Underground Arthouse

10/21/2025

This Sat, we're gettin Halloweird at the Underground Arthouse. Come through for a wicked good time. . 21+. Best costume wins $200. BYOB encouraged.

Tickets & RSVP: asksomebody.fyi/tics

If you're a member of the Freakeasy (which is foregoing their usual Halloween party this year to better prepare for Love Burn), about a password to get in the Alley Door (red button on the ticketing page).

09/30/2025

09/27/2025

The Underground Arthouse is looking to commission a portrait of the late, great Ron Carroll for our Hall of Legends. ✨️ Ideally, we'd like to hire an artist who not only admired Ron, but knew him personally. If that sounds like you or someone you know, drop us a line, please. 🙏

09/20/2025

TODAY. 4pm to 10pm. Watch the BATTLE BRIGADE.

09/14/2025

The All Stars Art Battle goes down on Sat, Sept 20th, 4pm to 10pm, at the Underground Arthouse in Irving Park. It's gonna be an historic event! . If you don't have to miss it, don't.

To get tickets, RSVP as a member, or get in through the "alley door" with a password, go to: https://asksomebody.fyi/tics.

05/21/2024

Dear friends: Squeak Starzula is missing her wallet (pictured here), last seen at the UAGC fashion show on Sat night, and we're determined to bring it home to her! Several people saw it in the model dressing room before 10pm, but here's the thing: sometime around midnight, someone reported finding a wallet with an ID for [Squeak's dead name] and was asked to turn it in to security. Our security team did not, however, receive a wallet, and it remains missing, even after several searches of the house. But it's out there somewhere, isn't it? It has to be. And, if we come together as the community of badass creatives and loving souls that we are, we can bring it home.

So, in the spirit of making that happen, we are offering a $100 reward for the safe return of Squeak's wallet (must include her licenses and credit cards). No questions asked. If you have any information on its current whereabouts, please contact Maggie Ledbetter or Squeak. Thanks!

04/06/2023

We are so excited to be able to support (UAGC founding member) Kăi Hundred and promote the release concert for their debut album, "(A love letter) to my self-ish". You won't want to miss this!

Kăi Album Release Party: To My Self-ish
Sunday, April 16 · 7:30 - 9pm CDT
Get your tickets now:

This is the release concert for their debut album "(A love letter) to my self-ish" written and released by Kăi Hundred.

12/10/2022

The Underground Art Gallery Chicago is excited to announce the premier of DRAWCEMBER! 🎉 It’s similar to Inktober, except it happens in December, the theme is more merry than spooky, and the drawings aren’t limited to ink.
To be clear, Drawcember is envisioned as a creative practice, or cultural meme, not a competition. Still, in the spirit of encouraging people to dive in and make art, the UAGC is pleased to welcome this newly-minted tradition with our Drawcember Challenge, a drawing competition offering cash prizes to three winning artists!
To enter, artists must submit a minimum of three (and no more than 31) drawings produced between December 1st, 2022, and January 7th, 2023. All submissions must be emailed to [email protected] on or before Monday, January 10th, and be labeled with the subject “Drawcember.”
Submissions can be drawings of any kind, including digital illustrations. They can be done in graphite, colored pencil, marker, crayon, or any other drawing medium. Watercolor is allowed, but acrylic, spray paint, oil paint, collage, and photographic techniques are not permitted. AI-generated art is not eligible.
Ultimately, all entries will be judged on the artist’s top 3 submissions, as determined by a panel of judges. Prizes will be as follows:
1st place: $600
2nd place: $300
3rd place: $150
Additionally, one lucky entrant will be selected at random to receive a $100 gift card to Blick, just as a thank you for participating. After all, it is not the competition that makes these challenges fun, but the communal activity of sharing and celebrating art, taking time to appreciate the creativity of others. Every individual who partakes in this challenge enriches the endeavor. 🙏
Submissions must be the solo work of the artist submitting them. Artists are not required to follow the prompts provided, and no preference will be given to artists who use them.
Winners will be chosen by a panel of 5 judges and announced in early February, 2023.
You can find a downloadable statement of the official rules in the comments below (attached as a JPEG). If you have questions, ask them here or send an email to [email protected].
We can't wait to see what you all draw, doodle, design, and dream up in the coming month! 💫
Tag your artist friends... and stay tuned to see the winning entries!