Blanc Gallery

Home
United States
Chicago, IL
Blanc Gallery

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

A Culture of Conversation In its heyday, Bronzeville was home to the cream of Chicago’s African American society. Now Mr.

In the forefront of the neighborhood’s many cultural institutions, artists, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs engaged in a robust dialogue on matters of importance to the community. Recent years have seen a powerful resurgence of this creative energy, with art galleries, restaurants, schools, theaters and event facilities providing vital new public forums. Cliff Rome, proprietor of Bronzeville’s Parkway Ballroom, is committed to rekindling this Culture of Conversation. Thousands have gathered at the Parkway for art exhibits, fashion events, literary readings, dance competitions, and film premieres. Rome introduces Blanc, a fine art gallery, to Bronzeville. Blanc’s bold mission is to engage African Americans and all Chicagoans through the arts and to ignite dialogue on issues of spiritual, political and social significance. Four times a year Blanc showcases one artist in an exploration of a compelling theme. The gallery also fosters a wide-reaching exchange of ideas through its multi-faceted approach:

· “Speak Easy”: Hosting diverse events for the public—openings, artist talks, panel discussions.

· “Do Well/Do Good”: Sponsoring events for non-profit agencies whose work intersects with the concerns of the artists. Each cycle, Blanc identifies two local non-profits and highlights their missions, helping them to raise awareness and funding.

· “Do Right/Do Good”: Recruiting corporate sponsors for each cycle. This gives emerging artists access to the sometimes-impenetrable world of commerce, and business people an opportunity to support the arts along with the work of the not-for-profit community.

· Private Rental: Blanc is also available for rental by the public; the art on its walls creates a vibrant and engaging ambience for any private event. Blanc: a center for ideas and a meeting place for people…a Culture of Conversation

10/02/2026

Tomorrow we're open from 11-3pm. If you haven't been by yet, come and see our current exhibition, 100 Years of Genius: a centennial celebration of Oscar Brown, Jr.

And on Sunday, come and join us for the conclusion of Afrofuturist Weekend 11, from 3pm. It will will feature music from our favorite bsa.gold as well as Autophysiopsychic's "White Flowers," presented in collaboration with Elastic Arts Africlassical Futures series.

Tickets for that can be found via Afrofuturistweekend

-----------------------------------

About 100 Years of Genius

In 2026 Chicago celebrates the 100th birthday of Oscar Brown, Jr., a man who redefined what it means to be free, Black, and unapologetically human.

We are honored to host this exhibition in collaboration with OBJr’s daughter's, Africa and Maggie Brown, and Curator Dorian Sylvain, celebrating the life and work of this playwright, composer, poet, musician, and activist. This exhibit reveals that Oscar Brown, Jr. didn’t just make art—he made impact. Long before “edutainment” was a buzzword, he turned street cries, jazz riffs, and community struggle into radical truth-telling art.

More than an art show, this is a living archive of a revolutionary voice that shaped culture, music, and consciousness.

09/29/2026

We're excited to announce the continuation of our celebration of 100 years of Oscar Brown Jr:

Join us on Wednesday evening at 6pm for a Table Read of Black Stars, a musical drama set in Hollywood during the early 1960s.

Written by Oscar Brown, Jr and his wife and show business partner, Jean Pace Brown, the story centers on the experiences of two black actors navigating the complex and often discriminatory landscape of the film industry.

Wednesday, September 30
Blanc Gallery,
4445 S MLK Dr
Chicago
6-8pm

Synopsis

Herb Hardin, a talented newcomer, dreams of becoming "The 1st Big Negro Matinee Idol." He is mentored by Leo Collazo, a seasoned character actor and director. Together, they believe a promising movie role will catapult Herb to stardom. However, their hopes are dashed when Herb's significant scenes are cut from the final film. This betrayal leads to a series of tragic events.

Herb, in a moment of misguided trust and desperation, gives Leo a hallucinogenic drug, causing Leo to fall from his balcony and severely injure his wrists. Leo, feeling betrayed, refuses to associate with Herb. Overwhelmed with guilt and despair, Herb's mental state deteriorates. He steals a car, is jailed in Beverly Hills, and ultimately takes his own life. The musical explores the harsh realities of Hollywood, the pressures of ambition, racial barriers, and the devastating consequences of broken dreams, all within the backdrop of a city high on "mind blown militancy, ma*****na and L*D."

This event is free for all.
Please turn up early, as we will be starting promptly at 6pm.

09/23/2026

A reminder that tonight - Wednesday, September 23rd - we have an incredible artist talk lined up that will be facilitated by poet, educator, activist and radio show host, Mario Smith who will be talking with Oscar Brown Jr's daughter's, Maggie and Africa Brown, about OBJR's varied and powerful legacy.

Mario knew Brown Jr, so this will be an intergenerational dialogue unpacking and revealing the many threads of his practice and how it has left traces and reverberations both near and far.

If you've never heard of OBJr and want to know more about his work, this is a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into who he was. If you do know of him and his work, this is a chance to become further acquainted with a practice that has too many threads to be woven into a single narrative.

The talk is free and available to all. We'll see you at 6pm!

09/18/2026

Join us this Sunday, September 20, from 2–5pm, for the opening of an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Oscar Brown, Jr. - Playwright, composer, poet, musician & activist.

