Chicago's Plant-Based Bucket List

When I tell people that Chicago offers incomparable vegan food, I often get side-eye or smile-and-nod responses.

You mean the city with a hot dog under its namesake? The city whose deepest dish is cheese- and meat-riddled pizza? The muckraked, meat-packing Jungle itself?

Yes, yes and absolutely. I love Chicago's approach to cruelty-free palates because it is one of contradictions. This city doesn't preach, but it won't apologize. Instead, it surprises with unbeatable comfort food and Chicago classics, all free of animal products.

Where to start? Fear not and read on. It took nearly six years and an impending Seattle move to curate, but here you have it: my Windy City Plant-based Bucket List (#PBBL).

The Chicago Diner
Obviously. I call the cookie dough peanut butter shake at this world-renowned "meat-free since '83" diner a religious experience, and that's putting it lightly. Even veal and Velveeta lovers adore the menu. With two locations in Lakeview and Logan Square and yearly showings at Pitchfork Music Festival, this place defines Chicago veganism. Cozy up in a black pleather chair and dig into a dining experience as hip as your waiter and water: chill, no ice. Don't worry, Sriracha's already on the table.
#PBBL must: Gyro and CDPB shake
#PBBL budget: $$

Hema's Kitchen
You know those times -- say, Christmas Eve -- when your family shows up to Restaurant That Shall Not Be Named with a confirmed reservation only to find lights off and chairs up? Hema's will save the night with unforgettable Indian food in the heart of Lincoln Park (they're on Devon, too). Take it from chef and owner Hema Potla: "I'm not afraid of spice." Hot okra? Fried Greens? This menu packs a punch (a cruelty-free knockout, of course).
#PBBL must: Bhendi masala (extra spicy) and spinach pakoras
#PBBL budget: $$

Dimo's Pizza
Pizza because, Chicago. Dimo's vegan 'za tastes as fierce as their Instagram 'grams. Hawaiian? Philly? Mac? "Artichoke Heartthrob"? I'll take it. I'll eat it. I'll love it. (The menu also makes for great Tinder description inspiration.) No meat? No cheese? No problem: Chorizo seitan, a slew of table-side sauces and crushed red pepper flakes make for a hot slice that stops you in your tracks.
#PBBL must: Hawaiian, any vegan special and, if it's Tuesday, a $2 PBR tallboy
#PBBL budget: $

Medici on 57th
I don't solo dine often, but when I do, I take myself on a #selfdate to the Medici just east of UChicago's campus. And then I realize I'm not alone. Fellow diners sit solo, as if to say: "Fun didn't die; it's just shy, but you can find it here." You can also find a continuously rotating statue, spectacularly spiced vegan soups and a dairy-free café au lait of Kickapoo, the city's best coffee (by way of southwest Wisconsin). I kid you not: The city's. Best. Coffee.
#PBBL must: Moroccan ragout and multiple cups of Kickapoo
#PBBL budget: $$

Speaking of caffeine, it's time for a...

COFFEE BREAK
If there's one thing this vegan is more addicted to than peanut butter, it's coffee. Chicago teems with caffeine and cruelty-free creamers. At delicious, you'll find wonderful chai, tasty scones (that texture, tho) and my favorite kombucha (Arize's ginger and black pepper brew confirms that there's no such thing as too spicy). Dollop sits a hop, skip and a jump away from The Chicago Diner, roasts Metropolis and boasts local vegan baked goods. Sol Café's baristas make me feel welcome as a vegan (dare I say expected?) with blueberry cornbread and cardamom-spiced coffee in the heart of Rogers Park.

Mug down -- back to the menu.

