The iconic dive bar is an intrinsic part of Chicago’s unique cultural identity.
This summer, a new art exhibition will explore the enduring legacy of the local dive, and its capacity for building community.
Cash Only: An Ode to Dive Bars
Cash Only: An Ode to Dive Bars is the latest juried exhibition from arts organizer NEW Gallery, opening this month at Art City (1400 N Halsted).
The exhibition will feature a multimedia selection of works from local artists, spanning photography, painting, sculpture, and more.
Each work will draw inspiration from the fabric of the Chicago dive bar—from neon signs and juke boxes, to photobooth strips and the quintessential Old Style can
Underneath the art, Cash Only will seek to highlight the dive bar’s role in community building, document their visual identity, and emphasize the importance of preserving these third spaces.
“We love Chicago’s dive bar culture. The theme of the show is inspired by people who frequent these bars and make artwork inspired by their experiences in these places,” said NEW Gallery founder Joe Sikora.
“There is something special about a place where people can step out of their daily routines, their 9-to-5s, and let loose.”
Cash Only: An Ode to Dive Bars will open on Friday, July 10 and run through Friday, August 14.
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