Intuit Art Museum is a cultural experience not to be missed -- for Chicago buffs and newcomers alike. It champions self-taught and outsider artists with sincerity and respect, giving voice to those who have forged their own artistic paths. The works presented here lack nothing in skill, beauty, ingenuity, or eloquence. The exhibition Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago deepened my understanding of the city's history and connects meaningfully to conversations about immigration today. Barberena's linocuts are especially striking, emotional, and deeply resonant. Other highlights from my visit included a beautiful commissioned work by Della Wells, stunning fiber art by Pooja Pittie, and the dazzling portraits of Drossos Skyllas, shimmering with character and skill. Henry Darger's story -- and the work itself -- is haunting in the best, most imaginative way. Our tour with Claire was outstanding: passionate, informed, and clearly invested in the artists' lives and contexts. I highly recommend getting a tour! I left inspired and grateful that a museum like this exists. Strongly recommend. read more

This hidden gem is absolutely worth a visit. The layout is beautifully designed, making it easy to navigate and appreciate the collection without feeling overwhelmed. The displays are incredibly engaging, and the overall atmosphere is welcoming and peaceful. I was thoroughly impressed by how well everything was curated. The only slight downside was that the descriptions for a few exhibits felt a bit brief, and I would have loved just a little more background context on those pieces. Still, it is a fantastic cultural spot with great energy. I really enjoyed my time here and would definitely suggest stopping by if you are in the area. read more

Intuit Art Museum has recently completed a massive renovation that expanded the facility threefold or so. Intuit features self-taught art by artists many of whom have a Chicagoland connection. My lovely wife and I have been to the "old" museum before, and it was an eye-opener to visit yesterday (Memorial Day) during a special free admission Grand Re-Opening weekend (the regular admission fee has also tripled to $15 from its former $5 ticket price). The star attraction is the recreation of Henry Darger's apartment and studio, along with a celebration of his works and methodologies. There are also spaces for the interesting and diverse Permanent Collection, as well as Special Exhibitions. Also interesting is the fact that the museum featuring self-taught art has bathrooms with fairly posh fixtures. Intuit Art Museum is not far from the Chicago Blue Line station. Check out the compact but cute gift shop before you leave. read more

A museum that celebrates the self-taught, accepts the "outsider" and values intuitive art. Current exhibit focuses on the im/migrants of Chicago. At the time of my visit, the entrance fee was $15. I live that I was able to see every piece in the museum display within 2 hours. Worth it read more

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Good museum for those who like to look at art but without spending a whole lot of time looking at it. Intuit is a pretty small place that's more like an art gallery than a museum. Mostly photography but there's some other interesting objects. Just pay a few bucks to look around. There's some pretty creative and interesting kinds of things. A place like this makes it hard to know a museum is here. It has a pretty nondescript entrance through a door on the side of a factory or warehouse of some kind. This is located on Ogden at Milwaukee. Has a pretty simple layout. It's $5 admission, which is pretty worth it truthfully. Has a large photography collection. There's also various collections and sculptures. Lots of other media such as films. The majority though is photography. A lot of it's by Ted Degener, who photographed quirky roadside attractions. These photographs feature the owner of these strange but fun places. Has a lot of things to check out to be honest. It's good for fans of photography. There's other things like painted hats and whatever. Get read more

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I saw a poster for this museum as I was on the train in from O'Hare and so glad that I went. It's not a huge place but the remodel is great and their exhibits are very good. I also liked the young staff who were so knowledgeable and friendly. Great small gift shop with good books and some unique earrings. I'll always make this a stop when I am in town. Don't miss this. Then have a good lunch at the Windy City diner just down the street! read more

Very nice small museum displaying art from outsiders - those who don't have formal training and are not known or appreciated by the mainstream, yet. Entrance is only $5. It's a good one hour stop. read more