Original Soul Vegetarian
"Served with cornbread and a fresh smile" tops my list of possible memoir titles and favorite entree descriptions at this soul food restaurant on Chicago's South Side. Here, food is social. Food is medicine. Food is over 30 years strong, family-owned and family-operated. This place creates comfort food that cares for mind, soul and stomach. With plant-based BBQ and an in-house juice bar, Soul Vegetarian proves "your health is your wealth."
#PBBL must: Down Home Greens
#PBBL budget: $$

First Slice Pie Cafe
The first time I saw this gem, I drove by so fast that I just barely grabbed the cross street. "Ashland and Balmoral, remember that!" Its stunning bay window grabbed my attention, and its patio, ridiculously well-stocked salad selection (beets on beets and mango jicama, all '70s-style) and vegan-izable everything stole my heart. The best part? First Slice's flavor reaches far beyond the plate: It fights hunger in Chicago by providing local, organic meals to the homeless.
#PBBL must: Black bean and mushroom tamales (just order them without queso fresco!)
#PBBL budget: $

Ras Dashen
I love Ethiopian food, but I'm obsessed with Ras Dashen. Why? Because it's positively vibrant. Jewel tones throughout. Plum wine. Pumpkin in berbere sauce. Extensive and clearly labeled vegan options. I consider food a true-and-tried Chicago staple if it tastes delicious in every season, and Ras Dashen meets the mark: spicy, pureed shirro stew has me sweating during unforgiving winters, and chilled, tangy yeqaysur salata saves me from the August heat.
#PBBL must: Pumpkin (Dupa) Wat and Misserana Bowmia
#PBBL budget: $$

Green Zebra
When I hear "flavor of love," I think of Green Zebra (fine, and a little Flavor Flav). All it takes is one slice of their flatbread, and you'll want to replace all marinara and cheese with crimson lentil dahl, curried eggplant and roasted cauliflower. The menu's seasonings have me head-over-heels for seasonal ingredients. Plus, the walls are plum. Palate and palette on point.
#PBBL must: Foraged maitake mushrooms and country flatbread
#PBBL budget: $$$

I also adore Upton's Breakroom, Urban Vegan, The Growling Rabbit and Green Corner. What's on your plant-based bucket list?

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These 11 Illinois Counties Have More Registered Voters Than Eligible Residents

Because of Illinois' rocky political past, people sometimes make jokes about deceased residents voting, and Chicago and Cook County are generally cited as the epicenters of such fraud. According to a report by The Public Interest Legal Foundation, however, 17 counties in Illinois have more registered voters than residents who are eligible to vote, and Cook County isn't even on that list.

The organization sent out statutory notice letters to the 17 Illinois counties, plus 124 others nationwide, informing them of the discrepancies and warning them that if the records weren't rectified, the foundation could sue the counties after 90 days for a violation of the National Voter Registration Act. The Public Interest Legal Foundation also says they are asking for more information in the letters.

A representative for the organization said:

"Corrupted voter rolls provide the perfect environment for voter fraud," said J. Christian Adams, President and General Counsel of PILF.  "Close elections tainted by voter fraud turned control of the United States Senate in 2009.  Too much is at stake in 2016 to allow that to happen again."

There are 21 states with over-registered counties. Michigan has the most with 24, though Illinois' 17 is not far behind, in third place. A few of Illinois' other neighbors also show too many voters: Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri were also on the list put on notice by the Public Interest Legal Foundation.

These are 7 of the 17 Illinois counties found to be harboring possibly fraudulent voting records along with their percentage of over-registration (where available), according to WJBC Radio:

• 
  
• Franklin County, 190 percent
• 
  
• Pulaski County, 176 percent
• 
  
• Washington County
• 
  
• Henderson County, 148 percent
• 
  
• Union County, 138 percent
• 
  
• Rock Island County, 133 percent
• 
  
• Alexander County, 130 percent
• 
  

To see 10 more of the 17 counties with more registered voters than eligible residents, check out Reboot Illinois.

NEXT ARTICLE: Think voter fraud is imaginary? Think again. 

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10 Ways Men Can Still Be MEN In Today's Society ... GRRRRR!

