Jack Nixon

TESTIMONIAL - 2008 ARTROPOLIS / ART CHICAGO - The Invitational Exhibition of Emerging Artists

"Wow! This work is absolutely amazing. This is the best artist in the exhibition."
Paul Morris, VP Merchandise Mart Art Events and past owner and founding director, New York Armory Show

For me as a classicist, Chicago’s most beautiful architecture and sculpture was produced before 1932. But many of those important Gothic Revival, Neoclassic, and Art Deco buildings made with facades of Indiana limestone standing in our central business district are being torn down for lack of investment and upkeep or may face demolition in the near future for new construction.

I am interested in displaying the best of Chicago’s urban environment in a fine art manner that will enlighten and educate residents and visitors to what we have as public decorative art, and what we could lose in our continuously changing cityscape through the examination, documentation, and display of Chicago's most beautiful and exceptional buildings and sculpture.

As a seasoned graphic designer, I weave a visual story of classic architecture in graphite that
amplifies and focuses the viewer’s perception of Chicago’s stone, terra cotta, and bronze details
that ...

Cleveland Institute of Art, BFA Graphic Design

About Me (cont.)

With an architect’s heart as a child in high school, but hating math, I chose to go to the Cleveland Institute of Art for 3D industrial design - ending up in 2D graphic design. After running around with a bunch of environmental activists developing a municipal recycling center in the early ‘80s, I came back to Chicago to help recycle reusable building materials and architectural remnants while learning of the young, unconventional exploits and tragic death of photographer Richard Nickel in 1972 (photographing and rescuing elements of the old Stock Exchange Building).

From there, I read David Lowe’s Lost Chicago and felt I wanted to make more visible existing buildings that could also be threatened with the wrecking ball. I also began to notice the serious pride and appreciation Illinoisans had for their area's architecture - particularly that of Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, and Frank Lloyd Wright, who I had not recognized as a kid. Not having perceived Chicago's architecture in my youth, books I read and lectures and walking tours I participated in around the Loop and along the river revealed its heritage and historic significance for the first time. Many...

One Man Shows:
2020 - Emhurst Art Museum Guild Gallery, Elmhurst, IL
2019 - 3rd Chicago Architectural Biennial, Chicago, IL
2018 - Wilmette Center for the Arts, Wilmette, IL
2018 - Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
2017 - Ann Brierly Gallery, Winnetka, IL
2016 - ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
2013 - Alden B. Dow Museum of Art, Midland, MI
2008 - Art Chicago / Artropolis - The Invitational Exhibition of Emerging Artists
1996 - University Club of Chicago
1992 - Mid America Bank of Chicago
1990 - Union League Club Of Chicago

2022
Hopkins Center for the Arts, Arts North: 27th International Juried Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN
2021
Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, 5th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Wausua, WI
2019
Elmhurst Artist's Guild Winter Exhibition, Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL -- Honorable Mention
2018
Evanston Art Center 25th Evanston & Vicinity Biennial, Evanston, IL
Rockford Art Museum 75th Midwestern Biennial Exhibition, Rockford, IL
The Alliance of Fine Art “Best Of The Best Exhibit,” Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL – Best Of Show
Elmhurst Artist's Guild Spring Exhibition, Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL -- 1st Place
Bridgeport A...