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We learned about this place while perusing the Atlas Obscura website in search of off-the-beaten-path cultural opportunities during our week in Chicago, and a place to get away from the crowds at the Art Institute or the other more popular locations around the city. It was certainly worth the effort. You're not likely to stumble across the museum by accident. It's located in an evolving commercial/industrial area that now is home to several residences, and businesses that cater to this community are starting to emerge. The museum is not prominently marked, and it wasn't until we were directly in front of the door that we realized that we had arrived. As the museum name very clearly states, this is a niche museum for alternative art. Of course, it's kinda hard to define exactly what is meant by that, as artistic expression is broad and there probably isn't really anyting that could be called "insider" art. Admission is a very modest $5 per person. The museum itself is really just two rooms - a large front room and a smaller one in the back. We expected to be in and out in less than half an hour, but the main exhibit during our visit was rather fascinating and we ended up staying for over two hours. Currently, the featured exhibit consists of photographs by Ted Degener, who traveled across the country to visit local artists in situ to document their works. Many of these artists could arguably be called eccentric - for example, there's they guy who created art with a bunch of empty beer cans. For me, it was an interesting internal debate about when does something become "art" rather than the bizarre creation of a local oddball. In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The exhibit goes until early September 2023. Highly recommended. read more

AMAZING SPACE.. the artist are always new, innovative and creatively displayed. This gallery is a space for community love, gatherings, collaborative art history and sharing. They have a small store tucked to side with reasonably priced artisan pieces.. also a small lil quant bar in the adjacent room.. AND THAT SUSANN CRAIG IS WALKING ART HERSELF!!ove love love this place/ SPACE! read more

I happened back across this great hidden gem while killing time before my dental appointment, so happy I tried the door and it opened. Not big in space but big in heart, the dedication to the Outsider Art well worth the nominal $5 suggested donation. read more

Intuit Art Museum - bottle caps - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Incredible! A glimpse into how unschooled artists express themselves and especially how the life of Henry Darger was captured and preserved so meticulously. My God! Who would even know this man even existed but for this museum! And Lee Godie, who used to try to sell us her stuff as we passed her at the Water Tower Park. She was going portraits for twenty bucks near the end but here her best works are preserved and exalted to the level she always deserved. This is art that makes you curious as to the mental state of the artist whereas schooled, beautiful art hides the creator. Anyone who appreciates art should not only visit this wonderful Oasis of the Mundane, but become a supporting member as well (it's cheap folks). read more

Intuit Art Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First time visiting and I'm convinced I'll need an annual membership here. Their covid protocols were TOP NOTCH- very organized spacing of visitors and respectful of personal boundaries. Art was fascinating and thought provoking. Did a first date here and it was a perfect spot! Small gallery so didn't take more than an hour or so. Staff were very knowledgeable and answered ALL of my questions with added insight. We will be returning. read more

This gallery is an absolute gem. I have been fortunate enough to see multiple shows here, and they have all been wonderful.

Art.org - that's their web address. Yep, they must have gotten that early on. Good foresight by someone. I love museums and galleries. And I really love "Outsider Art", even though I don't really understand it. I was delighted when I found this place in Chicago. Its not large, but it uses space well. Outsider Art is also called Folk Art by many, but the "new" name Outsider Art seems to be the trend. Outsider art is usually used to refer to self taught artists, and those working outside of the "main stream" of the art world. Grandma Moses is a famous, perhaps the first famous, "Outsider Artist", although she was branded a Folk Artist. Many outsider artistes are considered to be mentally challenged, and some may be, but just as many are not, they are simply self taught, they may hide their work, they may work with unusual subjects or mediums etc. As one of their permanent collection "items" they have the Henry Darger Room - a replica of the room where Henry lived (a one room apt) for decades, until he went to a nursing home. the collection includes (from website) "tracings, clippings from newspapers, magazines, comic books, cartoons, children's books, coloring books, personal documents, and architectural elements, fixtures, and furnishings from Darger's original room." Standing in the doorway of this room is amazing,. He used every space imaginable for his work, which include a 15,000 page fantasy storybook found after his death, which seems to be what really "put him on the map" art wise. He was a talented artist and storywriter, but he made a living as a custodian, and was more or less a recluse. This room alone is worth a visit to the Museum. But they do have more, including a large meeting room, where they give lectures and hold receptions and the like. Their permanent collection houses pieces by many different artists, and they have shows often. When I was there, there were paintings, painted chairs, and other things in-between. In addition they have a research room where you can look up all sorts of artists and their work. They offer workshops for those who are interested. This small museum is worth a visit. Entrance fee is $5, free for members, and they are part of the "Museum Exchange" if you are a member of, for example, the Albright Knox. But its worth the $5. They have a gift ship unlike any other I have seen. The items for sale are made by various artists and many are usable, I bought a wine holder as both a gift and "conversation piece" for someone. They have decorated clothing. Interesting postcards. Its really nice. Parking here is street, and you may have to walk a block or two. But its worth it. (Review 425) read more

