Exhibitions / News
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Upcoming Exhibitions / News
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Presence and Absence: The Space Between
Presence and Absence: The Space Between
Group Exhibition
Curated by Indira Freitas Johnson
Evanston Art Center
1717 Central Street, Evanston, Illinois
July 6 - August 2, 2026
Opening Reception: Sunday, July 12, 2026, 1-4pmI'm honored to be asked by artist and curator Indira Freitas Johnson to exhibit in the group exhibition, Presence and Absence: The Space Between at the Evanston Arts Center in July, 2026. In addition to me, the curator selected the artists Selva Aparcio, Nirmal Raja, Connie Noyes, Cathi Schwalbe, Alfonso Piloto Nieves, and Cynthia Kerby, then provided an open call to others. The invited artists' pieces serve as anchors to the other artworks, all revolving around what Freitas Johnson describes as "an exhibition that celebrates life’s vibrancy while acknowledging its temporary and ever-changing nature. It grapples with mortality, the persistence of memory, and visions of what lies beyond—inviting viewers to journey through interpretations of life’s impermanence and the spiritual connections that transcend physical existence."
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Green Garnet Press Residency
I look forward to working with Christine Forni and her Green Garnet Press Residency Program this fall. She will be guiding me in making some monoprints. A group exhibition with other artists from the program will be featured at Ignition Projects in November.
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Past Exhibitions / News
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Marking Time
Marking Time
Joanne Aono, Max King Cap, and Michael Dinges
Curated by Steven CarrelliThe Plan
610 North Albany, Chicago, Illinois
November 14 - December 21, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, November 14th 6-10pm
Viewing Hours: Sundays noon-4pm (except November 30) -
Chicago Reader Article
Writer Kerry Cardoza featured Bray Grove Farm and my art in the Chicago Reader. Photos by Kirk Williamson.
Chicago Reader Cultivators -
Threads and Granules
Threads and Granules
Joanne Aono and Sofía Fernández-Díaz
Curated by Jennifer MannebachO'Connor Art Gallery at Dominican University
7900 W. Division Street, River Forest, Illinois
January 15 - February 19, 2025
Opening Reception: Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 4-6pm
Artist Talk at 4:30pm
Gallery Day with the Artists: Saturday, February 15, 2025, 3-5pm
Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 – 5, Saturday*, 11 – 4, Free and open to all
More Information -
Symphonia: Dialogues of Landscape, Ritual and Resilience
Symphonia: Dialogues of Landscape, Ritual and Resilience
Joanne Aono, Karen Azarnia, Jon Seals, and Michelle WassonYale Institute of Sacred Music
Miller Hall, 406 Prospect Street New Haven, CT 06511
January 22 - March 6, 2025
On view Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12-4pm
Opening Reception: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 5pmCo-curated by Karen Azarnia and Jon Seals
Sponsored by the Institute of Sacred Music's Religion, Ecology, and Expressive Culture Initiative
More Information -
Panel Discussion: How to Make a Scene
How to Make a Scene is a conversation series about artist-run cultural ecosystems of the 1980s and 1990s in Chicago.
Moderator:
Jen De Los Reyes
Panelists:
Joanne Aono (Cultivator - Chicago Art Exhibitions & Farm Art Projects)
Brian Holmes & Claire Pentecost (Watershed Art and Ecology)
Live and in-person at Co-Prosperity
Saturday, July 27, 2024
3:00pm-5:00pm CDT
Talk is at 3:30-4:30
3219 S MORGAN ST, Chicago, IL 60608
Click to view video recording -
Arts Midwest Article and Video
Article written by Lydia Moran and film produced by Eric Scott Fisher about how my art, curating, and farm all come together.
JoanneAonoArtsMidwestLink -
Past Perfect Print Fundraiser
As part of the Riverside Arts Center's team, I'm honored to be asked to provide a piece of art for the Print Fundraiser, curated by Paul D'Amato. The limited edition, signed prints are available as part of portfolio or as individual prints. Joined by fellow artists, Alice Hargrave, Erin Washington, Laura Husar Garcia, Oli Watt, Michelle Wasson, Tony Phillips, Nancy Hejna, Paul D'Amato, Kelli Connell & Natalie Krick, Jennifer Taylor, and Riva Lehrer, it's a thrill to be able to support a venue for artists.
