School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
37 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 1220
Chicago, IL 60603
Celebrating 150 years as a leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) presents a new season of the Visiting Artists Program—a public forum that features today’s most influential practitioners and thinkers.
An invaluable resource for SAIC students, the Visiting Artists Program is central to SAIC’s interdisciplinary curriculum. In addition to public lectures, visitors directly engage with SAIC students through studio critiques and roundtable discussions, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary art and culture.
All events are free, non-ticketed, and open to the general public unless otherwise noted. Lectures begin at 6pm and are held in the Art Institute of Chicago, Rubloff Auditorium, 230 South Columbus Drive. Visit saic.edu/vap for details.
Chris Ware: William and Stephanie Sick Distinguished Professor in conversation with Hamza Walker
September 3
Chris Ware (SAIC 1991–93), an award-winning cartoonist and author of Building Stories and Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth, will discuss his work with curator Hamza Walker. Established in 2006 by a generous gift from William and Stephanie Sick, this distinguished professorship enables internationally renowned artists and designers to visit and teach at SAIC.
Jeff Koons: 150th anniversary distinguished alumni lecturer
September 21
Tickets required
Internationally acclaimed sculptor, painter, and alum Jeff Koons (SAIC 1975–76, HON 2008) will discuss his work on the occasion of SAIC’s 150th anniversary. Presented in partnership with SAIC’s Office of the President and Office of Alumni Relations.
Kunlé Adeyemi
October 5
Kunlé Adeyemi is a Nigerian architect, urbanist, designer, and founder of NLÉ, an architecture, design, and urbanism practice with a focus on developing cities. Presented in partnership with the William Bronson and Grayce Slovet Mitchell Lectureship in the Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects.
Eija-Liisa Ahtila
September 29
Finish artist and filmmaker Eija-Liisa Ahtila experiments with narrative storytelling in her films and cinematic installations. Her skillfully crafted narratives and touching portrayals of characters have won critical acclaim worldwide.
Sarah Vowell: Distinguished alumni lecture series
October 29
Tickets required
SAIC alum Sarah Vowell (MA 1999) is a New York Times–bestselling author of six nonfiction books on American history and culture. She will read from her new book Lafayette in the Somewhat United States. Presented in partnership with the Chicago Humanities Festival.
Rona Pondick
November 4
New York–based artist Rona Pondick uses traditional and technologically advanced methods to create sculptural hybrids that meld body fragments with animal or plant forms. Presented in partnership with William Bronson and Grayce Slovet Mitchell Lectureship in the Department of Fiber and Material Studies.
Richard Mosse
November 12
Irish photographer Richard Mosse captures the beauty and tragedy in war and destruction. His most recent series, Infra, documents the ongoing war between rebel factions and the Congolese national army in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Presented in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago.
Christian Boltanski
December 8
Renowned French artist Christian Boltanski works with the ephemera of daily life and human experience to create installations that explore memory and loss and the relation between life, death, and art. Presented in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago.
About the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has an educational philosophy built upon an interdisciplinary approach to art and design, giving undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students unparalleled opportunities to develop their creative and critical abilities, while working with renowned faculty who include many of the leading practitioners in their fields. Learn more at saic.edu.