Excellent collection. This is definitely my kind of art. I love reading the artist statements and information. This is artwork from people who may not regularly be able to show their art and that is the best part. The love put into each work of art is evident. This is not a huge museum, but it is full of great art. I will be back many, many times. read more

Love the theme of Outsider Art. The Henry Darger exhibit was interesting but I most enjoyed the art made by the convict using jail-house available ingredients. I bought a beautiful necklace there. Admittance is a $5 suggested donation - it's a great deal! read more

Small dainty art museum around the corner of Chicago blue line stop. I presume the small space makes room for three exhibits per season. Excellent choice for a first date as means of good conversation and get to know one another. As the place is small and quiet, it's not overwhelming with art work--just enough to chat, admire artwork and chat some more. read more

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Great museum that exhibits outsider art. There aren't many places like this. The gift shop offers handmade artwork.

I was here for a "sneak preview" of the new Ulysses Davis sculptural show. Check out his evil Richard Nixon in the little gallery of Presidents! Because this was an event associated with a fine arts conference, a curator opened the rope in the Henry Darger room and showed us some things that are usually not visible to the public, like some drawings and scrapbooks Darger made that are in the dresser drawers. He explained a little bit about how it was all preserved, which was fascinating. The room is plenty interesting on its own, but with the "special access pass" it was even better. This room is a permanent part of the museum, but the rest of the art changes, with different exhibitions of works by artists without formal training coming and going throughout the year. It looks like the Davis sculptures will be there until at least mid-March. There's also study center with a library of books and documentaries about self-taught artists and their work. Some books are for sale in the gift shop, but I did not look to see if there is significant overlap with the study center collection. Speaking of the gift shop, it's maybe the best museum gift shop I've visited. Yes, the MCA has cool Japanese toys and the Art Institute has magnets shaped like suits of armor, but if you want something like a calendar of random American mug shots from the early/mid 20th century, random family snap shots apparently gleaned from antique malls, or bike tire bracelets, this is the place. There's just so much there in such a small space that I am sure I missed something really interesting. Don't forget to donate when you go! There's nobody at the door, just a clear box to put money into, so put as little or as much as you want. It would be a shame to go without giving them anything, though, because the staff clearly works very hard and with great love at keeping this place special. read more

I don't care what's going on in the front gallery - the Henry Darger room will always be worth the trip. It's really creepy and intense in the best way. When we went, the curator (I think that's who she was) stood and talked with us for way longer than necessary about Darger's work. It really felt like we were getting VIP treatment, plus we got to hear someone all sophisticated and dressed in business casual use the phrase "chicks with dicks." And, you know, it's free, so you should probably just stop in and check it out. And buy something from the gift shop. read more

