Expo Chicago Names Exhibitors for 2026 Edition

Expo Chicago has named the over 130 exhibitors that will participate in its upcoming 2026 edition, scheduled to take place April 9–12 at Navy Pier.

Last November, when the fair announced the promotion of Kate Sierzputowski to director and the appointment of Essence Harden as curator, it also promised a smaller floor plan. That is now borne out in the just-released exhibitor list, which represents nearly a 25 percent smaller fair than the 2025 edition. The slimmed down fair is meant to provide “a more focused, intentionally scaled format, designed to deepen engagement for seasoned collectors, first-time visitors, and regional audiences alike,” per a release.

The exhibitors lined up for the fair include leading galleries like Karma, Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, Nara Roesler, Night Gallery, Vielmetter Los Angeles, Monique Meloche, Patron, Bockley Gallery, and Tern Gallery.

The 2026 edition will also introduce a partnership between Expo Chicago and the Obama Presidential Center (OPC), set to open later this year. As part of that collaboration, Louise Bernard, the director of the OPC’s museum,will curate two sections at the fair: Embodiment, which will be “inspired by the architecture and commissioned artists of the Obama Presidential Center,” and Evolution, which will present an “exhibition of archival materials drawn from the Center’s art commissions,” per a release. The Embodiment section will consist of five galleries: Gray, Sean Kelly, Anton Kern, Gallery Wendi Norris, and Regen Projects.

The fair’s Exposure section has been rebranded as Focus, in line with other Frieze fairs. Curated by Katie A. Pfohl, associate curator of contemporary art at the Detroit Institute of Arts, it will take the title “Gathering of Waters,” using the Mississippi River Basin as a starting point. Galleries in business for 12 years or fewer are eligible to participate and include 56 Henry, Embajada, Good Weather, Hesse Flatow, Magenta Plains, Rivalry Projects, and Chris Sharp Gallery.

Harden will curate the Profile section, which includes 47 Canal, Corbett vs. Dempsey, ILY2, Charlie James Gallery, Jessica Silverman, and Mindy Solmon Gallery.

Last year, Expo Chicago introduced a partnership with the Galleries Association of Korea (GAoK), which saw it bring 20 Korean galleries to the fair. That partnership, negotiated between GAoK and and Frieze, will continue in 2026, though only 12 galleries will participate this year.

“As we build toward EXPO CHICAGO 2026, our priority has been to refocus the fair on what has always defined it: rigorous curation, civic collaboration, and a deep commitment to artists,” Sierzputowski said in a statement. “Over the past year, we have shaped a fair environment that allows thoughtful, high-quality presentations to take form. The goal is a fair that feels intentional, artist-centered, and reflective of the creative energy of Chicago.”

The full exhibitor list follows below.

Galleries

Embodiment

Profile

Focus