Bridgeport Art Center

05/26/2026

CALL FOR ARTISTS - COLOR SONGS, now open.
Deadline to submit June 22, 2026.

COLOR SONGS: Musicians as Visual Artists Art is a universal language that has many modes of expression. Color Songs: Musicians as Visual Artists, curated by Dr. Yaoundé Olu, focuses on a marriage between the disciplines of visual art and music. Seeking visual artists who also create music, or musicians who compose visual artworks; painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, fiber arts, photography, installation, etc… While works of art addressing music as a subject are encouraged, the works of visual art featured in Color Songs are not limited to this theme.

Complete details in the link!

DEADLINE TO APPLY JUNE 22, 2026

05/18/2026

Congratulations to the winners of Bridgeport Art Center’s14th Annual Juried Art Conpetition! Winners were announced at our 3rd Friday Open Studios May 15th!. Prize Winners of the 14th Annual Juried Art Competition

Best of Show – $3,000 – Jane Michalski – Waters Edge (Summer) – Encaustic on Panel, Inkjet Prints, Silkscreen
2nd Place – $1,500 – Jennifer Warren – City Girl #1 – How to Love Oil on Canvas
3rd Place – $750 – Buddy Plumlee – Fortune Teller – Oil on canvas
4th Place-$250 – Wenslo Garcia La Ventana (The Window)-Egg Tempera on laminated chalk panel
5th Place-$150 – Aaron Becker “the artist babz” same same (but different)– Bronze, patina, paint graphite, low fire clay, underglaze, underglaze pencil, glaze
People’s Choice – $500 – To Be Announced.

05/18/2026

https://www.bridgeportart.com/call-for-artists-color-songs/

BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER proudly announces a call for artists for Color Songs: Musicians as Visual Artists, curated by Dr. Yaoundé Olu, that is exhibited in our distinguished 4th Floor Gallery July 17-Sept 4 2026.

COLOR SONGS: Musicians as Visual Artists Art is a universal language that has many modes of expression. Color Songs: Musicians as Visual Artists, curated by Dr. Yaoundé Olu, focuses on a marriage between the disciplines of visual art and music. Seeking visual artists who also create music, or musicians who compose visual artworks; painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, fiber arts, photography, installation, etc… While works of art addressing music as a subject are encouraged, the works of visual art featured in Color Songs are not limited to this theme.

FEES & DEADLINES: The $27 application fee is non-refundable.
DEADLINE: Monday June 22 2026, midnight
EXHIBITION DATES: July 17- Sept 4 2026
OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, July 17 2026, 7-10pm

DELIVERY OF ARTWORK: Accepted artists must hand deliver their work to the Bridgeport Art Center on either Thursday July 9 2026; 2-5pm or Saturday July 11 2026; 11am- 2pm. We do not accept shipped artworks.

05/08/2026

Friday May 15 Open Studios features two gallery openings! Our 14th Annual Juried Art Competition in the 4th floor gallery and Canvas, Color & Vision in the 3rd Floor Gallery. Sign up for Free on Eventbrite links in bio.

PLEASE NOTE - FRIDAY MAY 15th The Cubs will play The White Sox at Rate Field in Bridgeport. Some road closures will be in effect duing the game. Game begins at 6:40. 35th St. will be closed 1 mile East of the Bridgeport Art Center.

05/01/2026

We are thrilled to share this story of one of our great tenants at the Bridgeport Art Center! Congrats to Freddie Collier Studio who was recently featured on WGN TV, Be sure to stop by his studio at our next 3rd Friday Open Studios. May 15th from 7-10pm! Free Tickets on Eventbrite

04/29/2026

Now available! Large private space to create! 1,000 Square feet, Located right off our prestigious 3rd floor gallery. Large south facing windows with a view of the Chicago River. Column free space with hardwood floors. Elevator access, on-site cafe. Ample free parking.
Available for immediate occupancy. Join our thriving creative community at the Bridgeport Art Center.

Contact our Leasing Manager to schedule a tour!
[email protected]

Large private space to create! 1,000 Square feet. Su filled southern exposure.

04/29/2026

Unforgettable moments from the Macon wedding ✨🥂🤍

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Venue: - Skyline Loft
Venue Management & Bar:
Photographer:
Planning:
Catering:
Design:
Florals:
Hair & Makeup:
Spray Tan:
Photo Booth: .booth

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04/21/2026

Truly the most joyful day! ✨

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Venue: - Sculpture Garden Gallery
Venue Management & Bar:
Photographer:
Design:
Catering:
Florals:
Ceremony Music:
Entertainment:

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04/10/2026

The Chicago skyline, vibrant florals, and one very happy couple ✨ it doesn’t get better than this!

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Venue: - Skyline Loft
Venue Management & Bar:
Photographer:
Planning:
Florals:
Design:
Entertainment:
Hair:
Gown:

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04/08/2026

Mark your calendars for Friday April, 17th. 7-10 pm. Open Studios at the Bridgeport Art Center! Free registration on EventBrite. Link in Bio! See you there.

03/26/2026

CALL FOR ARTISTS DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING! Over $3000 in prizes! Still time to apply for the 14th Annual Juried Art Competition! https://bridgeportart.slideroom.com/ #/login/program/87760

03/22/2026

BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER proudly announces a call for artists for our 14th Annual Bridgeport Art Competition that is exhibited in our distinguished 4th Floor Gallery.
ELIGIBILITY: The Bridgeport Art Competition is open to artists 18 years of age and older, at all stages in their careers, and who are living or working within 150 miles of the City of Chicago. Work must have been completed within 2023-2026. This juried competition accepts a broad range of art media and styles. Not eligible: functional pottery, jewelry, clothing, accessories, furniture, other primarily functional art, or time-art such as video, sound, or film; or works previously exhibited at the BAC.

