Artwork by Charles Mahaffee at Hinge Gallery
 

Art fairs are like buffets: breezy taste tests of new and unusual delights. Chicago's annual art fairs have been, at turns, prickly, juicy, raw, icy, boozy, hot as lighting, and lukewarm—their temperature makes for a good gauge of the city's artistic health. A locally grown fair, MDW, is a feel-good alternative to the official, highbrow affair. This year—the MDW Fair’s third—the underdog named after Chicago’s second-to-none airport showcased fresh experiments from our inspired scene.

Below, more photos from the event:

Alberto Aguilar drawing
Alberto Aguilar drawing
 

Neon sculpture at the MDW fair
Palisade by Morgan Sims at Heaven Gallery
 

Drawing by Jonah Criswell at Plug Projects
Drawing by Jonah Criswell at Plug Projects
 

Publications table at MDW Fair
The publications table

 

Photography: Jason Foumberg