Want a dose of culture sans supercilious gallery employees or having to dodge the evil eye when you don’t make the suggested donation? Try these offbeat spots for a fix of visual arts for free.
Apollo Theatre
If you’re seeing The Vagina Monologues or just walking by on Lincoln Avenue, step into the lobby to check out Grace, a tribute to Leonardo da Vinci by Chicago artist Grace Cole. It’s the latest exhibition in a public space curated by Anatomically Correct. The show features mixed media work incorporating classical images found in da Vinci’s paintings. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Through March 3. 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. 312-514-1802.
City Gallery, Water Tower Place
Take a break from the tourist hordes on Michigan Avenue with a visit to Stephen Szoradi’s Water exhibit. The Chicago photographer’s 20 silver-gelatin photos depict a pumping station and water treatment plant. 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Through March 31. 806 N. Michigan Ave. 312-742-0808.
Cafe Selmarie
Feast your eyes on new works by local artists while enjoying brunch or a scrumptious slice of cake at this Lincoln Square restaurant and bakery. It can be busy, but once you get a table be sure to take in the original and usually brightly colored art that fills the walls. It changes every four to six weeks but is always by an up-and-coming Chicago talent. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 4729 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-989-5595.
Harold Washington Library Center
You can see paintings, sculpture or prints throughout Chicago’s flagship library, but the best exhibit on display right now is up among the special collections on the ninth floor. “Chicago Bound and Bedecked” is an outstanding collection of novels and non-fiction bound by hand with such innovation and beauty that these books are art in their own right. Few people visit these exhibits, so you can keep the security guard awake while you enjoy your own private viewing. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Through Feb 28. 400 S. State St. 312-747-4649.
The Smith Museum of Stained Glass
This collection of some 200 stained glass windows is a hidden gem located on the lower level of Navy Pier’s Festival Hall. You’ll be amazed by the riot of colors in these secular and religious decorations. Most of the works in this public collection were made right here in the city–Chicago was a major center for stained glass production in the 1890s. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Open end. Festival Hall at Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave. 312-595-5024.
Chase Cafe
One of the rooms in this cavernous converted 1922 hotel lobby features rotating art shows. The eclecticism of this ragtag Rogers Park hangout carries over into its gallery programming. Recent installations include “Transmutations,” Christine Stout-Holmes’ sculptures and paintings exploring women in media. 7 a.m.-midnight Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday and Sunday. 7301 N. Sheridan Rd. 773-743-5650.
Cafe Jumping Bean
The brightly colored cacti painted on the tables of this Pilsen cafe will put you in mind of Mexico, but the art here is by local artists. Right now the red walls in this cozy spot are covered with recent paintings by Marima Weksler. 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Through Feb. 26. 1439 W. 18th St. 312-455-0019.