Love, love, love Intuit! What a treasure. And one that happens to be pretty well hidden in a rusty, crusty part of town... much like a lot of the work housed therein. Don't let that keep you from finding your way here. For those of us who live outside Chicago/NYC/Atlanta and don't have easy access to outsider work via galleries, shows, museums, or auctions, seeing this work outside of print form is the difference between experiencing my Achtung Baby cassette tape vs. U2 on tour. My first trip happened to be during Lonnie Holley's artist-in-residence stint. It was an awakening for me, and I am grateful to have one of those pieces in my home. My second show was the Architecture of Hope exhibit, which was more broad and comprised a number of artists. I hope to make it up for the William Hawkins - Hawkins Bolden exhibit coming up. As much as I love the exhibits, I've also spent hours perusing the shop. Intuit has a stellar selection of reference literature, including old exhibit catalogs and periodicals. On my last trip, I had to creatively rearrange my luggage to get underweight because I'd piled up books on Yoakum, von Bruenchenhein, and Finster that I'd previously been unaware of. And the staff have always been helpful and sweet! read more

As a pal of mine once said "sometimes art should just be looked at and not talked about." I am not an art critic and I don't pretend to have the knowledge to provide an extensive, insightful overview of this center. I do know that when I went last weekend I had a really good experience. I saw the last day of "Least Wanted: A Century of American Mugshots The Mark Michaelson Collection." The collection was comprised of thousands of mugshots from all eras. The Intuit web site summed it up best: "This is central casting for the Late Late Show of unvarnished reality, and the lineup is full of small-timers, those who have fallen through the cracks." Endlessly fascinating example of "found photography." I also saw the Henry Darger Exhibition, which runs through June 28th. Darger was a bizarro and prolific Chicago "outsider" artist whose paintings and collages are colorful and creative. The exhibit focuses primarily on the Vivian Girls, a unusual collection of heroic young girls--some inexplicably with...um...boys' genitalia--as they fight various evil entities. I'm not going to pretend that I completely understand it but the work is really creative and innovative. I particularly loved the recreation of Darger's cramped Lincoln Park studio. It's refreshing to see the artist's artifacts (and clutter) in this kind of context and in a way that seems very respectful to the artist himself. There's a really good story behind the reconstruction that you can read at the exhibit. I recommend spending the time to learn about Darger as well as the unique approach that the Center took to display his belongings. I'm fairly new to the concept of "outsider art." I saw a great Martin Ramirez exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum and it got me very interested in learning more about these untrained and often unsung artists. Worth a look! (And, hey, it's free!) read more

Intuit is a pretty amazing little space. If you are into folk, intuitive or "Outsider" art, it is definitely worth a stop. Spaces of this kind are rare. In the name of art from the fringes: I ask others who are impatient with the size of the space or "lack of selection" to consider what you are asking the curators to assemble. Are you going to see "a bunch of stuff" or hoping to find one good piece that speaks to you? These types of work are often snapped up by private collectors or destroyed, I deeply respect the effort involved in assembling them for us to view for free. The Darger Room is the focus of Intuit's space, its reason for being. Concerned volunteers managed to save artifacts from his studio/apartment - why it was torn down I've yet to understand. A small space (close to 10' square, if that) in the back of Intuit approximates a corner of Henry Darger's apartment. As a whole, I found the room a bit flat - a sanitized version of his space. I did enjoy seeing the bundles of his reference materials and art supplies, though. The current exhibits are very relevant to Intuit's mission and valuable to the folk art /"Outsider" enthusiast: a selection of about 40 pieces including collage, sculpture & paintings from the Heartland and the work of Joseph Yoakum. The shop, which thankfully is not a corporate art museum store, has some worthwhile publications and appropriate small items. You can feel good about supporting a worthwhile cause while picking up a good exhibition catalogue. I look forward to returning! read more

Small, hidden gem right off the blue line. Each art piece was as interesting and made me delve into the minds who of these "outsider" artists. Luckily, the museum was not packed when I went so I could take my time to read about their art came about. Also, Staff was friendly and welcoming. read more

