40 Years of the Cornelia Arts Building and 100 Years of America’s Route 66 - Oct 16 & 17

40 Years of the Cornelia Arts Building and 100 Years of America’s Route 66

The Cornelia Arts Building art center celebrates two anniversaries this October; their 40 year anniversary as an artist studio building, and a guest artist show celebrating 100 years of America’s Route 66 highway. 

"Gold Suns" Jason Messinger

The Cornelia Arts Building October Open Studios, opens Friday October 16, from 5 - 9 pm, and continues Saturday October 17, from 12 to 4 pm. Located at 1800 West Cornelia Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, the family friendly event is free and open to the public. Visitors can shop two floors of dozens of working artist studios open that weekend, and purchase unique gifts of art and crafts at one of the largest artist studio buildings on Chicago’s North side.

The Urban Sketchers Route 66 Centennial Exhibition

The Urban Sketchers Route 66 Centennial Exhibition

The Urban Sketchers Route 66 Centennial Exhibition

On display in the lobby and many hallways, Urban Sketchers, an international organization with chapters throughout the United States, commemorates the 100 Year Anniversary of Route 66 with this traveling exhibit. The Urban Sketchers Route 66 Centennial Exhibition features over 300 sketches from various points along the Route, created by members of the Urban Sketchers chapters in Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque & Santa Fe, and Los Angeles.

"Abundance" Jason Messinger

"Desert Flowers" Jason Messinger

"Fighting Fish" Jason Messinger

Join Jason Messinger in Studio 109 where he offers his newest signature Ceramic Tile Murals, sculptures, works on paper, hand-made artisan gifts, and his books, including his full-length comic adventure fantasy novels, while you enjoy his infamous white sangria. 

'Celestial Alchemy' Jason Messinger

"Urban Joys" Jason Messinger

"June" Jason Messinger

Comic Adventure Fantasy Novels by Jason Messinger

Originally an Ice-house, the Cornelia Arts Building has fostered Chicago artist creativity continually since its 1986 conversion to all artist studios. Over 100 artists and artisans work in the building, including painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramic artists, print-makers, jewelers, designers, and much more. Repeat visitors always find something new, as differing artists are open at each of only four open house events held a year.

 Located two blocks south of Addison and one block west of Lincoln Avenue, near the borders be- tween Chicago’s Roscoe Village, Lakeview and North Center neighborhoods. The “L” Brown Line Addison and Paulina stops are steps away; as are several bus stops along Addison. Parking available in the building lot and on adjacent streets. Entrance is located along Ravenswood on the east side of the building.

Cornelia Arts Building 

October Open Studios 2026 

Friday, October 16, 5 pm - 9 pm
Saturday, October 17, 12 - 4 pm
The Cornelia Arts Building – Where Art Works 

1800 West Cornelia, Chicago, IL

Entrance on NW corner of Ravenswood and Cornelia.
Two blocks south of Addison Brown Line CTA Station.
Free parking available in lot and in neighborhood.

Website: corneliaartsbuilding.com

"Hope you can join me and see all the beautiful artwork I have for you to take home!" - Jason Messinger

Summer/Fall installation at Bank of America headquarters at 110 N Wacker, Chicago, showcases sculptures by Jason Messinger

"Flames Lick" 19"x15"x12" - Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art

Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art 

Photo credit Jason Messinger

 

Jason Messinger was selected to showcase his signature ceramic sculptures at 110 N Wacker, in the lobby of the Bank of America Building. Curated by Turning Art art advisors with Callahan Capital Partners, the six month installation runs June through November, 2026. Four of Messinger’s ceramic and glaze sculptures are on display in the elevator lobbies, and also visible from the public-facing riverside walk alongside the building. 

 

"May" 21"x19"x15" - Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art

Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art

Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art

 

“The Summer 2026 art exhibition at 110 N Wacker offers a fresh, vibrant collection celebration the start of the summer season while showcasing local Chicago talent. Jason Messinger’s ceramic sculptures are the perfect fit, incorporating playful colors and compelling textures with the aesthetic of the main lobby. The free-form spirit of Brian Monaghan’s DANCING piece complements Jason’s sculptural series, creating a cohesive experience for the building tenancy. Together, the works encourage viewers to explore multiple points of view to experience the variety of forms and movement throughout the exhibition.” - Niamh Carey, Art Advisor, Turning Art. 

