tribune.

If you have access to the Chicago Tribune online, you can read the article through this link: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/15/knowles-lansing-artist-paint-parties/

Congratulations!!

10/01/2026

🎨 Introducing Canvas Conversations

Every work of art begins with a story, an idea, an experience or sometimes simply the desire to create.

Canvas Conversations takes us beyond the finished work and introduces us to the artists who bring creativity to life at Union Street Gallery.

In our first conversation, we meet Susan Johnson, Head Guild Artist at Union Street Gallery, during the reception for Celebrating Community 2026.

Hear Susan talk about her work, her creative process, and the inspiration behind what she creates.

Celebrating Community 2026 showcases works from Union Street Gallery's Studio and Guild Artists as we celebrate 30 years of artistic community. The exhibition is on display through October 3, 2026.

🎥 Canvas Conversations — Episode 01: Susan Johnson
Produced by Larry Streeter | KSBlissMedia
✨ More artists. More stories. More conversations to come.

Shout out to Tall Grass Arts Association we are grateful for your support!
09/30/2026

Shout out to Tall Grass Arts Association we are grateful for your support!

What are you doing on Saturday? We have 2 ideas for you! I would suggest coming to our opening reception for "Mented". Printmaking reimagined is a breath of fresh air and fun! We hope that you join us. This Saturday 12pm-2pm. And after..... Why not make it an art day! Attend the Union Street Gallery "The Rose Benefit"! We are an art community and support is our mission. https://www.unionstreetgallery.org/therosebenefit

Be sure to catch Eileen Lacy at the Chicago art fair held at at The Merchandise Mart in Down Town Chicago. Stop by booth...
09/28/2026

Be sure to catch Eileen Lacy at the Chicago art fair held at at The Merchandise Mart in Down Town Chicago. Stop by booth 3088 and say hi to a USG native!

💬 When was the last time someone else's creativity inspired you?✨ Keep creating. We'll see you next Monday.
09/28/2026

💬 When was the last time someone else's creativity inspired you?
✨ Keep creating. We'll see you next Monday.

Address

1527 Otto Boulevard
Chicago Heights, IL
60411

Opening Hours

Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+17087542601

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