Gallery 200, an artist co-op, is a creative oasis in downtown West Chicago featuring the work of local artists for sale at affordable prices. It is a division of People Made Visible, an arts not for profit, and is partially supported by the City of West Chicago.
History
It started over a cup of coffee, with an empty building and two people with a vision. Then Mayor Michael Kwasman and Fredericka Howard, chairman in the Cultural Arts Commission, saw a way to use the vacant space at 200 Main Street to showcase the work of local artists. Gallery 200 was launched in the Fall of 2005 with the help of the West Chicago City Council and thirty artists with faith in what their art could do, to become the first artists’ cooperative in West Chicago.
For several years the Gallery artists used their energy and funds to give the space a fresh coat of paint, acquire display units and continue to bring new art works into the Gallery. This is how the first floor of an 1860’s historical hotel became an elegant space displaying both fine and moderately priced art. The Gallery demonstrates its commitment to the community through events like ArtShare, classes and demonstrations or workshops open to the public. Each month a new Featured Artist exhibit opens with a reception free to visitors.
Gallery 200 has flourished with the support of the community and has become a haven for art lovers. It is a quiet place to browse, view and buy original local art. In 2014, the Gallery transitioned from a city-supported initiative to merge with the not-for-profit art-diverse People Made Visible, Inc. The City of West Chicago continues to generously support and promote the Gallery and its artists.
Contact
630-293-9550
gallerytwohundred@gmail.com
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Hours
Thursdays: noon - 6:00 p.m.
Fridays: noon - 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays & Sundays: noon - 4:00 p.m.
Address
103 W. Washington St,
West Chicago, IL 60185
Recent News about Gallery 200
Two Fiber Artists Bring Unique Styles to Gallery 200
September and October will bring fiber artists Sharon Malec and Patty Koenigsaeker to Gallery 200, again for a virtual show at www.gallery200.org, as well as for live viewing of their art during reduced open hours. Sharon began quilting in 1992, making traditional pieced quilts, but gradually turned to making contemporary art quilts. Her interest in […]
Pop-up Art Supply Distribution at Gallery 200 – Saturday, August 1, 2020
A Pop-up Art Supply Distribution in honor of McCormick Day, will take place at Gallery 200, 203 Main Street in downtown West Chicago on Saturday, August 1, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. FREE gift bags of art supplies will be given out while supplies last. The day marks the birthday of Cantigny Park’s […]
“Oh, the Places You Can Go When the Pandemic is No More!” by Artist Judith Horsley
While regular operations at West Chicago’s Gallery 200 have been impacted by COVID-19, one thing remains constant; it is a destination for the amazing talents of community artists. Earlier this spring, due to the required closure of the Gallery, the Featured Artist series went virtual with online shows of fabulous art and a Virtual Market […]
Images of Lost and Found: An Exhibit of Art by West Chicago’s ESL Students
Photograph by Ignacio Leaving home is never easy. However, as small children we adapt pretty quickly. Our parents make those transitions more seamless since they tend to be the center of our universe. In a sense, we take our homes with us as children. As adults, we usually choose to leave our homes. It seems […]
West Chicago Community High School Art Students Demonstrate Technical Skill, Creativity & Imagination
West Chicago Community High School students created an exceptional exhibit of original art which was scheduled for display at Gallery 200 during the month of April. Unfortunately, due to the rapidly evolving events of COVID-19, installation of the exhibit made it impossible Throughout the school year, art students have grown in their mastery of materials, […]
Art is the Heart of the City at Gallery 200 in March
The eighth annual Art is the Heart of the City is the exhibit for the month of March at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. On display is the artwork of students in grades first through eighth at West Chicago Elementary School District 33 schools. There is a variety of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional media, […]
Extending the Natural World at Gallery 200 All Month
Artist Joanne Barsanti is February’s Featured Artist though her Opening Reception is scheduled for January 31, 2010 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. After she retired from a career in technology, Joanne re-directed her energies towards art. What began as a photography-based hobby slowly morphed into an Encore Career. […]
Warrenville Artist Nick Gurley to Show Work in West Chicago’s Celebration of Art
The month of January brings Celebration of Art to Gallery 200 at 103 W. Washington Street, with an Opening Reception scheduled for Friday, January 17, 2020 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The art show and sale is sponsored by People Made Visible, of which Gallery 200 is a division. Artists known to the community through […]
Fused for You: A Touch of Glass Exhibit and Sale at Gallery 200
Artists Sue Tripp, Valerie Baxter, Mindy Milan, and Rita Skarha, who work across the bench from each other and share the same kiln, bring unique fused glass art to Gallery 200 in the month of November. Each will present art in the dynamic medium of fused glass. Sue, Valerie and Mindy work together at Rita’s […]
ArtOBERFEST Celebrated at Gallery 200 with Fall into Art Show
Gallery 200 will feature ArtOBERFEST, an exhibit by a group of Gallery artists for the entire month of October. ArtOBERFEST is an annual celebration of arts and culture with festivals taking place all over the country. Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street, will participate in this celebration by featuring 11 member artists in the Fall […]
Falling for Art and the Work of Kathi Kuchler
Falling for Art is the exhibit for the month of September at Gallery 200, 103 West Washington Street. The artwork on display features oils and watercolor florals and landscapes by Kathi Kuchler. The artist’s reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, September 6, 2019 but the exhibit remains all month. At age 14, Kuchler […]
A Broken Storefront Window Sparks a New Creative Voice in the Community
With less than a couple of weeks before a visit from America in Bloom’s (AiB) national judging team this summer, a broken storefront window at 103 West Washington Street’s Gallery 200, a nexus point of downtown West Chicago, became a topic of discussion at the July Cultural Arts Commission meeting. Concern about the unsightly board […]