Purchase -
Prairie Harvest
Prairie Harvest
Solo exhibition in the Dickson Window Project Space, Waubonsee Community College
4S783 IL-47, Sugar Grove, IL 60554
August 3 - October 13, 2023
Artist Talk Slide Presentation: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 2pm -
In Reciprocity, Humans & Nature
In Reciprocity, Humans & Nature
Visual Arts Gallery at Governors State University
1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois
Exhibition with Joanne Aono, Christine Forni, and Deanna Krueger, curated by Sherri Denault
March 8 - April 7, 2023
Artist Talk and Closing Reception: Thursday, April 6, 2023 at noon -
Prairie Passage Solo Exhibition
Geneva Center for the Arts
321 Stevens Street, Suite Q, Geneva, Illinois
On View: January 3 - February 9, 2023
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday noon - 3pm
Reception: Friday, January 20, 2023
Artist Talk: Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 2PM
Curated by Rita Grendze
Prairie Passage is a solo exhibition consisting of drawings and an installation referencing the wild and cultivated plants that have grown on the prairie, providing food for the area's inhabitants throughout history. The installation will create a passageway alluding to time, food sources, and nature along the Fox River and former Potawatomi trail.
Chicago Reader Review by Parker Yamasaki
Daily Herald Article
Fox Valley ArtBEAT article -
Prairie Past Solo Exhibition
Geneva Public Library
227 South 7th Street, Geneva, Illinois
December 11, 2022 - February 9, 2023
A small satellite exhibtion in conjunction with the solo exhibition at the Geneva Center for the Arts.
Artist Talk: Wednesday, January 18, 2023, 7PM
Joanne Aono will discuss her art, its relationship to living and working on a small farm, and how that informed her art about nature and food sources of the prairie. -
Nature Lovers Group Exhibition
South Shore Arts
1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana
Nature Lovers Group exhibition curated by Linda Dorman and Tom Torluemke with artists Joanne Aono, Em'rynn Artuian, Zbigniew Bzdak, Tony Fitzpatrick, Corey Hagelberg, Peggy Macnamara, William Nichols, Casey Roberts, and Catherine Schwalbe
June 23 - August 27, 2022
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 23, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Nature Stories: Thursday, July 7, 7:00pm
I'll be presenting at the 20 x 20 slideshow night of micro talks relating to stories about nature. -
boundary Five Year Anniversary Exhibition
boundary Project Space
2334 West 111th Place, Chicago, Illinois
Group exhibition of past boundary artists curated by Susannah Papish
June 18 - July 30, 2022
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 18, 6-9pm -
Curator of Unseen Things Are Still There
Riverside Arts Center Freeark Gallery + Sculpture Garden
March 27 - April 9, 2022
Featuring Alexandra Antoine, JB Daniel, Kate Ingold, Esau McGhee, and Elsa Muñoz
I wrote an essay and produced the exhibition catalogue
The exhibition was reviewed by Kerry Cardoza for Newcity -
Guest Curator of "Care" at the Geneva Center for the Arts
I'm honored to be asked to curate the first exhibition at the new Geneva Center for the Arts. Care features the art of Karen Azarnia, Brenda Barnum, and Cydney M. Lewis.