There were a lot of things that used to be considered manly that society has since taken away from dudes. Spitting, shooting randomly into the air, poking a wasps' nest with a stick, taking turns tasing each other for fun -- just let us be guys again!

Well, here are the manly things you can do as a guy that are still manly, according to the funny folks at The Other Stuff!

 

 

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Illinois lottery winners won't get their money till after budget is passed

The Illinois State Lottery's motto is "Anything's Possible."

Recent big winners, though, are getting a different message: "Anything's Possible As Soon As We Get a State Budget."

The Chicago Tribune reports today that winners of prizes of $25,000 and up have been told there's no money to pay them because the state has no budget to authorize prize payments. From the Tribune:

Under state law, the state comptroller must cut the checks for lottery winnings of more than $25,000. And lottery officials said that because lawmakers have yet to pass a budget, the comptroller's office does not have legal authority to release the funds.

Prizes of $25,000 or less will still be paid at lottery claim centers across the state, and people who win $600 or less can cash in their ticket at the place where they bought it.

But the bigger winners? Out of luck, for now.

The situation stems from the ongoing budget standoff between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the General Assembly. Rauner in May vetoed the budget sent to him by Democrats, saying it was $4 billion out of balance. Since then, Rauner has refused to negotiate on a budget until Democrats act on several economic and political reforms he says are necessary for the state's long-term financial health.

The state constitution says the comptroller can't issue any payments of any kind without a budget that authorizes those payments.

Read the rest at Reboot Illinois.

So lottery winners can be added to the list of people in whose best interest it is for the budget standoff to end as quickly as possible. But with so many conflicting personalities and policies in Springfield, a quick solution can seem less and less likely as the weeks drag on. Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association spotlights a column by Charlie Wheeler, a long-time Illinois public affairs reporter and journalism professor. Wheeler shared four steps to getting the state's budget talks back on track--check them out at Reboot Illinois.

NEXT ARTICLE: Editorial: Let Rauner do what he was elected to do

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A Thank You to Urban Prep Charter Academy's Fired Teachers

As a new school year is beginning at Urban Prep Charter Academies, I have had the opportunity to reflect on my time as an educator at Urban Prep's Englewood Campus. As I reflect on some of the people that have been so formative in my growth as an educator and as a person, my thoughts immediately go to the students and the faculty both past and present at Urban Prep. One of the students I got to know is now a college graduate, and a few months ago I saw something that he wrote on social media that really hurt me. In response to the firing of several teachers across the three Urban Prep campuses he wrote, "I thought Urban Prep wanted to help Young black men?" This student's comment stung because it struck a chord with my own feelings of pain and concern. I too was taken aback by the actions of Urban Prep in June.

Many of the educators who were let go were critical to my development as a teacher, and many of them were actively involved in the unionization efforts at Urban Prep. The vast majority of these teachers were black educators that were highly invested in Urban Prep. Of the 17 people that were fired at the end of the year, 13 of them were African-American. The average years of service at Urban Prep between the educators that were fired was about three years of service. Some of these teachers consistently pushed their students to achieve the highest growth on standardized testing across the Urban Prep network. A consistent theme among the highest performing teachers at Urban Prep is that they make strong relationships with their students. The student whose comment I mentioned earlier told me that he wrote this comment because he felt that the relationships he had built with those teachers were pivotal to his success. He felt that losing those teachers would greatly disadvantage his younger brothers at Urban Prep not being exposed to the educators that had built great relationships with him. The black educators that mentored me in my time at Urban Prep were some of the most competent in the skill of relationship building.

In my research of Urban Prep before applying for a teaching position, I came across a video clip, which may be removed as soon as this post becomes public, of Tim King, our founder and CEO, discussing the importance of black educators to the work of Urban Prep. I know that I have been profoundly shaped by all of my colleagues at Urban Prep, but none more so than the dedicated black educators of Urban Prep.

