Stephanie Burke (MFA 2009) writes Bad at Sports

1. This is Not for Sale at Parking Space

Anyone who’s event description sounds like a ranting manifesto has my vote. This is a one night only even, so don’t drag your damn feet or you’re gonna miss it. Parking Space is, and I quote, "is a collaborative project initiated by artists Andrew J. Greene, E.J. Hill and Matthew Schaffer.” This Is Not For Sale features the work of Karen Bovinich, Austin Eddy, Nick Fraccaro, Danny Greene, Xavier Jimenez, Alexa Loftus, Nina Mayer, Dorian McKaie, Annie Purpura, Kristen VanDeventer, and Tannar Veatch.

Parking Space is located at 2246 W. 19th St. Reception is Friday from 6-10pm.

2. Surrender Dorothy at Concertina Gallery

"Mining the tropes of adolescent identity, both artists share nostalgia—even obsession—for the stylized rebellion of teenage subcultures.” Mmmm…sounds like drinkin’ beer and burning shit. Or maybe that was just my teen years. Can’t help but wonder about what’s going to happen to Dorothy too. Surrender Dorothy consists of a large scale collaboration between Jesse Butcher and Corkey Sinks.

Concertina Gallery is located at 2351 N. Milwaukee Ave. Reception is Saturday from 7-10pm.

3. Hexenhaus at No Coast

I have a think for work that involves animals. It’s personal taste, but eh, you stick an animal in there, I’ll at least give it a second look. I also like gardening. So, when I read a description like, "The private lives of humans, animals, and houseplants exist betwixt and between the magic and glamor of polarized human emotions in Hexenhaus” I obviously become intrigued. Hexenhaus features to work of Tessa Siddle.

No Coast is located at 1500 W. 17th St. Reception is Friday from 6-9pm.

4. Chicago Zine Fest at Johalla Projects

Zines are awesome. Who wouldn’t want to go to a zine festival? Johalla is hosting the Zine Art Show and the Gadabout Film Festival & Animations by Lilli Carre. There will also be a zine reading at Quimbies from 7-9pm.

Johalla Projects is located at 1561 N Milwaukee Ave. Reception is Friday from 7-10pm.

5. Kijkshop at He Said, She Said

Some people have called my a luddite, and not without reason. Regardless, I do have a bit of an obsession with all things old and outdated. Thus, I can’t help but be attracted to a show that celebrated the analog in an anthropologically obsessive way. Hooray! Kijkshop is a solo exhibition of work by Nina Bovasso.

He Said, She Said is located at 216 N Harvey Ave. in Oak Park. Reception is Saturday from 6-8pm.

Written by Stephanie Burke

Stephanie Burke was born in Nevada City, CA in 1984. She received her BA in Studio Art and Anthropology from Humboldt State University in 2007, and her MFA in Photography from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2009. Currently she makes work, teaches photography at Wilbur Wright College and Hyde Park Art Center, writes for Bad at Sports and works as Managing Editor for Art Talk Chicago and Chicago Art Magazine. When not making, teaching, looking at, or writing about art, she enjoys running around in the woods, drinking beer by bonfires, and target shooting.