Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists

09/02/2026

Congratulations to CAVA Mmeber Artist JEANNE GARRETT on her solo exhibition The Charcoal Forest at the Beloit Art Center opening Friday, September 4, 5-7pm. Jeanne is a Midwest-based photographer who took an unconventional path to her craft. After studying photography at Barat College and building a corporate career in communications, she returned to the medium and has since dedicated herself to personal photographic projects. Her work has earned numerous awards and her deep concern for the environment now shapes much of her artistic focus.

THE CHARCOAL FOREST features silk murals and photographic imagery depicting the aftermath of prescribed burns and natural wildfires. On view September 4-24.

08/31/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to CAVA Member Artist Frank Fitzgerald (also known as "Mr. Fitzy" to his elementary school art students) who recently had his first children's book published!

"Roar Turns On the Moon, The True Story of My Pet Dinosaur : A Night in Chicagoland" is an imaginative color-packed story accompanied by 15 of Frank's own whimsical, original paintings that help tell the story Frank has been sharing with his students for 30 years.

The story features not only the dinosaur Roar, but also a talking moon, a magic lamp, a bunny family, dragons, and many important Chicago landmarks!

For more information, visit: https://www.frankfitzgerald.com/book
Congratulations, Frank!

08/31/2026

Meet NEW MEMBER ARTIST, JIM SIGNORELLI
Jim Signorelli is a Chicago-area fine-art photographer specializing in black-and-white architectural photography.

Before devoting himself to fine-art photography, Jim spent more than 40 years at major advertising agencies in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles—including 16 years as CEO of Ebel, Signorelli, Welke. That experience taught him to look beyond what something is and search for the story it has to tell.

For Jim, architecture tells a story. A sweeping curve can suggest movement, repeating forms can create rhythm, and converging lines can pull the eye toward a destination. Light and shadow add mood, revealing strength, elegance, tension or mystery. By working primarily in black and white, he removes distractions and emphasizes the lines, forms and contrasts that give a structure its character. Although much of his work features Chicago, his purpose is not simply to document buildings, but to interpret them.

His work is created for homes, offices and hospitality spaces—and for anyone who appreciates the quiet drama of architecture seen from a different point of view.

Welcome to CAVA, Jim!
To learn more, visit: https://www.jimsignorelli.com/

08/30/2026

Check out this CAVA video about Member Artist Jay Thompson! Learn about his subject matter, process, and sources of inspiration including his "Strange Neighbors" series of mysterious houses. You can see the video using the link below or visit the HOME page on our website at wearecava.org
https://vimeo.com/1194747811/d4baa09689?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
You can follow Jay on Instagram:

A Self-taught Artist and Member of The Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists (www.WeAreCava.org)

08/29/2026

Click on this link https://www.vibrantcast.com/venues/402 to see all 93 pieces in the on-line gallery of CAVA's current LATER IMPRESSIONS Exhibition! Nearly all of the art in this exhibition is available for purchase -- click on the image you are interested in for more details. If you like a piece of art from this show, it can be yours to live with and enjoy for years and years!

08/29/2026

Congratulations to the following CAVA Member Artists who were juried into the recent Mixed Art Exhibition at The Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake IL for the 4th Fridays Art Event --- and especially to those who received awards -- Michael Litewski (Best In Show), John Kirkpatrick (Honorable Mention), Kendra Kett, Julie Turner, Michelle O'Connor, Rudy DeRam (Honorable Mention AND People's Choice), and Dave Alton (Juror's Team Choice).

08/27/2026

Make your plan to visit The Art Center Highland Park to see Later Impressions! -- CAVA's signature juried show of the year! This show presents 93 pieces of top-tier fine art in a variety of mediums created by CAVA members and is beautifully curated across the first floor of the art center. All of the art is available for pucrhase so if you see a piece that you really love and resonate with, it could be YOURS!! Purchases at the art center can be made at the front des near the gift shop. Bring some friends and then have lunch or dinner nearby! Here are some pieces from this amazing show!!
1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park IL
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM

08/26/2026

Did you get CAVA's newsletter sent out today? Here is a link: https://mailchi.mp/wearecava.org/artist-opportunities-for-spring-16565341 If you're not a subscriber yet, click the link and then go to "SUBSCRIBE" in the top left corner to sign up. Don't miss out on all of CAVA's updates, reminders, announcements, and CALLS-FOR-ENTRY -- subscribe now! (The photo below shows today's newsletter header.)

08/25/2026

CAVA's End-of-Year Exhibition Call-For-Entries is now live! This year our End-of-Year Exhibition will be presented November 16, 2026–January 1, 2027 in Bridgeport Art Center's 3rd Floor Gallery located at 1200 West 35th Street in Chicago.

DEADLINE to apply: October 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

Reception & Award Ceremony: Friday, November 20, 6-9pm
3rd Friday Reception: Friday, December 18, 6-9pm
Concurrent event dates & times TBA: Artist Talks, Salon Critique

All CAVA artist members are invited to apply via our VibrantCast call for entry.

Awards:
Best in Show - $500
3 Awards of Excellence - $250
6 Honorable Mentions - $50

Jurors: Kaitlyn Miller, Gallery Director, Jackson Jung Gallery and Dr. Yaounde Olu, artist, musician, publisher, founder of the Osun Center for the Arts in Chicago.

Non-members are invited to submit their art for consideration but must also register as a new member.

CLICK HERE for all the submisson details and requirements:
https://www.vibrantcast.com/submissions/203