One of the black educators to whom I will forever be in debt is Natasha Robinson. Natasha was especially talented at building relationships with the students of Urban Prep. The relationships that students have to their teachers have been critical to the ability of Urban Prep to fulfill its mission. The students that I teach our wary of new teachers because these new teacher have not yet demonstrated a commitment to them. However, these same students are fiercely loyal and intensely invested in the educators that they have seen year after year. Natasha was the freshman lead teacher the year that I came to Urban Prep. She was the epitome of excellence in teaching. She took no nonsense from her students and challenged them academically. She is quite possibly one of the most efficient people that I know. When I was struggling to figure out a day's lesson within a unit, Natasha had already developed the summative assessment and created a detailed unit plan that she executed with precision. Had it not been for Natasha's guidance and support I would never have made it to six years of teaching English. She was my role model.

As a 7-year veteran of Urban Prep, I witnessed Natasha Robinson sacrifice endlessly for her students and the school. She went to the school on Saturday mornings to provide nourishment to our athletes, she invested countless hours in training our students in leadership classes, and she has donated of her time and money to support our school store. Urban Prep has always said that they value relationships; in fact, it is one of the 4 R's that is at the core of Urban Prep's work. Yet on June 19th, I was informed that Natasha Robinson's employment at Urban Prep had been terminated. Not only had her position been terminated, but several other black educators had been fired that same day.

Natasha taught me what it takes to educate black boys from marginalized neighborhoods. We had tough conversations about race and education by which I have been fundamentally changed. Natasha is just one of many black educators that have been formative in my understanding of how to effectively teach black children. As an Asian-American man, there is much that I will never fully understand about the challenges faced by African-Americans on a daily basis in this country. It was thanks to black educators like Natasha with her on-the-ground, informal professional development that helped me to grow into an educator that could capably reach my students.

Despite Urban Prep's rhetoric of gratitude to its teachers, dedicated educators -- including several African-American educators -- were fired on one day. What did they do to thank Natasha Robinson? They told her that she was not wanted at Urban Prep. It seems suspicious that a dedicated educator like Natasha would be asked not to return shortly after our vote to determine whether we should have a union. They fired Natasha Robinson, who suffered for seven long years as she wanted to do more for her students but was held back by the administration of Urban Prep. They fired Natasha Robinson, who defended her students that were marginalized and bullied because of their sexual orientation. They fired Natasha Robinson, whose impact as a black educator reaches beyond the impact on the students that she teaches because she invested in non-black educators like me so that they can best serve the young men of Urban Prep.

Unfortunately, Natasha is not the only teacher that was fired in June whose impact on Urban Prep is immeasurable. I could go on about LaTroy Farrow and how he developed a brand new Basketball program at Urban Prep-West into a team that competes at a high level in CPS. I could tell you about Mathias Muschal who essentially built the English department at Urban Prep-Bronzeville and helped to shape the english curriculum across the network. This is seemingly what Urban Prep does to educators that want to have a union. So Natasha Robinson, I need to say thank you. To all the educators, and especially the black educators, who were unceremoniously fired in June, I say thank you, because clearly the administration of Urban Prep won't.

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Creating Your Fall Eco-Minimalist Wardrobe

The arrival of cooler temps often signal a reassessment of our wardrobe from light, breezy pieces to keep cool in, to heavier, cozier items that insulate better. Being an eco-minimalist style maven means not only choosing materials that are fairly traded and sweatshop free, but also choosing well made apparel that needn't be replaced often, as well as retooling what you already own.

Minimalist-style blogger Caroline Rector, who coined the term "capsule wardrobe" posts photos of her seasonally changing 37-piece wardrobe on her blog "Un-Fancy". Every 3 months, she refreshes her minimalist wardrobe, and in doing so provides a wealth of mix and match styles to take her through the next season.