Intuit Art Museum - From the minds of people inmates. - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't know how (read: why) I went so long without checking this place out. I suppose it was one of those things I took for granted, as in, I'll get around to visiting sometime. Usually those places are the places you should be visiting all the time, and Intuit is no exception. My friend really wanted to check out their Darger Room, and she was not disapointed. The recreation of his living/work space was definitely a unique museum exhibit. I only wish that more of his work was visible from behind the little velvet rope. What I really loved was the exhibit they've just extended, a collection of the works of Joseph Yoakum. The pieces are mostly landscapes said to be inspired by his world travels, though there is no confirmation that he actually set foot in all of these places. While a lot of them are of rural America, there were several cool landscapes of areas in South America and Sweden, if I remember correctly. Either way, there's something almost mythological about the concept, and when you throw his own unique eye, you get something special. At least three times I found myself reminded of a mushroom trip in Central Park. The rest of the stuff in the front room ranged from "This is pretty excellent" to "OK, I could have done this as a child". I suppose given the genre that that's to be expected. The staff were super pleasant, the price was right (free) and the gift shop had about fifteen things I wanted to take home. If you've been thinking about going, go. read more

Street parking not too hard on Aberdeen behind it. It's not large but it is fascinating if you enjoy outsider art. Nice little gift shop. The Henry Darger room is fascinating. Give yourself time to read the accompanying materials. read more

The Intuit Center is very cool but a bit smaller than I expected, so I'm not sure I feel it worth the $5 "suggested" donation. Right now there is a cool bottle cap sculpture exhibit and some amazing hand drawn (from memory!) maps by a Cincinnati artist as well as the Henry Darger room. Gift shop is very cool. read more

Intuit Art Museum - Bottle cap art - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went here for the Arts and Drafts events and I was pleasantly surprised by the Outsider Art they display, it's not something I ever really got into or see myself getting very interested in, but there were some exhibits there that drew my interest and the Henry Darger room was an interesting, but sad story. I think it's a great space for a smaller event that has some interesting work showcased. read more

While Chicago boasts a slew of world-renowed institutions full of grand art, I am more comfortable at offbeat museums and galleries with quirky collections and fun exhibits. Located on the east end of Noble Square, Intuit creates this unique vibe with its clean, cozy space and progressive programming. "Outsider" art usually has strange connotations and often is very emotionally draining and disturbing, but the careful curation and judicious use of layout make Intuit a place to explore these types of reactions to what are truly different types of art. They also feature lectures and walk-throughs to delve further into their current and permanent exhibitions, and their gift shop is chock-full of sweet ephemera. Be sure to pick up Intuit's complimentary "Outsider" publication, which illuminates their specific concept and overall vision. Overall, a real gem in the roster of Chicago's eclectic galleries. read more

Intuit is a one-of-a-kind place. Most of their shows and lectures are edifying and worthwhile. I like the Darger room, though it is "prettified" and not at all what Henry left... That said, Intuit is a place for all those artists lost to obscurity. Save the "new" outsider artsist that glom onto the genre like Chris Hipkiss-he's a so/so artist with nothing but an ability to imitate TRUE outsiders- like Darger and Augustin Lesage. I think he just thought draw like an architect and affix some penises to nymphs...that's the formula. Tisnikar, painter of death Publisher: 1978 New York Summerfield Press. Hardcover 4to. Color illustrations Joze Tisnikar worked on the night-shift in the Pathology Dept. of the Hospital in Slovenj Gradec, a Slovene town in the foothills of the Alps. He suffered nervous breakdowns and alcoholism but triumphed over himself to become a great painter.. He was also a Catholic, practicing. Little is found online,I have access to the book: Tisnikar, painter of death-I will post more info. to add to the biographical information available about him online. I may even add a Wiki entry- in the name of accuracy. This begins my chronicling of Catholic mostly,but others too, outsider artists. I am in love already. Tisnikar worked in a hospital's morgue, Darger was a janitor in one- I have worked in one too. He took photographs of the morgue's guests, an art in and of itself, and painted the scenes too. read more

I've gone on multiple occasions and have never been let down. It's quite a trek from my home in Hyde Park but it's definitely worth the travel. My personal favorite exhibit was mug shots from the 1920s-1930s. I love the idea that art can come from anyone as a means of expression. I love that people who aren't considered "artists" have a place to display their work. Best of all? It's free! read more