321 Stevens Street, suite Q, Geneva, Illinois
October 15 - November 19, 2021
Opening Reception Friday, October 15, 2021, 6-8pm
Curator and Artists' Talk Thursday, November 11, 2021
Fox Valley ArtBEAT article on curating Care -
Curator of Cultivator - Steven Carrelli and Yoonshin Park
Cultivator at Bray Grove Farm
Steven Carrelli - Marginalia
Yoonshin Park - Passing hours, space in between, I am breathing your air
Sunday, September 19, 2021, 2-5pm -
Solo exhibition - Harvesting Ethnic Roots
boundary
2334 West 111th Place, Chicago
Curated by Susannah Papish
April 17 - June 5, 2021
Masked and physically distanced viewing by appointment
Outdoor Closing reception Saturday, June 5th 6-9pm (no appointment needed)
This program partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
"Harvesting Ethnic Roots" Review in Visual Art Source by Robin Dluzen
"Harvesting Ethnic Roots" article in Chicago Tribune's Daily Southtown written by Carol Flynn
Top V Weekend Picks - Bad at Sports -
Lumpen Magazine
Artist and farmer at heart, Catherine Schwalbe asked us to write about our rural life on Bray Grove Farm, Cultivator, and art.
Five Midwest Folks pages 34-36. -
Artist's Talk for Arts on the Block
I was happy to present to Arts on the Block, a Washington DC based arts organization providing hands on training for youth to develop artistic and real-world skills for their futures.
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Slowly, With Care
O'Connor Art Gallery, Dominican University
7900 W. Division St, River Forest, Illinois
Group exhibition with Sherri Denault, Holly Holmes, Kate Ingold, Jeffly Gabriela Molina, and Gwendolyn Zabicki, curated by Karen Azarnia
January 29 - March 6, 2020
Opening Reception Wednesday, January 29, 4 - 7pm, Artists' talk at 4:30pm -
Wetlands Elegy - Solo exhibition
Mosnart, 11319 S. St Lawrence Ave, Chicago, Illinois
Host and Curator, JB Daniel
Terrain Biennial
October - December 2019
Chicago Magazine Article by Malvika Jolly
Bad At Sports Top V Weekend Picks -
Members' Show
Riverside Arts Center, Freeark Gallery
32 East Quincy, Riverside, Illinois
June 23 - July 27, 2019 -
Untitled (House) Exhibition
Illinois State Museum
Norton Building, 201 West 10th Street, Lockport, Illinois
Art from the Diane and Browne Goodwin Collection
October 28 - April 9, 2019 -
I Am American
Freeport Art Museum
121 North Harlem Avenue, Freeport, Illinois
Group exhibition curated by Sergio Gomez
March 1 - April 13, 2019 -
Curator and Catalogue Essay for Riverside Arts Center
Gathering - Indira Freitas Johnson and Garland Martin Taylor
Riverside Arts Center
32 East Quincy Street, Riverside, Illinois
September 7 - October 6, 2018
In addition to curating the exhibition, I wrote the essay and produced the catalogue (available for purchase). -
Members Show
Riverside Arts Center Freeark Gallery
32 East Qunicy Street, Riverside, Illinois
July 1 - 28, 2018 -
Interview with Voyage Chicago
http://voyagechicago.com/interview/meet-joanne-aono-joanne-aono-southwest-chicago/
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I AMerican
Tallgrass Arts Association Gallery, Park Forest, Illinois
Group exhibition curated by Sergio Gomez
June 15 - July 21, 2018 -
Terrain Biennial
October 10 - November 5, 2017
277 and 280 Gage Road, Riverside, Illinois
Collaborative outdoor installation for the Terrain Biennial with Kristine Aono
Curated by Anne Harris
Reception and artists' talk Sunday, November 5, 3-5pm -
Dreaming Bigger in Strange Times
Woman Made Gallery
Lacuna in Pilsen, 2150 S Canalport # 4A-3, Chicago
November 10 - December 16, 2017
Group invitational curated by Joyce Owens -
I AMerican
Gallery 201 at Argonne National Laboratories, Lemont, Illinois
Curated by Sergio Gomez
June 28 - September 15, 2017 -