FEES & DEADLINES: The application fees are non-refundable.
EARLY DEADLINE: MARCH 23, 2025 $35
FINAL DEADLINE: MARCH 30, 2025 $45

AWARDS:
Best of Show – $3,000
2nd Place – $1,500
3rd Place – $750
4th Place-$250
5th Place-$150
People’s Choice – $500

OUR DISTINGUISHED JURORS:
Monica J. Brown and Kimberly Oliva
EXHIBITION DATES:
May 15th – June 26, 2026

https://www.bridgeportart.com/call-for-artists-bacs-14th-annual-juried-art-competition/

03/12/2026

BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER proudly announces a call for artists for our 14th Annual Bridgeport Art Competition that is exhibited in our distinguished 4th Floor Gallery.

ELIGIBILITY: The Bridgeport Art Competition is open to artists 18 years of age and older, at all stages in their careers, and who are living or working within 150 miles of the City of Chicago. Work must have been completed within 2023-2026. This juried competition accepts a broad range of art media and styles. Not eligible: functional pottery, jewelry, clothing, accessories, furniture, other primarily functional art, or time-art such as video, sound, or film; or works previously exhibited at the BAC.

FEES & DEADLINES: The application fees are non-refundable.

EARLY DEADLINE: MARCH 23, 2026 $35 FINAL DEADLINE: MARCH 30, 2026 $45

AWARDS:

Best of Show – $3,000
2nd Place – $1,500;
3rd Place – $750;
4th Place-$250;
5th Place-$150
People’s Choice – $500

OUR DISTINGUISHED JURORS:
Monica J. Brown and Kimberly Oliva

Deadline March 23rd, 2026 BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER proudly announces a call for artists for our 14th Annual Bridgeport Art Competition that is exhibited in our distinguished 4th Floor Gallery. ELIGIBILITY: The Bridgeport Art Competition is open to artists 18 years of age and older, at all stages in the...

03/08/2026

BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER proudly announces a call for artists for Color Songs: Musicians as Visual Artists, curated by Dr. Yaoundé Olu, that is exhibited in our distinguished 4th Floor Gallery July 17-Sept 4 2026.

Art is a universal language that has many modes of expression. Color Songs: Musicians as Visual Artists, focuses on a marriage between the disciplines of visual art and music. Seeking visual artists who also create music, or musicians who compose
visual artworks; painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, fiber arts, photography, installation, etc… While works of art addressing music as a subject are encouraged, the works of visual art featured in Color Songs are not limited to this theme.

FEES & DEADLINES: The $27 application fee is non-refundable.
DEADLINE: Monday June 22 2026, midnight
EXHIBITION DATES: July 17- Sept 4 2026
OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, July 17 2026, 7-10pm

image: Yaoundé Olu, Levitating Priestesses of Light Playing
Tharse Ball in an Alternate Dimension Beneath Millennium Park
Digital Paint Construction on Canvas, 2022, 24” x 36”

https://www.bridgeportart.com/call-for-artists-color-songs-musicians-as-visual-artists/

03/04/2026

A day that felt easy, elegant, and unforgettable 💐

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Venue: - Skyline Loft
Venue Management & Bar:
Photographer: .fotos
Planning:
Design:
Catering:
DJ:

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02/25/2026

A beautiful spot for an intimate wedding 🕊️

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Venue: - Sculpture Garden Gallery
Venue Management & Bar:
Photographer:
Planning:
Florals:
Design:
Catering:
Dress:
Hair & Makeup: .lashes_beauty
Dog:
Band:
Photo Booth: .co

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02/18/2026

JUST ADDED TO OPEN STUDIOS!
What: Encaustic Painting Demonstration
When: Feb 20, 7 – 9 pm
Where: Jeff Hirst Studio, Bridgeport Art Center, Studio 3A3120

Jeff Hirst will give an encaustic painting demonstration during Open Studios at the Bridgeport Art Center.

What is encaustic painting?
Encaustic Painting is painting with molten pigmented beeswax and applying it to a painting surface. Encaustic painting is the oldest painting medium dating back to ancient Greece 3500 years ago.

Jeff Hirst has painted with encaustic since 1995 and has taught encaustic workshops since 2003.
https://www.bridgeportart.com/classes/ -hirst

02/17/2026

Large, sun filled fashion design center space. Top floor floor.
Check out this 360 degree tour of the space. Leasing Now!

Contact our leasing manager for details.
640 Square Feet
Unique floor plan
Large double door for bringing in large items
Hardwood Floor
Plenty of natural light from overhead skylights
Fitting Room with mirrors & Changing room outside studio

Spacious 640 sq. ft. industrial-style loft in Chicago featuring exposed wooden beams, ductwork, and original hardwood floors. Open floor plan with high ceilings and ample natural light.

02/17/2026

This Friday is our monthly Third Friday Open Studios! Join us for our three gallery shows and our featured artists. The event is FREE! 7-10 pm. Register on EventBrite. Link in bio. See you then!

01/29/2026

FEATURED SPACE FOR LEASE AT THE BRIDGEPORT ART CENTER -

OFFICE 3E1125 - Bright sw corner space, plenty of natural light, Chicago River view, easy access to shared conference room and kitchenette.
Secure keypad entry to section. Shared lobby area on 3rd floor. Wi-fi. 240 SQF - Available Now.
Contact Michelle Paluch for details and to schedule a tour of this space an other options in the building.
[email protected] or call 773-247-3000

Matterport 3D Showcase.