At least one reviewer states that having institutions preserve outsider art somehow cheapens the art; to which I respond, there might not be preserved outsider art if it were not for the art establishment's protection. Darger's work could easily have found its way to a dumpster instead of to a museum, if it were not for the protection and grace of gifted connoisseurs. INTUIT is one such sanctuary. We attended the Ulysses Davis exhibit this weekend and found the presentation, space, and lighting delightful. Chicagoans who have not yet been to INTUIT are doing themselves a disfavor - Go! Also notice the museum's website has a calendar of art lectures. Become more savvy about the art and meet other members of the interested public. I agree with other reviewers that I was expecting more of Darger's work at INTUIT besides just the Darger room. Not necessarily a criticism . . . after seeing "In the Realms of the Unreal" I was hoping for more Darger, that's all. read more

Finally got to go here. Saw the Ulysses Davis show: Very nice. The place isn't huge, but they have a lot of stuff, especially with the recreated workroom of Henry Darger room. There is a shop, which was not as amazing as everyone says. I didn't really see anything interesting, personally. Seems a good place for books though. They now charge a $5 entrance fee, but it is worth it. read more

Went on a holiday Saturday and the executive director herself was there. Such a unique museum! Each caption tells a unique story about the unconventional artist who made the piece. A mix of American and international artworks and mediums. THe Henry Darger Room is a fascinating replica of the outsider artist's apartment, complete with collages, clippings, religious ornaments, balls of twine, paints, etc. I had the opportunity to work on a project about Darger, so seeing the room in person was a real treat. At $5 it's a great deal. The gift shop showcases more custom art as well. read more

I love this place. The first time I came here I discovered they had Wesley Willis stickers and that they were free. My heart soared. What a great day. I could not feel more welcome when I am here and they have an awesome gift shop. Last weekend I had the pleasure of looking over the Ulysses Davis exhibit. Wow! I try never to take for granted how lucky I am to have a place like this just down the street. read more

There aren't a lot of museums like this, and that's why you should go! Came for the Henry Darger room, stayed for everything else. Some of the exhibits are by local artists. When I went, I saw some student artwork that was surprisingly really moving. A quirky gift shop too. Right off of the blue line. read more

I don't know if my one visit was a good representation of what this place has to offer on most days, but I was pretty underwhelmed by the selection of Outsider art. I mean, the Darger room is cool and seems to be the centerpiece of the Intuit, but there was only one Darger drawing displayed. And I was also hoping to see a greater cross section of well known outsider artists. The exhibition of wood scultpures and miscellaneous pieces in the main room were not very exciting. And the gift shop had some things for sale that made it feel almost like a garage sale. Like old B&W photos for $.50. Ok, maybe in an antique market. We came for a performance of the Flea Circus which was completely sold out and had gotten good reviews. Ticket's were $12 for the hour long show. The first half hour was the guy selling trinkets like a miniature program and little magnifying glass to the crowd for $.25. The last half hour was a pretty lame ruse of a couple fleas doing a total of 3 tricks which amounted to almost nothing. I had some vague idea of what a flea circus entailed, and I appreciated the nostalgia, audience participation and "lost-art" of the show, but I was hoping for a little more 'smoke and mirrors' and theatrical elements, and even a better performance by the ringmaster. There were a lot of kids and I think even they were pretty underwhelmed with it all. Most of the crowd seemed to leave the show confused and feeling conned. Which is the idea I guess. But in the end, you just feel you were duped out of $12. The gallery is free, so I guess you can't complain. The only thing that caught my interest was a Wesley Willis DVD for sale. But I passed. read more