Rector explains her reasoning behind the 37-piece capsule wardrobe:

"To me, a capsule wardrobe represents more time and energy for what really matters (less time spent deciding what to wear/less time spent shopping/less time doing laundry or caring for clothes) more money for our dreams and helping others (less money spent on clothes that never get worn) and more contentment and happiness."

A capsule wardrobe can easily accommodate various styles and colors and both casual wear and office wear. If 37 pieces of clothing sound a bit constraining to you, here are some examples of just how varied a capsule wardrobe can be.

The majority of pieces that anchor the capsule wardrobe include loose tops and tanks in neutral colors, comfortable and stylish jeans and twill pants, soft sweater coats and vests, and classic footwear such as oxford shoes, riding boots, and pumps.

Accessories, (not included in the 37 piece count), provide extra pizzazz, color, and sparkle. Universally appealing shades like blush and nude, classic cuts with nautical stripes and boat necklines, chambray, washed denim, and charcoal knits provide the blank canvas. Just think: there's a reason the crisp, white shirt never goes out of style.

Shoes are one element of a capsule wardrobe that are most likely to wear out quickly, so more consideration should be put toward purchasing durable styles that can handle your particular climate and style needs, for example: a boot that looks rugged enough for the elements, but stylish enough for the office.

At least one comfortable, quality pair of heels or dress boots that can take you from day to night in comfort is also essential to a minimalist wardrobe. Ssh-oes are the fusion of science and fashion. Developed by designer Mary Arnett, whose background includes biotechnology and research and development, Ssh-oes promise to never make that ominous and often annoying "click-click" every time you step. They also boast memory foam padding and special lycra linings that provide all day comfort to your feet.

Arnett, says her interest in designing Ssh-oes was based on her desire to create "graceful silence" and woman-friendly footwear.

"The footwear industry is surprisingly male dominated so you have men designing heels for women without experiencing the fit, feel, and consequences of wearing that heel themselves ...The heel market has been stagnant for decades without any new innovation and improvements for women. There's cool technology in sneakers and safety boots coming out all time but nothing new in heels.

As a practical working woman, I wanted to create my version of the perfect heel that I could wear to work or a night out without the pain and annoying "click-y" noise.

...It's the elephant in the room that everyone hears but no one did anything about until now. We offer many styles in 2 inch which is hard to find since so many designers focus on higher, not walker friendly 4 inch stiletto heels."

A timeless pair of sneakers or low-key slip-ons can be worn for business casual days, as well as kicking around town running errands. Many of this season's sneaker styles come in neutrals like dusky grey, burnt umber, and tone on tone Ikat patterns that blend chic looks with tennis shoe squish.

No minimalist capsule wardrobe is complete without a few key accessories to bring out the versatility of your anchor basics. At this time of the year, woolen winter accessories and infinity scarves often upstage statement jewelry.

The right scarf or wrap can change the look of an outfit in seconds. Even a beginner DIY style maven can sew a basic fabric infinity scarf in only 5 minutes with this simple pattern. Other updated knit scarf styles this fall include triangular and asymmetric stoles that can be worn in multiple ways. The angular cut of these new styles leans toward a more drapey silhouette, and away from the bulky, overpowering, "swarm of yarn" look of previous seasons.

A little planning can minimize any impulse buys during the season and make the most of your eco-minimalist capsule wardrobe. Rector created this downloadable wardrobe planner to help readers narrow down their favorite styles based on current needs, available items, and budget.

If budget is a significant constraint when designing your capsule wardrobe, frequent thrift stores, consignment shops, or plan a clothing swap with your close friends to exchange items that still have life in them, but have worn their owner's welcome.

Now go spend the time you save not shopping for 3 months on friends, family, and fall fun!

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28 Art Shows You Need To See This Fall

As we approach Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer, the only thing motivating us to open our laptops and begin another day anew is the thought of a new season of art exhibitions. Well, maybe that and the promise of cooler temperatures. But the slate of fall art shows is considerably high on our list of autumnal things to look forward to.

