Jean Cate (b. 1990, Pasadena, CA) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Chicago. She earned her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, specializing in painting, drawing, and ceramics, with further studies in papermaking, philosophy, and performance at Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency.
As the owner of Martha Mae Art Supplies & Beautiful Things and The Center of Order and Experimentation, creativity and community is at the heart of all of her ventures.
old friends is a fresh and quietly radical gallery space founded in 2024 by artists Fawn Penn and Delia Pelli-Walbert. With a strong focus on materiality and process, the gallery presents a range of work including paintings, sculptures, fibers, ceramics, and new media, all rooted in meticulous craftsmanship and inventive techniques. The programming reveals a deep interest in how materials carry memory, gesture, and story. This makes perfect sense given the founders’ own practices—Delia explores familial and imagined histories through land and material, while Fawn draws from medical and architectural histories to process and communicate life with chronic illness. Together, they have created a space that feels intimate, rigorous, and full of potential. For anyone looking to engage with work that is formally rich and conceptually grounded, old friends is definitely a space worth following and showing up for.
I first encountered Carrie Secrist in her garden, a space that was more than beautifully cultivated—it was curated. Her intuitive command of color theory and spatial harmony was magnetic and left a lasting impression. That same care, intention, and aesthetic intelligence is woven throughout Secrist | Beach. This gallery is a bold reimagining of what contemporary art spaces can be. In an era when many galleries are retreating from physical spaces, 1801 West Hubbard stands as a vibrant hub for presence, community, and creative dialogue. Beneath its striking bow-trussed ceilings, Secrist | Beach hosts solo exhibitions and invitational group shows, offering a dynamic platform for artists at all stages. Central to the space is a modern-day Salon—an evolving gathering where artists extend their work through talks, performances, writings, and immersive events. It is thoughtful, alive, and deeply rooted in artistic curiosity. The trinity of the two gallery spaces and salon create an ecosystem, distinct yet fluent in conversation with one another. For those who value substance as much as style, and see art as a realm of ideas as well as objects, Secrist | Beach is a place to watch and return to often.
Founded in 1893 from the legacy of the World’s Columbian Exposition, the Field Museum has grown into one of the world’s most expansive and intellectually rich natural history institutions. My introduction to the Field came through a scientific illustration class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with the wonderful Peggy Macnamara, the museum’s artist-in-residence. Her approach to drawing as a form of deep looking and presence profoundly shaped how I create art. I took the class multiple times, not just for her insight but because I fell in love with the museum’s taxidermy halls. These lesser-known galleries feature hand-painted diorama backdrops from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, creating quiet, atmospheric spaces that invite you to slow down and truly observe. For anyone interested in how institutions support art, observation, and the tradition of drawing from life, the Field Museum is a rare and treasured resource.
Stepping into the Driehaus Museum feels magical. Housed in a beautifully restored Gilded Age mansion, it is a rare place where art, architecture, and design merge in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. The focus on late 19th and early 20th-century work is immersive and elegant without feeling precious, historic but constantly relevant. Executive Director Lisa Key and her team have done remarkable work, not just through exhibitions but also with citywide activations and a new education space that has connected the museum more deeply to Chicago’s cultural life than ever. For those who appreciate how the past continues to shape the present through objects, stories, and beautifully curated experiences, the Driehaus Museum is a place you’ll want to visit again and again.
The Green Mill in Uptown is a jazz institution over 100 years old and still going strong. It combines classic cocktails, velvet booths, and live music ranging from swing orchestras to poetry slams—the longest-running in the country. With a rich history that includes Al Capone’s own booth and appearances in films like The Untouchables and High Fidelity, the Green Mill holds a kind of magic. Owner Dave Jemilo revived it in the 1980s, and it continues to be a vital music venue and cultural landmark. For anyone who loves music, atmosphere, and a bit of history, the Green Mill is a must-visit.
Women & Children First is far more than a bookstore; it is a cornerstone of Chicago’s cultural and feminist landscape. Since 1979, it has championed the belief that books are tools for liberation, amplifying voices historically marginalized and creating space for dialogue, discovery, and community care. Rooted in intersectional and trans-inclusive feminism, the shop offers an extraordinary selection of over 20,000 titles with a strong focus on underrepresented authors and perspectives. Beyond the books, it is a vibrant gathering place with author events, book groups, kids’ storytimes, and deep conversations forming part of the store’s everyday rhythm. Now run by Lynn Mooney and Sarah Hollenbeck, the store continues to support schools, nonprofits, and independent business alliances with intention and generosity. For those committed to cultural stewardship, equity in the arts, and the enduring power of literature, Women & Children First is essential.
Tucked into the heart of Andersonville, Five Elements is a masterclass in intentional design. This beautifully curated shop focuses on timeless home goods crafted with care—natural materials, small-batch production, and meticulous craftsmanship that invites you to slow down and really appreciate each piece. The owner travels extensively through Japan, China, and Korea to source singular objects that embody tradition, elegance, and utility. Every item feels like a discovery—thoughtful, exquisite, and quietly joyful. For those who believe that beauty lives in the details and that objects shape the emotional tone of a space, Five Elements offers more than products; it offers a philosophy of living.
I first met Lydia Esparza through her design and styling work, luckily her impeccable taste transcends any single medium. She and Nick Lessins were the duo behind Great Lake, the tiny Andersonville pizza spot that became a cult phenomenon from 2008 to 2013. Known for long lines, national acclaim, and uncompromising standards, Great Lake earned legendary status. Over a decade later, they have quietly returned with no website, no flashy sign, just a handful of tables, house-made rye bread, pizza by the slice, Zingerman’s ice cream, heirloom pantry goods, and Lydia’s perfect olive oil chocolate tea cake. The vibe is slow, intentional, and deeply personal. Lydia even designed the terrazzo floors herself, calling the aesthetic "gramma modern." This is not a restaurant or a brand, but Lydia and Nick doing what they do best: letting the work speak and inviting guests into something rare and real.
Tigist Reda’s cooking at Demera bursts with bold, authentic flavors that linger long after the meal. Every dish celebrates her family’s traditions, prepared with care and meant to be shared communally, hand-eaten among friends and family. Order a messob to try an array of dishes, and don’t forget to get extra injera —it’s tangy, fermented and the perfect vehicle for each bite. If you love food that tells a story and connects people, Demera is a must-visit. The hospitality is genuine, the food unforgettable, and the experience feels like coming home.