Tucked away in Chicago's River West neighborhood, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art provides sanctuary for wayward art. Despite the obvious signage, finding a way into the center can be a bit of a challenge as it blends with the urban architecture, and many visitors might mistake it as a service entrance for deliveries. The aim of Intuit is to challenge the public into changing their idea of what constitutes craft. Step inside and the space opens into a showroom of eclectic ingenuities full of color, texture, and luster. A staff member will direct you to push back the red-velvet curtain, shamelessly covering walls set aside for the quietly queer who have created a kinky homage to Alfred Kinsey. Convicting depictions await your arousal, but the constricted square footage of fetish almost promises to disappoint. Authenticity lies in the eye of the beholder, and Intuit immediately recognized Kinsey's anonymous fans as unsung, erotic exhibitionists. Kinsey pioneered the field of sex research during the '30s and '40s. His major breakthrough proved women actually enjoyed having sex. Most men had the impression that their XX counterparts were just there to facilitate a man's impetuous responses to feeling aroused. Overall, Alfred Kinsey astringently articulated it as a "widespread ignorance of sexual structure and physiology." His research put gender-centric ideas to shame and sexually liberated the female. In a desperate attempt to affirm their inherent desires, lusciously lewd fans of Kinsey's work dished their dirty, sexual liaisons. Mostly in the form of amateur sketches, these various, cathartic mediums were shared with the only inadvertently abstract expressionist who may have understood the true nature of sexual desire during the Big Band Era. Nineteen-forties mainstreamers might have seen these lascivious compositions as mere perversions, now celebrated as a form of personal growth when considering modern-day sexual platforms. (Websites such as Adult Friend Finder, Fester and Zoosbook are social-networking communities set in place for those who possess a refined, sexual appetite.) Not one person has to feel completely alone in their longing. What might remain is whether or not some of these historical forms of self-expression were cries for help. The only kind of swing permitted in the zoot suit days was left for the dance floor. Sexuality was then recognized as a form of recreation, but this was just the tip...of the iceberg. Homosexuality was frowned upon and treated as a mental illness. If men were able to speak on their attractions, electroshock therapy was ultimately the scientific response over praying the gay away. Like a slinky, minds expanded as quickly as they contracted into their confined and comfortable patterns of thought. If religion still dominated the '40s, it would stand to reason that all desires were met with an unbearable sense of shame if they were carried out. One salacious sketch portrays a man trying to engage in intercourse with his female partner mounted on the back end of a donkey. Take a closer look, and notice his aim was a little off, and he's actually getting acquainted with the equus anatomy. Maybe you didn't have to. Was this artist an animal lover and/or abuser? This is what every generation should be asking. Curiosity would definitely inspire the idea of whether or not the artist was content in living with this kind of desire. Many criticized Alfred Kinsey, but what made him great was drawing enough facts to support the idea that presumed sexual deviants are not alone. Fundamental investigations into these unusual desires could go on to address how these various; guilty pleasures are compartmentalized into gradient levels of sanity. Assuming it was not intended, the confining space of the exposition brings the hanging artifacts just to the border of the American standard for personal space. Moving in any direction will bring you closer to the work, whether you want to be or not. Imagine randomly attending a private party exclusive to the sexually deviant--where every room in the venue celebrates a different kind hormonal craving. The party is crowded with unfamiliar faces attached to scantily clad bodies, and there's not enough time to mentally prepare for what you're about to see or experience. As if it isn't enough that you are exposed of your dirty curiosities just for being there, the tables are turned. Suddenly carousers become critical of your presence, and begin to question your own sexual appetite, and they are all too happy to help you nourish it. The only option is to accept what's happening. As they say, when in Rome. read more

Definitely worth a visit. It's small, but free, and easily accessible on the Blue Line. The Henry Darger Room is underwhelming, but the exhibits in the main room are pretty cool, like the recent retrospective on Lee Godie. The gift shop is full of neat little trinkets and books, too. read more

I have only been here once, but my husband and I had a pretty fun time. The place was clean and the art was neato. The gift shop was small but interesting, and they have a "bathroom gallery" which was funny. The only bad thing was the door was locked during open hours and it was confusing, we almost left. You have to ring the bell and wait, the door sticks! read more