In anticipation of fall, we scoured the calendars -- one editor on the East coast, one writer on the West -- and came up with 20 exhibitions (and eight honorable mentions) we're excited to ogle over the next few months. Whether you're in New York or Los Angeles, New Orleans or Detroit, St. Louis or Fort Worth, here's your guide to getting down with art in September and beyond.

1. "Spirit and Matter: Islamic Art" (Dallas, Texas)

What: "Spirit and Matter: Masterpieces from the Keir Collection of Islamic Art"
Where: Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas, Texas
When: Sept. 18, 2015 to July 31, 2016 
Why: Islamic art is still radically underrepresented in the museum world. This expansive show features 13 centuries' worth of work from three continents of Islamic artists. Expect artworks ranging from rock crystals to carpets to textiles, capturing the stunning diversity of the Islamic experience then and now.
Also on view: Jackson Pollock and Irving Penn

 

2. "The Big Hope Show" (Baltimore, Maryland)

What: "The Big Hope Show"
Where: American Museum of Visionary Art in Baltimore, Maryland
When: Oct. 3, 2015 to Sept. 4, 2016
Why: This uber-happy exhibit, marking the 20th anniversary of the AMVA, features the work of visionary and self-taught artists who have suffered from extreme trauma, and have used their powers of creative expression to overcome. The show features everyone from outsider artist and extreme dog lover Bobby Adams to The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, who apparently discovered his creative fire after surviving a robbery while working as a fry cook. Who knew?

3. Joyce Pensato (Fort Worth, Texas)

What: "FOCUS: Joyce Pensato"
Where: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in Forth Worth, Texas
When: Nov.21, 2015 to Jan. 31, 2016
Why: Pensato's subjects include Homer Simpson, Batman, and Kyle of "South Park." She transforms these iconic American cartoon figures into menacing and peculiar beasts, using sweeping black-and-white brush strokes reminiscent of Abstract Expressionism and street art. Her dark cartoon mania is sure to please any art lover and her creepy uncle. 
Also on view: Kehinde Wiley, Frank Stella and KAWS

4. "Rebel Rebel" (Seattle, Washington)

What: "Rebel Rebel"
Where: Seattle Art Museum in Seattle, Washington
When: Aug. 29, 2015 to Dec. 13, 2015
Why: Do you even have to ask? This feminist exhibition features artists who've fought gender stereotypes and cliches since the 1960s, especially as they apply to female artists. Giving a large F.U. to established ideas of the male genius and the woman as muse, artists including Victoria Haven, Ann Leda Shapiro and Dawn Cerny show that women artists don't take no crap from nobody.

5. "Earth Machines" (San Francisco, California)

What: "Earth Machines"
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, California
When: Aug. 14, 2015 to Dec. 6, 2015
Why: How are all the laptops, cell phones and other techno-gadgets we've become so obsessed with and dependent on changing the future of our planet? A variety of contemporary artists in disparate media consider the dark repercussions of our choices, exploring issues including rare earth mining, the disposal of e-waste and the long-term decomposition of tech products.
Also on view: Won Ju Lim and "Radical Presence"

6. Sheila Hicks (St. Louis, Missouri)

What: Sheila Hicks
Where: Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri
When: Sept. 11 to Dec. 27, 2015
Why: For almost 60 years, Paris-based, American-born artist Sheila Hicks has been exploring the potential to play with traditional textile techniques including weaving, crocheting, dying and spinning. Over the years Hicks has created her own visual language, navigating the texture, color and unorthodox possibilities of her weaved abstractions. Using everything from natural fibers to rubber bands, Hicks transformed a traditional craft into an endless avant-garde experiment. 
Also on view: "Hurvin Anderson: Backdrop," "Wyatt Kahn: Object Paintings," "Street Views: Marilyn Minter"