Organised in collaboration with the Brown family and curated by artist Dorian Sylvain, this exhibition revaals that OBJr didn't just make art; ge made impact. Long before “edutainment” was a buzzword, he turned street cries, jazz riffs, and community struggle into radical truth-telling art., from

In 2026 Chicago celebrates the 100th birthday of Oscar Brown, Jr., a man who redefined what it means to be free, Black, and unapologetically human and we are delighted to be a part of these centennial celebrations, which have been organised to span out across the city in different and connected ways.

We also encourage you to come back to the gallery on Wednesday September 23rd from 6-8pm for a special moment bringing together Oscar Brown Jr's daughters, Maggie + Africa Brown, in conversation with Mario Smith, who is familiar with their father and his work.

Both the opening and the artist talk are free.

We look forward to seeing you there.

09/12/2026

A reminder about tomorrow session with REIKI FOR ALL COLLECTIVE.

Join us from 12-3pm for the closing event of This could be//The Permanent Rebellion.

Limited spaces. Get your free tickets at the link in our bio.

Our communities deserve to REST, RESET AND RECHARGE.

09/09/2026

This Saturday we transform the space into a place for healing and embodied wisdom. We can't wait to welcome you into the space and see you blessed with these special offerings. There are only 30 spots for this free activation, so make sure to RSVP for your spot at the link in our bio:

Reiki For All (RFA) Collective will transmute the fiery energy of This could be//The Permanent Rebellion exhibition into the grounded wisdom of the Sage by cultivating a sanctuary for artists and guests.

Rooted in the foundational Reiki & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles of internal alchemy, we aim to harmonize the body’s Yin and Yang, restoring balance where trauma has caused disruption.

By gathering in community, we hold space to release stagnant, excess energy and nourish depleted vital essences called Qi through the intentional activation of the Five Elements — Air, Fire, Water, Earth, & Ether.

RFA will use the deep elemental alchemy of the “Sweatlodge” (install a dome structure on patio) for the purifying fire of Smudging, bring softening and release to the body with Ear Seed acupressure, and support the natural fl ow of healing with an indoor Sound Bathing activation.

Saturday, 12 September 12-3pm

08/26/2026

This Saturday come and join curator Imani Harmon for a day of study and reflection on This could be//The Permanent Rebellion.

12-1pm - Curatorial Talk
1.30 - 2.30pm - Text Viewing and Reading

We look forward to having you in the space.

See you on Saturday

08/20/2026

We're open this Saturday and Sunday from 11-3pm

Come through and see This could be // The Permanent Rebellion

08/14/2026

We're open this weekend from 11-3pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Come and see us and check out This could be // The Permanent Rebellion, featuring the work of 13 graduating seniors and grad students from SAIC, as well as self taught and local Chicago-based artists.

The exhibition explores past, present and possibility in Black contemporary art's reflections of Black political consciousness and subjectivity.

Curated by Imani Harmon and featuring:

Messejah Washington
Isabel Padilla Bonelli
Sevyn De La Cruz
Adilah Muhammad
Danielle Levi
Shelby/Shelbs
Tafari Melisizwe
Nia Wilson
Marc A. V. Bates
Cheyenne Tobias-Bamson
Annikah Idovia
Dionne Clemons

Documentation by:

07/29/2026

Blanc is excited to announce our next exhibition, This could be//The Permanent Rebellion, curated by Imani Harmon.

Featuring the work of 12 Black graduating seniors and graduate students from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), this exhibition explores past, present and possibility in Black contemporary art’s reflections of Black political consciousness and subjectivity. Composed of artists from across the African diaspora and geographical locations within US; this show is concerned with conceptions of Blackness shaped by American national memory and how temporal concerns of political upheaval raise questions of how Blackness is to be narrativized and galvanized. The art objects are a visual and thematic fulcrum that explore the contradictions, ruptures and impasses of Blackness; alongside desires to demystify, place-make, and reclaim through counternarratives of popular intra- and inter-communal conceptions of Blackness.

It will open on August 7th from 6-9pm and a full list of activations will be announced in the next week.

About the Curator:

Born in Norfolk, VA and raised in Chula Vista, CA, Imani Harmon is a curator, writer and conceptual artist based in Chicago, IL. Through institutional critique, collage and new media her work meets at the nexus of decolonial Marxist critical theory, cultural and national memory, and the Black left in art and culture. Through her curatorial and artistic practice, she centers contemporary Black scholars and artists to interrogate the political economy of Blackness. She holds a BA in Political Science from Howard University and is currently pursuing her MA in Visual and Critical Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Featured Artists:

Messejah Washington
Isabel Padilla Bonelli
Sevyn De La Cruz
Adilah Muhammed
Danielle Levi
Shelby/Shelbs
Tafari Melisizwe
Nia Wilson
Marc A. V. Bates
Cheyenne Tobias-Bamson
Annikah Idiova
Dionne Clemons

Address

4445 S King Drive
Chicago, IL
60653

Opening Hours

1pm - 3pm

Telephone

+17733734320

Website

http://www.blancchicago.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Blanc Gallery posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Blanc Gallery:

Want your museum to be the top-listed museum in Chicago?