I’m thrilled to announce that my watercolors are on view in an exclusive exhibition at the Gwen, a luxury hotel on Rush Street in Chicago’s trendy Gold Coast neighborhood.

The show’s curator chose just four artists to participate in Sunny Sentiments: A Tribute to Summer’s Glow, the inaugural exhibition resulting from a partnership between the Gwen and Chicago’s Woman Made Gallery, dedicated to honoring and promoting female artists.

Sunny Sentiments presents three of my Horizon watercolors along with photography, prints, and mixed media by three other Woman Made member artists. Together, our art celebrates summer and allows everyone who experiences it to keep savoring that season’s warmth, color, and joy – no matter the actual season or the weather outside.

The show is on view now through Friday, December 13, at the hotel’s Upstairs at the Gwen area, in the Private Affairs space, 5th floor, 521 N. Rush St., Chicago.

About The Show

Curator Astrid Houze de l’Aulnoit conceived and organized Sunny Sentiments: A Tribute to Summer’s Glow to showcase refreshing artwork from four Chicago-based Woman Made Gallery member artists. She wanted to pay homage to the fleeting magic of summer, where every brushstroke and captured moment serves as a radiant tribute to the boundless energy and endless possibilities that define this beloved season.

Houze d’Aulnoit chose three of my colorful Horizon watercolors for this show: Horizon (Air and Water), Horizon (Cold April Walk), and Pearl Gray And Purple Horizon I. She also selected two summertime photographs by Lucy VanRegenmorte, Louise Pappageorge’s monumental golden “Gloaming” artwork, and two whimsical/humorous monoprints by Kim Laurel.

Sunny Sentiments invites you to “bask in the warmth of cherished memories and celebrate the radiant spirit of summer,” Houze d’Aulnoit said. “This captivating exhibition captures the essence of sun-kissed days and balmy nights through a diverse array of artistic expressions. Step into a world…evoking the playful hues of a summer sunset. Feel the gentle breeze and hear the laughter of days spent under clear blue skies as you explore each artwork, each piece a nostalgic homage to the joys of the season.”

The show opened in summertime with a special reception for the artists. Now that autumn has come to Chicago, its “summer glow” remains to allow everyone who experiences this show to remember the city’s special joys during the hot weather months, from long hours of daylight fun to colorful sunsets to carefree nights under the stars.

“Sunny Sentiments offers a journey through moments of pure bliss and tranquility,” Houze d’Aulnoit said. “Whether through the lens of photography, the strokes of a brush, or the sculptor’s careful touch, each creation invites you to immerse yourself in the beauty and warmth of summertime. This exhibition promises to reignite your love for summer and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the simple joys found in its glowing embrace.”

About The Curator

Born in Lille, France, Astrid Houze de l’Aulnoit grew up in the art world, spending all her free time in auction houses, art galleries, and museums. Soon she started working in the art world, becoming a gallery assistant for an art fair at age 15. Two years later, she immigrated by herself to the U.S.; a year later she enrolled at Lake Forest College, earning a BA in art history and entrepreneurship. She started interning at Woman Made Gallery during her senior year.

She now serves as the gallery’s membership and volunteer coordinator and recently received art market expertise certification from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She currently is enrolled in an art management master’s degree program at Columbia College.

About The Gwen And Woman Made Gallery

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the Gwen merges historic elegance with modern luxury. Named for famed Chicago-born sculptor Gwen Lux, the hotel occupies the landmark McGraw-Hill building on the Magnificent Mile and features Lux’s artwork on the facade and within. The fifth floor space holding Sunny Sentiments offers an array of artwork throughout as well as striking city views from an outdoor terrace.

Woman Made Gallery is located at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago. It supports, cultivates, and promotes the diverse contributions of women and nonbinary artists through exhibitions, membership, and community dialogue programs. Since its founding in 1992, the gallery has shown work by more than 10,000 women and non-binary artists in 475 exhibitions. To contact Woman Made Gallery, got to http://womanmade.org, call 312-738-0400, or email general@womanmade.org.

See The Show

Savor summer even as the weather turns colder by visiting Sunny Sentiments for a dose of warmth and gorgeous color.

Stop by the Gwen any time from now through Friday, December 13. Go to the fifth floor to get to the hotel’s Upstairs at the Gwen area, in the Private Affairs space. The hotel is located at 521 N. Rush St., Chicago.

NOTE: All work in the show is for sale, making it a perfect opportunity to browse for holiday gifts. Or treat yourself to a gift for your home or office so you can enjoy summer all year ’round with a colorful Horizon watercolor of your own.