The Suburban: A Garage Gallery in Oak Park
In 1997, Michelle Grabner and Brad Killam relocated from Milwaukee to Oak Park, Illinois, where they transformed their garage into The Suburban, an international exhibition venue. This space operates without commercial intent, showcasing both emerging and established artists such as Ceal Floyer and Andrea Zittel, with new exhibitions occurring every seven to eight weeks. Its small size and suburban setting set it apart from conventional galleries. In the early 2000s, Grabner and Killam aimed to fill the gap in Chicago's visual arts scene, which included institutions like the Renaissance Society under Suzanne Ghez and Hamza Walker. Chicago's art community has since grown, with not-for-profit organizations like the Hyde Park Art Center. Recently, The Suburban added The Poor Farm in Wisconsin and plans to feature Guillaume Leblon's exhibition in July 2011.
Key facts
- Michelle Grabner and Brad Killam founded The Suburban in 1997 in Oak Park, Illinois.
- The Suburban is a 4-square-meter garage converted into an international exhibition space.
- The space operates without commercial motives and hosts exhibitions every seven to eight weeks.
- Artists exhibited include Ceal Floyer, Katharina Grosse, Wade Guyton, David Robbins, Henrik Plenge Jakobsen, and Andrea Zittel.
- The Suburban is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's decision to move his studio to Oak Park.
- The space also functions as a residency, blending domestic and professional life.
- Chicago's art scene has grown due to not-for-profit associations like the Hyde Park Art Center.
- The Suburban added an annex, The Poor Farm, in Wisconsin.
- Guillaume Leblon, nominated for the Prix Marcel Duchamp 2011, will exhibit at The Suburban in July 2011.
Entities
Artists
- Michelle Grabner
- Brad Killam
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Ceal Floyer
- Katharina Grosse
- Wade Guyton
- David Robbins
- Henrik Plenge Jakobsen
- Andrea Zittel
- Suzanne Ghez
- Hamza Walker
- Michael Darling
- Anish Kapoor
- Allison Peters
- Stephen Lapthisophon
- Bruce J. Knackert
- Nicholas Frank
- Samuel Williams
- Guillaume Leblon
- Forrest Nash
- Michael Newman
- Jason Pickleman
- Mary Jane Jacob
- Rozenn Canevet
- Luc Tuymans
- Mary Heilmann
- Scott Reeder
- Tyson Reeder
- Russell Maltz
- Victoria Munro
- Seth Hunter
- Dana DeGiulio
- Dirk Skreber
- Dan Colen
- Peter Grabner-Killam
Institutions
- The Suburban
- Renaissance Society
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
- Hyde Park Art Center
- Inova
- The Poor Farm
- University Of Chicago
- Frisenwal 120
- Matts Gallery
- Thomas Solomon's Garage
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland
- Green Gallery
- James Cohan Gallery
Locations
- Milwaukee
- Wisconsin
- Oak Park
- Illinois
- Chicago
- Kenwood
- Cologne
- London
- Los Angeles
- United States
- New York
- Cleveland
- Ohio