Exhibits

Current Exhibits

Then and Now: 10 Decades of Jewish Community in West Rogers Park

May 12–July 20

A photo retrospective chronicling the constancy and change, values, and resilience of Chicago's most enduring Jewish neighborhood.

Addis to Awassa at 160 kmh by Yancey Hughes

March 1-May 31, 2025

Color photography capturing the landscape and colorful people, villages, markets, mosques, and animals seen on a journey between Addis and Awassa, both cities in Ethiopia that are roughly 500 miles apart. Yancey Hughes has been a practicing photographer in Okinawa, throughout Europe, in New York, and Chicago. 

Past Exhibits

Artistic Discovery Competition

April 14-23, 2025
High school students from the Illinois 9th Congressional District submit their work to Artistic Discovery, a Congressional art competition whose winner will be exhibited at the United States Capitol.

The Niles Township High School District 219 Art Exhibition 

February 10-March 30, 2025 

Artwork by students at both Niles West and Niles North High Schools. Many of the artists are taking AP and advanced art courses and are building portfolios for both the College Board and in pursuit of art scholarships. Art courses at District 219 focus on creative development through process, technique, exploration, and experimentation. 

Children’s Book Illustration 

December 9, 2024-February 2, 2025 

What would you look like if you suddenly appeared in your favorite children's book? Students from Niles North High School’s AP Studio Art and AP 2D Design classes visited the library, chose books with an illustration style they liked, then created a self portrait in the style of that artist as if they were now in the book. It was a lot of fun!

Cognitive Dissonance: A Surrealist’s Approach to Imagery 

November 30, 2024-January 26, 2025 

From artist Robert W. Hutchison: "How we perceive a work of art that includes two objects in the same context can either make sense or be nonsensical. The nonsensical situations create cognitive dissonance–an uneasy or confused feeling. Surrealist artists believed that cognitive dissonance would force viewers to try to understand the dissonance by creating some context in which the objects could reasonably coexist. This might then lead viewers to new modes of thought. I have tried, in much of my work, to follow these tenets of surrealist artistic practice. The two artists aligned with the surrealist movement who have had the most influence on my art are René Magritte and Hans Arp." 

Kutbayin: A Reimagined Artistic Legacy of Ancient Philippines

October 18-November 16

Fred DeAsis's collection, a decade in the making, is a testament to the enduring power of Filipino heritage. His innovative fusion of traditional techniques and the ancient Baybayin script bridges past and present, inviting viewers to decipher hidden narratives within his intricate compositions. This work is a celebration of cultural resilience, a tribute to the artistry of the Filipino spirit, and a reminder of art's timeless ability to connect us to our past, present, and future. Each piece is a testament to Fred’s dedication to preserving and revitalizing ancient traditions. Through his work, Fred honors the legacy of his ancestors and inspires others to appreciate and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Faces of Nature

September 9-November 22, 2024

Photographer Carol Krofl hit an errant golf ball one day. When she looked to retrieve it, she saw what she thought was a gnarled face looking at her. From that moment, she has discovered “faces” everywhere in nature and has shared some of them in this collection of photographs. Perhaps you'll find faces, too, as you look more closely at the wonder and diversity of nature.

The Beginnings of Fair Housing in Skokie

Based on our online exhibit, library visitors can take in a physical exhibit exploring the origins and progress of fair housing in Skokie, starting in 1961 when the first Black family purchased a home in Skokie. Original materials courtesy of Skokie Heritage Museum.

Take the Shirt off My Back

June 1-August 15, 2024

To create the 35 quilts in this exhibit, members of the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild were asked to find used shirts and create quilts using them. The goal for this challenge was to raise awareness and promote sustainability and repurposing. Our quilters expressed themselves in a wide variety of styles. Each quilt tells a story that some viewers will be moved by and others will smile at. The Chicago Modern Quilt Guild is an open, spirited, and inclusive community group, welcoming all. The guild believes that respecting different cultures and gender identifications enriches and enhances the guild.

Propose an Exhibit

If you’d like to propose an exhibit to display at Skokie Public Library, please review our exhibit guidelines and submit this form. Unfortunately, because of the volume of proposals we receive, we’re not able to individually respond to each inquiry.