 

"Ice Harvest" 18.5"x16"x11" - Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art

Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art

Photo credit Jason Messinger

 

“Collection Overview: 110 N Wacker is pleased to present the Summer/Fall 2026 exhibition, featuring chicago-based artists Brian Monaghan and Jason Messinger. Grounded in local influence, the new collection delivers distinct color, form, and material to the lobby space. Through the use of corten steel and ceramic, respectively, Brian and Jason each present a unique perspective on our connection to the natural world. Brian and Jason's work offers a cohesive and captivating experience to tenants and visitors while showcasing their contending themes of energy and movement.”

 

"April" 19"x17"x13" - Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art

 Photo credit Alan Luntz for Turning Art

Photo credit Stephanie Strait

 

Please contact niamh@turningart.com at Turning Art for purchase inquiries.

Six Jason Messinger Sculptures at Cappella at Galaxy Macau, an ultra luxury hotel in Macau, China

Six Sculptures by Jason Messinger placed at the luxury hotel Cappella at Galaxy Macau, in Macau China

Six of Jason Messinger's signature hand-built ceramic sculptures with metallic glazes were commissioned for the Capella at Galaxy Macau, at the end of 2025. 

 

Opened early 2026, this new ultra luxury hotel, by Capella Hotels and Resorts, is part of Galaxy Macau, a 5 star integrated resort with eight luxury hotels, over 120 dining options, and extensive entertainment venues. The sculptures are presented on custom marble pillars in the entrance lobby between the front hotel lobby and casino.

 

The artwork is inspired in part by traditional “Scholar’s Stones” where found naturally occurring rocks are displayed to emphasis their flowing movement, their varied hollows and textures, and their elegance forms, in order to elevate them into objects for philosophical contemplation. The artist’s aesthetic is also rooted in the borrowed concept of "wabi sabi" which finds deeper aesthetic meaning in the natural world's movements and shapes

"Shift" - 24"h x 23" x 17"

 

"Winds" - 23"h x 19" x 13" 

"Undertow" - 19"h x 20" x 10" 

 

"Comfort" - 21"h x 18" x 19"

 

"Fame" - 24"h x 20" x 11"  

 

"Yearning" - 23"h x 18" x 16"

 

Photos courtesy Cappella Hotel. 

Celebrate 40 Years at the Cornelia Arts Building May Open Studios 2026

Celebrate 40 Years with the 

Cornelia Arts Building 

May Open Studios

 

 

Celebrate at the Cornelia Arts Building May Open Studios, on Friday May 15, from 5 - 9 pm, and on Saturday May 16, from 12 to 4 pm with their 40 year anniversary as an artist studio building. Originally an Ice-house, the building has fostered Chicago artist creativity continually since its 1986 conversion to all artist studios. 

Join Jason Messinger in studio #109 and shop his signature ceramic tile artwork, ceramic sculptures, painting and drawings on paper, hand-made gifts, and his books, including his full-length fantasy novels, while you enjoy his infamous white sangria. 

Over 100 artists and artisans work in the building, including painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramic artists, print-makers, jewelers, designers, and much more. Repeat visitors always find something new, as differing artists are open at each of only four open house events a year.

The May front lobby guest artist is Angie Redmond, sharing her new series of joyful oil paintings, capturing moments of human emotional interactions and individual dignity in the Black community.

"Whenever We Get Together" - Angie Redmond

Located two blocks south of Addison and one block west of Lincoln Avenue, near the border between Chicago’s Roscoe Village, Lakeview and North Center neighborhoods. The “L” Brown Line Addison and Paulina stops are steps away; as are several bus stops along Addison. Parking available in the building lot and on adjacent streets. Entrance is located along Ravenswood on the east side of the building. Events are free and open to the public.

Cornelia Arts Building May Open Studios 2026 

Friday, May 15, 5 pm - 9 pm
Saturday, May 16, 12 - 4 pm

The Cornelia Arts Building – Where Art Works
1800 West Cornelia, Chicago, IL 
Entrance on NW corner of Ravenswood and Cornelia. 

Two blocks south of Addison Brown Line CTA Station. 

Free parking available in lot and in neighborhood.

Website:
https://corneliaartsbuilding.com/events/may-open-studios-40-years-in-the-arts/ 

 

 

All artwork by Jason Messinger except where noted.