The Chicago design community is always buzzing. From events happening around town to news coverage that can’t be missed, there’s a lot to keep track of in the Windy City. In this weekly news roundup, AD PRO has everything you need to know.
NeoCon 2020 Is Postponed
Joining a growing crescendo of design event cancellations, NeoCon has officially been postponed. The annual contract design fair at The Mart was supposed to take place between June 8 and 10. “For the past several weeks, the Mart has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation with partners and city and state officials,” NeoCon organizers said in a statement. “It is now clear that postponement is the correct decision and all those involved with the June event have new information with which to plan accordingly.” The team has yet to announce new dates for the event.
Major Design Institutions Are Closed
The Chicago Architecture Center closed and suspended events through March 31, as cases of COVID-19 climbed to near 100 in Illinois over the weekend. The Art Institute of Chicago is also closed through March 27, as are numerous other museums, state parks, attractions, and all restaurants and bars.
Flower and Garden Show Canceled
The Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier canceled this year’s show due to coronavirus concerns. “We are the proud stewards of a tradition that dates back more than a century,” a representative of the Chicago Flower and Garden show said in a statement. “Each year, the team works incredibly hard to make sure the show is a safe, family-friendly event. Nothing is more important than the safety of our visitors and guests.” The show will be back next spring, and One of a Kind’s holiday show is currently scheduled December 3 to 6.
An Upcoming Exhibit at Elmhurst Art Museum Is a Play on the Past
Several Chicago architects, designers, and artists got together to re-create a playable 18-hole golf course that pays homage to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s original 1988 exhibition “Par Excellence.” The Elmhurst Art Museum and international art platform Colossal founder Christopher Jobson joined forces to recruit Current Projects, Eve Fineman, Latent Design, Wesley Baker, Julie Cowan, and others to work on “Par Excellence Redux," which is scheduled to be open from May 9 to September 13.
“Our show pays homage to the original 18-hole mini golf course to similarly blend art & golf in an approachable way while also presenting new creative takes on a familiar pastime,” John McKinnon, executive director of the Elmhurst Art Museum, tells AD PRO. “There will be a lot for people to enjoy, from the wide range of high-design concepts to challenging their friends and family members in a fun game. One of our biggest criteria of selecting artists was the originality of the design, if it was fully playable, and how it blended art and recreation.”
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Icon Building Group Awarded for Customer Service
Icon Building Group won a Best of Houzz award. The renovation and design platform honored the custom home building company for its customer service. “This award is particularly meaningful, as it reflects the sentiment of the millions of homeowners in the Houzz community who are hiring home professionals for their projects across the U.S. and around the world,” Houzz’s vice president of marketing said about the program in a statement.
Chicago Leaders Ask for Moratoriums on Evictions and More
According to a new report by Curbed Chicago, evictions will be put on hold for a period of 30 days after deputies encountered a resident showing signs of COVID-19. City leaders are also asking Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Governor J.B. Pritzker, and other state officials for a series of measures to help stem the tide of the virus, including a moratorium on utility shut-offs and housing court, as well as halting ICE check-ins.
