Epiphany Center for the Arts Presents Agave!

CHICAGO (October 21, 2021) – Epiphany Center for the Arts today announced that Agave!, an expansive group exhibition featuring artwork made from agave leaves discarded during the production of the popular mezcal spirit, will run in its Chase Gallery from Saturday, November 6, 2021 through Saturday, April 9, 2022. 

The diverse collection of artwork is curated by Trine Ellitsgaard and Kiff Slemmons, and ranges from prints and sculptures to carpets, furniture and apparel. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Mezcal has been part of Mexican life, gastronomy and culture for centuries, and has recently exploded in popularity around the world. However, mezcal’s newfound fame has created environmental problems for the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Once the agave plants are cut and distilled, there is an enormous surplus of leaves left to sit and dry until they are reabsorbed back into the soil. This creates an imbalance in the equilibrium of the local ecosystem, disturbing the soil and giving rise to insect infestation.

“The artists featured in Agave! have responded to this environmental crisis by transforming these discarded leaves into fantastic pieces of design,” said Epiphany’s Director of Art & Programming Aaron Baker. “They are participating in a virtuous cycle of turning a problem into an opportunity, of turning waste into beautiful, timeless objects. We are thrilled to be able to showcase their innovative artwork here at Epiphany Center for the Arts.”

Epiphany will host an opening reception for Agave! on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (register here for complimentary tickets), as well as ongoing programming throughout the show’s run that will include lectures, culinary demonstrations, and performances related to the exhibition. For more information and the latest schedule of events, visit https://epiphanychi.com/agave/. 

Agave! features the work of prominent U.S. and Mexican artists, such as Jim Bassler, Frank Connet, Angela Damman, Trine Ellitsgaard, Maddalena Forcella, Mariana Grapain, Anne Hirondelle, Ana Hernandez, Fernando Laposse, Miki Nagamine, Huemac Olivares, Michael Olszewski, Adán Paredes, Eric Ramirez, Aaron Robinson, Jose Angel Santiago, Kiff Slemmons, Veronique Tesseraud, Francisco Toledo and Venus y Loco.  

Select pieces featured in the exhibition will be available for purchase. To inquire about the artwork, please contact art@epiphanychi.com.

###

About Epiphany Center for the Arts

Conceived with the vision to return Epiphany to a place for people to congregate, the shuttered, historic Church of the Epiphany has been preserved and adapted into the Epiphany Center for the Arts, an iconic cultural hub “For the Good of Art, Entertainment and Events.” Thoughtfully designed, the exemplary 42,000-square-foot campus located on the artsy edge of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood boasts three distinct venues (Epiphany Hall, The Sanctuary and The Chase House) and a stunning array of amenities. The campus also features eight galleries that serve as a platform for a diverse selection of artists from Chicago and beyond. Epiphany’s exhibitions showcase the work of women, the LGBTQIA community, artists of color, and the disability culture. Epiphany’s top priority is to curate programming that is inclusive, while providing a place established artists can collaborate with emerging ones. Epiphany’s programming serves to unite community and artists alike while “Bringing Chicago Together.” Visit www.epiphanychi.com to learn more.