On April 24, EXPO CHICAGO announced the official list of leading international dealers chosen by selection committee that will exhibit September 20-23, 2012 in Festival Hall at Navy Pier. Produced by Art Expositions, LLC under the leadership of President and Director Tony Karman, the new fair debuts with an impressive list of galleries. Read the complete list of 2012 exhibiting galleries here.

The announcement, which took place in the Pump Room at The Public, also included a speech from Tony Karman, with words from EXPO CHICAGO partners and Chicago icons such as Jeanne Gang and Rhona Hoffman.

EXPO CHICAGO offers diverse programming and special events. Program highlights include:

EXPOSURE
Designed to be an important component of the fair, EXPOSURE affords up to twenty younger galleries that have been in business five years or less the opportunity to participate in a major international art fair. A special presentation of one or two artists by each of the participating galleries provides critical exposure for their programs, offering an important opportunity for curators, collectors and art enthusiasts to survey the best in innovative and emerging work. The booths are 200 square feet and have a reduced rate.

IN/SITU
Another key element of the exposition’s innovative artistic programming is IN/SITU which provides the opportunity for exhibitors to showcase large-scale installations, site-specific and performative works by select international artists. Situated throughout EXPO CHICAGO’s expansive floor, IN/SITU will provide a dynamic itinerary that connects various points of interest throughout EXPO CHICAGO. IN/SITU will be guided by writer and independent curator Michael Ned Holte.

/DIALOGUES
Presented in partnership with The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), /DIALOGUES is a year-round program of symposia, panel discussions, and provocative artistic discourse. The series will culminate with informative and thought-provoking daily events during the fair, highlighting the field’s leading artists, architects, curators, designers and arts professionals and the current issues that engage them.

VIP PROGRAM
EXPO CHICAGO will offer an exclusive VIP Program that will include access to invitation-only events and tours organized by top curators as well as direct access to special guests.  Many important Chicago area art organizations and business leaders have joined with EXPO CHICAGO to offer related programming that will augment the fair both on the exhibition floor, in other areas of Navy Pier and throughout the city.  VIP Patron Program details will be announced at a future date.

VERNISSAGE
EXPO CHICAGO will team with the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago to launch the fair with the return of Vernissage, an exclusive opening night preview celebration co-chaired by Marilyn Fields and Jennifer Aubrey. For many years Vernissage was the highlight of the city’s social and cultural calendar and is set for Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012. The event will offer first viewing of the fair, as well as the opportunity to meet members of the international art and design communities. The event will offer a first view of the fair with all proceeds benefitting the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

In addition, EXPO CHICAGO will feature programming by more than 40 partner institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Renaissance Society, the Smart Museum of Art, Hyde Park Art Center, threewalls, International Sculpture Center, Aperture, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Chicago Children’s Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art and ArtTable. For a complete list of partners to date, see the partner document in the press kit or on the newly designed www.expochicago.com.

Studio Gang Architects, led by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang, is designing the interior environment of EXPO CHICAGO. Gang will take full advantage of Festival Hall’s expansive space and ceiling height creating a show floor that keeps both the exhibitor and visitor in mind. The floor plan provides an easy to navigate layout and design-forward areas of respite for all attendees, while Navy Pier’s unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago provide the perfect backdrop.

Artspace.com, an official partner with EXPO CHICAGO, provides an online platform for guests to plan their visits, purchase tickets and access educational programming. Those not able to visit the fair can also preview and purchase artwork from participating exhibitors.

Art Expositions, LLC presents the inaugural EXPO CHICAGO at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall at 600 E. Grand Avenue, Sept. 20 – 23, 2012. This four-day art event features 100 leading international galleries and offers a curated blend of contemporary/modern art and design. The complete EXPO CHICAGO schedule is as follows:

Vernissage
Wednesday, Sept. 19
At Festival Hall on Navy Pier, benefitting the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

EXPO CHICAGO/2012
General Admission:
Thursday, Sept. 20 – Sunday, Sept. 23
Thursday, Sept. 20, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 23, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Follow EXPO CHICAGO on Twitter and Facebook for updates. For more information visit expochicago.com.