Enjoy “Free February” at Chicago’s Art Institute

One of Chicago’s famous landmarks, the Art Institute (111 South Michigan Ave.; map it), is celebrating winter with its “Free February” promotion giving free admission to its art galleries, including its new Modern Wing, every day this month.

Current exhibitions at the Art Institute include “Art from Coretta Scott King Award Books”; “Four Followers of Caravaggio”; and “500 Ways of Looking at Modern.”

On Permanent Display
The institute’s permanent collections include more than a 1,000 paintings and sculptures from the 18th century to the 1950s, as well ass nearly 3,000 decorative art objects from the 17th century to the present. Famous artists’ works showcased include John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler, Mary Cassatt, and Winslow Homer.

Last year the Art Institute built its new Modern Wing with 1,000 works of art by artists from Europe and the Americas, including Grant Wood, Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper, and Diego Rivera who is famous for his impressive Mexican murals.

Also not to be missed during a visit to the Art Institute is its 68 Thorne Miniature Rooms that showcase European interiors from the late 13th century to the 1930s and American furnishings from the 17th century to the 1930s. Each piece in the rooms is roughly one inch to one foot tall.

The Art Institute’s Free Events in February
In addition to its exhibits and collections, the Art Institute has free events this month including:

- 500 Ways of Looking at Modern, February 25 at 6:00 p.m.

- Book signing with William Eggleston, February 27, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

There are also free tours each day including:

- Gallery Talks daily at noon.

- Highlights Tours Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.; Sundays at noon; and  Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.

- Modern Wing Highlights Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.

Tips for Things To Do After Visiting the Art Institute
After visiting the Art Institute, you can walk down to Millennium Park, which is a couple blocks north of the institute on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets (map it), and ice skate for free (rentals are $10), and then enjoy lunch or dinner at the Park Grill (11 North Michigan Ave.; map it), which is behind the ice rink.

Recommended menu items at Park Grill include the Peppercorn Crusted Kobe Burger with gorgonzola, balsamic grilled onions, and grain mustard on a pretzel bun; the Woodland Mushroom Risotto with black truffle butter, poached farm egg, and talleggio cheese; and the Crisp White Fish with sweet corn and lobster maque choux and buttered leeks. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list both by the glass and bottle.

Photo credit: SXC