7. Ishiuchi Miyako (Los Angeles, California)

What: "Ishiuchi Miyako: Postwar Shadows"
Where: The Getty Center in Los Angeles, California
When: Oct. 6, 2015 to Feb. 21, 2016
Why: Self-taught Japanese photographer Miyako is known for her stunning images documenting life in her hometown of Yokosuka, where the U.S. Navy had set up base. The grainy, black-and-white images present a haunting depiction of political realities mixed with childhood fears, hopes, shadows and memories. The exhibit will also include images from Miyako's most recent series, which revisits children's clothing and other artifacts from the time of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, 70 years ago.
Also on view: "The Younger Generation: Contemporary Japanese Photography," "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Food in the Middle Ages and Renaissance," "Art of the Fold: Drawings of Drapery and Costume"

8. Njideka Akunyili Crosby (Los Angeles, California)

What: Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Where: The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California.
When: Oct. 3, 2015 to Nov. 21, 2015
Why: Crosby, a Nigerian-born artist, fuses African and American culture in her collage-painting-printing hybrids, referencing her life as an expatriate in the contemporary age. The works offer a crucial counterpoint to the often dismal depictions of Africa in the west.
Also on view: "UH OH: Frances Stark," "The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris," "Hammer Projects: Avery Singer"

9. "Hippie Modernism" (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

What: "Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia"
Where: The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
When: Oct. 24, 2015 to Feb. 28, 2016
Why: If the title isn't enough to intrigue you, the exhibition will chronicle the art, architecture and design of the counterculture of the 1960s and early 1970s, including everything from experimental furniture, alternative living structures, retro magazines and books, and archival films.
Also on view: "International Pop"

10. "Transmissions: Art in Eastern Europe and Latin America, 1960–1980" (New York, New York)

What: "Transmissions: Art in Eastern Europe and Latin America, 1960–1980"
Where: The Museum of Modern Art in New York 
When: Sept. 5, 2015 to Jan. 3, 2016
Why: "Transmissions" focuses on artists and art communities in Eastern Europe and Latin American during the 1960s and '70s who emphasized creation outside of a market context. If you're into radical, experimental and subversive post-WWII art, this is the MoMA show for you.
Also on view: "Picasso Sculpture"

11. Photographic Portraits from West Africa (New York, New York)

What: "In and Out of the Studio Photographic Portraits from West Africa"
Where: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York
When: Aug. 31, 2015 to Jan. 3, 2016
Why: Experience 100 years of portrait photography in West Africa through a series of 80 photographs taken between the 1870s and the 1970s by amateur and professional photographers active from Senegal to Cameroon and from Mali to Gabon.

12. Becky Suss (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

What: Becky Suss
Where: The Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When: Sept. 16, 2015 to Dec. 27, 2015
Why: Philly-born and Philly-raised, Suss reimagines the domestic spaces of her relatives, flattening the physical spaces of her memories and filling them up with skewed perspectives and historic kitsch. 
Also on view: Josephine Pryde and Christopher Knowles

 

13. "Class Distinctions: Dutch Painting in the Age of Rembrandt and Vermeer" (Boston, Massachusetts)

What: "Class Distinctions: Dutch Painting in the Age of Rembrandt and Vermeer"
Where: The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts
When: Oct. 11, 2015 to Jan. 18, 2016
Why: The exhibition will feature 75 Dutch paintings from the 17th century that depict not just princes and paupers, but all walks of Dutch societal life from over 400 years ago. Art history nerds, this show will cover the gorgeous colors and brushworks of Rembrandt and his ilk, as well as the class narratives embedded in each of their paintings.