A Woman's View
Gallery 201 at Argonne National Laboratories
March 15 - June 9, 2017
Curated by Mary Bookwalter, Janice Meister, and Carol Weber
Group exhibition with Joanne Aono, Jennifer Cronin, Sherri Denault, Lisa Goesling, Laura Lein-Svencner, Joyce Morishita, and Beth Shadur -
Attention is the Beginning of Devotion
Victorian House Art Gallery, Bourbonnais, Illinois
Two person exhibition with Kate Ingold, curated by Sherri Denault
April 3 - May 4, 2017
Review by Nicole Pilbeam for the Daily Journal -
The Mind's I
Anne Harris' Drawing Project
Ed Paschke Art Center
5415 West Higgins Avenue, Chicago
February 4 - May 21, 2017 -
I AMerican - Group Exhibition
Schoenherr Gallery, North Central College, Naperville, IL
Curated by Sergio Gomez
October 21 - December 11, 2016 -
An Unexpected Pause
Collaboration with Kate Ingold, Group invitational of site specific outdoor art, Sherri Denault curator
Perry Farm Park, Bourbonnais, Illinois
August 26 - October 7, 2016 -
Olivet Nazarene Biennial Juror
Applications accepted through July 15, 2016
Opening Reception with Juror's remarks October 14, 6-8pm -
23rd Evanston + Vicinity Biennial
Evanston Art Center
Lela Hersh, Monique Meloche, and Lorelei Stewart, Jurors
July 15 - August 28, 2016 -
Neutral Ground: Somewhere Between Black and White
Tallgrass Arts Association Gallery, Park Forest, IL
Group exhibition curated by Mary Bookwalter
June 17 – July 23, 2016 -
Cut & Sown
Firecat Projects
Two-person exhibition with Raeleen Kao
February 26 - March 19, 2016
Jason Foumberg selects our show for Chicago Magazine's Best of February list
Reviewed in Louise and Maurice -
Sabina Ott - Who Cares for the Sky?
Hyde Park Art Center Chicago
Invited by Sabina Ott to submit a small piece to her monumental installation.
February 21 - May 1, 2016 -
One Inspired Evening
Benefit Auction for Inspiration Corporation
Juried by Stan Klein, Deborah Maris Lader, and Steven E. Gross
March 19, 2016 -
What Is Drawing?
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I AMerican - Group Exhibition
Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa
November 12, 2015 - January 1, 2016 -
The People's Show
Illinois State Museum Lockport
July 31 - October ?, 2015 -
Moonlight Masquerade
Art Auction for Riverside Art Center
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Online Auction -
FORM: Art + Floral
Benefit for Snow City Arts
Chez, 247 East Ontario, Chicago
April 14, 2015 -
Pro-Text Art: When Words Enter Visual Art
Illinois State Museum Springfield Gallery
Curated by Robert Sill
Reception Friday. March 13th 5:30-8pm
March 8 - September 13, 2015 -
I AMerican - Group Exhibition
Zhou B Art Center, Chicago
Curated by Sergio Gomez
I AMerican
January 16 - February 14, 2015 -
Pro-Text Art: When Words Enter Visual Art
Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery
James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street
Curated by Robert Sill
September 8, 2014 through February 6, 2015
Doug Stapleton, Gallery Talk, Wednesday, September 24 noon
Robert Sill, Curator's Talk, Wednesday, October 15 noon
Artists Joanne Aono & Kate Ingold, in conversation with Doug Stapleton, Wednesday, November 19 noon
Chicago Tonight, WTTW write-up by Marc Vitali -
Inside Space - Group Exhibition
Riverside Art Center
Curated by Anne Harris
September 7 - October 4, 2014
Artists Panel Discussion with Anne Harris, Joanne Aono, Paula Crown,
Susanne Doremus, Carrie Gundersdorf, Jason Lazarus, and Jin Lee
Saturday, September 27, 4-6pm -
I AMerican - Group Exhibition
Governor's State University Art Gallery, University Park, IL
Curated by Sergio Gomez
I AMerican
August 25 - September 30, 2014
Examiner review of my diptych by Jeff Stevenson and Jessica Roeda -
