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
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 […]
Artist Marge Hall Shares Nature’s Beauty at Gallery 200
Nature’s Beauty runs through the month of August 2019 Popular artist Marge Hall opened her solo exhibit, Nature’s Beauty, to the public at Gallery 200 on Friday, August 2, 2019 with a reception. The exhibit will run through the month of August. Marge earned an Associate Degree in Commercial Art from Southern Illinois University Vocational […]
Door County Memories of Artist Shari Hohl at Gallery 200
Artist Shari Hohl has been going up to Door County for 23 years and continues to be amazed at the beauty around the county. She has been painting there for as long as she’s been going there. Her exhibit, Door County Memories, will be installed at Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington Street in historic downtown […]
Artéculture to Deliver a Satisfying Selection of Art
May 3 – June 4, 2019Opening Reception on Friday, May 3, 2019 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.Kindred Coffee Roasters – 148 W. Washington StreetGallery 200 – 103 W. Washington StreetDowntown West Chicago This year’s selection of artwork for the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission’s annual multi-media art exhibit Artéculture which opens on Friday, May 3, […]
Art in Full Bloom in the Month of May at Gallery 200
Opening ReceptionFriday, May 3, 20196:00 – 9:00 p.m. The arrival of spring brings the blossoming of art to Gallery 200, 103 W. Washington Street, during the month of May. Eleven Gallery artists will show nature’s awakening, beauty in flowers and butterflies, garden art and more, through a wide variety of media. Spring-inspired artwork from the […]
Art is the HeART of the City in March
Gallery 200, at 103 West Washington Street, is happy to host Art is the HeART of the City, the West Chicago School District 33 Student Art Exhibit. March is Youth Art Month and this show will display a wide variety of works from grades 1-8. Students use a variety of media to show their creativity […]
Art – Past and Present by Margaret Bucholz
Born in Japan, Margaret Bucholz, February’s featured artist at Gallery 200, discovered her love for art from her mother, an Ikebana master and oil painter. From 9 years of age until age 21, Margaret lived in Hawaii where she picked up her love for bright colors and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in […]
Professional Art Quilt Alliance Brings Illumination to Gallery 200
The Professional Art Quilt Alliance (PAQA), a group of mid-west fiber artists who meet monthly in suburban Chicago, will be featured artists at Gallery 200 in January for a show titled Illumination. The Illumination Challenge resulted in members interpreting the idea of illumination in an art quilt. You can read more about PAQA and see […]