 

14. "Shadows and Dreams: Pictorialist Photography in America" (Cleveland, Ohio)

What: "Shadows and Dreams: Pictorialist Photography in America"
Where: The Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio
When: Sept. 5, 2015 to Jan. 17, 2016
Why: The Pictorialists were known for their eagerness to strip photography of its constraints and infuse the medium with as much personal expression as abstract painting or sculpture, striving to be less reporters and documentarians and more photographic illustrators and visual pioneers. Here is a happy summary of the movement and its impact on American art.
Also on view: "Music Videos II" and "Silent Poetry: Masterworks of Chinese Painting"

 

15. Deana Lawson (Chicago, Illinois)

What: "Deana Lawson: Ruttenberg Contemporary Photography Series"
Where: The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
When: Sept. 5, 2015 to Jan. 10, 2016
Why: New York-based photographer Deana Lawson has spent over 10 years exploring the ways in which black culture has been portrayed visually across the world, through staged images and found candids alike. She's captured photographs in her hometown of Brooklyn as well as places in Louisiana, Haiti, Jamaica, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Also on view: "Gates of the Lord: The Tradition of Krishna Paintings" and Charles Ray

 

16. "Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion" (Atlanta, Georgia)

What: Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion
Where: The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia
When: Nov. 7, 2015 to May 15, 2016
Why: This will be the first U.S. museum exhibition of work by the Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen. From haute couture to 3D printing, this is a show for any aspiring fashion devotees in and around Atlanta.

17. "30 Americans" (Detroit, Michigan)

What: "30 Americans"
Where: Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, Michigan
When: Oct. 18, 2015 to Jan. 18, 2016
Why: Where else can you see Kerry James Marshall, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kara Walker, Nick Cave, Kehinde Wiley, Carrie Mae Weems, Robert Colescott, Glen Ligon and Lorna Simpson all in one place? "30 Americans" is celebrating 30 years of art by African Americans, focusing on issues of racial, political, historical and gender identity.

 

18. "No Boundaries: Aboriginal Australian Contemporary Abstract Painting" (Miami, Florida)

What: "No Boundaries: Aboriginal Australian Contemporary Abstract Painting"
Where: Perez Art Museum in Miami, Florida
When: Sept. 17, 2015 to Jan. 3, 2016
Why: Here are the names of nine Aboriginal Australian artists you've probably never heard of: Paddy Bedford, Janangoo Butcher Cherel, Tommy Mitchell, Ngarra, Boxer Milner Tjampitjin, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Tjumpo Tjapanangvka, Billy Joongoorra Thomas, and Prince of Wales (Midpul). If you've ever wanted an introduction into the amazing world of Aboriginal abstraction, head to Miami.

19. "Orientalism: Taking and Making" (New Orleans, Louisiana)

What: "Orientalism: Taking and Making"
Where: The New Orleans Museum of Art in New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Through Dec. 31, 2015
Why: While the pop culture and fashion worlds at large grapple with what it means to appropriate traditions from historically oppressed cultures, NOMA is addressing "shades of oppression, racism, and superficial cultural understanding" found in 19th-century Orientalist paintings, photographs and decorative arts.

20. "Louise Bourgeois: No Exit" (Washington, D.C.)

What: "Louise Bourgeois: No Exit"
Where: The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
When: November 15, 2015 to May 15, 2016
Why: It's Louise Bourgeois, do you need another reason? 

 

8 Honorable mentions:

• 
  
• "Takehisa Kosugi: Music Expanded" at the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York, New York)
• 
  
• "Super Indian: Fritz Scholder, 1967–1980" at the Denver Art Museum (Denver, Colorado)
• 
  
• "Barbara Rossi: Poor Traits" at the New Museum (New York, New York)
• 
  
• "Rising Up: Hale Woodruff's Murals at Talladega College" at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts (Kansas City, Missouri)
• 
  
• "Impressionism and the Caribbean: Francisco Oller and His Transatlantic World" at the Brooklyn Museum (Brooklyn, New York)
• 
  
• "Esther Bubley Up Front" at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington, D.C.)
• 
  
• "Imagining Home" at the Baltimore Museum of Art (Baltimore, Maryland)
• 
  
• "Martin Wong: Human Instamatic" at the Bronx Museum of the Arts (New York, New York)
• 
  

 

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