Chicago, the Windy City, offers a whirlwind of events and adventures for any kind of traveler! Head to the famous Chicago Field Museum for some amazing natural history, or the Art Institute of Chicago which has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in the United States. Those who love animals will enjoy a trip to the Shedd Aquarium. Michelin star restaurants will set the stage for amazing dining experiences, such as Alinea with its three stars or Oriloe with two stars. No matter what, the Windy City promises to be a wonderful vacation destination!
A wonderful artistic festival awaits in Chicago November 1-4, known as SOFA Chicago. The Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design festival offers an amazing array of exhibits and sculptures to enjoy as a visual feast. One of the most distinct festivals of its kind, with plenty of dealers and exhibitors, the SOFA Chicago is a wonderful fair of artistic excellence. ResortsandLodges.com had a chance to sit down with Leah Steinhardt, the Director of Marketing for the event, to learn more details about this lovely festival.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
LS: This is SOFA’s 25th anniversary, which makes this the longest running art fair, with the exception of the Armory.
RAL: How many annual attendees do you draw?
LS: Around 40,000! We attract a lot of people to this amazing artistic event.
RAL: What demographic does your event attract?
LS: We have art enthusiasts, collectors, students and designers that all come to our event.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
LS: SOFA Is the original art fair dedicated to three dimensional mediums. We now showcase two and one dimensional contemporary art, but our focus is still on three dimensional mediums.
RAL: Tell us about the activities at SOFA Chicago.
LS: We have an Opening Night Reception on November 1st with ChiArts as our benefactor. They are going to have a live music performance along with an experimental art piece that our attendees can participate in creating. There will also be live glass blowing demonstrations and woodworking which will happen throughout the day.
RAL: Any guest appearances?
LS: We have several panel discussions throughout the fair including talks led by artists and designers. We will also have some book signings in the bookstore!
RAL: What will the dining be like?
LS: Eataly will be providing our concessions and Jadot will be hosting a unique wine experience.
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
LS: Yes! We support the local River North Design district as well as work with local galleries, museums, and schools. Many of our attendees travel from out of town and stay at Chicago hotels and dine out at local restaurants.
For more information, please check out the festival website.