Tonight might be Halloween—but it’s also the opening night preview of SOFA Chicago at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall.
Through the weekend, the mega fair devoted to sculpture, objects, functional art, and design is celebrating its 20th year, and to observe this anniversary, it’s launching Connect, a student design exhibit and competition (look for lounge areas and lighting installations created by students from some of the world’s top art schools throughout the exhibit).
What’s so fantastic about SOFA is that it offers exposure to artists from all over the world under one roof. About 70 dealers will bring glass, ceramics, textiles, wood and metalwork by makers of all stripes, including Dutch ceramicist Henk Wolvers, Australia-based glass artist Klaus Moje, and master furniture maker Wendell Castle (whose stained ash with oil finish setee is shown here). For those who want to learn the stories behind the works, there are also plenty of lectures all weekend long.
Tonight’s preview, from 7 to 9 p.m., is $50. General admission is $15; a three-day pass is $25.