Rockford Midwestern Biennial
Rockford Art Museum
William Lieberman, Zolla Lieberman Gallery, Juror
May 16 - September 28, 2014 -
22nd Evanston + Vicinity Biennial
Evanston Art Center, 2603 Sheridan Road
Allison Peters Quinn and Sergio Gomez, jurors
June 8 - July 20, 2014 -
"I AMerican" Group Exhibition
White Ripple Gallery, Hammond, Indiana
Curated by Sergio Gomez
I AMerican
June 14 - August 2, 2014 -
Words We Live By
Multi-venue group show curated by Larry Lee
White Box Studio Gallery, 4813 N Central Park
June 6 - July 4, 2014 -
"I AMerican" Group Exhibition
Water Street Studios Gallery, Batavia, Illinois
Curated by Sergio Gomez
January 24 - March 30, 2014 -
One Inspired Evening
Benefit Auction for Inspiration Corporation
Juried by Stan Klein, Deborah Maris Lader, and Steven E. Gross
March 7, 2014 -
One & 1 - Solo Exhibition
Images Gallery, Chicago
January 27 - February 23, 2014
Read Sergio Gomez's blog entry about the show here -
Hyperallergic Review of 1 & One
Article by Philip Hartigan on my solo exhibition at the Lee Dulgar Gallery
An Artist Who Merges Minimalisms -
1 & One - Solo Exhibition
Lee Dulgar Gallery
South Holland, Illinois
September 23 - October 18, 2013
Artist Talk - Wednesday, October 2
1 & One Portfolio
Installation Images
Video link -
Living Our Culture: A Celebration of Japanese American Art and Culture
Floating World Gallery, Chicago
Curated by Laura Kina
June 6, 2013 -
Inspiration Corporation - One Enchanted Evening
Benefit Juried Auction, Stan Klein, Steven E. Gross, Deborah Maris Lader Jurors
March 8, 2013 -
Group Show
Prak-Sis Gallery, Chicago
December 2012 - January 2013 -
The Mind's I
Julius Caesar Gallery, Chicago
Anne Harris Drawing Project
November - December 2012 -
South Shore Arts 69th Salon
South Shore Arts, Munster Indiana
Juried by Daniel Schulman
September 16 - October 28, 2012 -
Ravenswood Artwalk
Open Studio at 4636 North Ravenswood, #204
Saturday, September 29th and Sunday, September 30th -
Ways of Making
Visual Arts Gallery, Governors State University, University Park, IL
Aaron Ott and |www.jasonfoumberg.com|Jason Foumberg|, jurors
June 4 - 23, 2012 -
Continuing On and On . . .
Dayton Street, Chicago
Exhibition with Neha Vedpathak, Kate Lewis, and Karen Appleton
May 19, 2012 -
Dualities Exhibition
Brenda Barnum & Joanne Aono
Eyeporium Gallery, Chicago
January 13 - February 29, 2012
Art review by Paul Klein in Huffington Post -
RavensHood 2011, 2-Person Exhibition
Images Gallery, Chicago
June 2012
Art Letter review -
34th Beverly Art Exhibition
Chicago
Jurors Linda Warren and Don Southard
November 5 - December 27, 2010 -
BamBUDDHAed!
Portage ARTspace, Chicago
Curated by Johanna Silva and Larry Lee
October 16 - November 20, 2010 -
In Other Words
Solo Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings
South Shore Arts, Munster, Indiana
August 13 - October 10, 2010
Northwest Indiana Times Review
Artist Talk, September 27, 2010, 10am -
Continuing On . . .
Solo Exhibition
303 West Erie Art Space
Chicago's River North Gallery District
April - June 2010 -
Studio Visit Magazine
December 2009
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International Art Open
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Yolanda Lopez -Juror
March 6 - April 16, 2009 -
Neoteric Art Interview
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65th Annual Salon Show
South Shore Arts, Munster, Indiana
William Lieberman, Zolla Lieberman Gallery -Juror
Founders Award Recipient
September 28 - November 2, 2008 -
Chicago Art Open
Merchandise Mart, Chicago
October 3 - 19, 2008 -
Juried Group Show
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago
Corrine D. Peterson -Juror
August 1 - 28, 2008 -
Summer
Contemporary Art Workshop, Chicago
June 27 - August 8, 2008