CEZANNE IN THE CITY

Summer in Chicago is often lauded for the few months of the year when its residents can revel in the warmth and sun of the outdoors. This season, however, it is what is featured inside the Art Institute of Chicago that is the talk of the town with crowds enjoying the scenery of the exhibition Cezanne running through September 5. The retrospective, the first in nearly a quarter-century, focuses on the French artist’s enduring modernity in style and spirit. The oeuvre of Paul Cezanne (1839-1906) is examined through various perspectives, from his technique and subject matter to his interactions with contemporaries, and subsequent influence on future followers. How he portrayed people, depicted still-lifes, and captured landscapes is examined for its continuing relevance today through the scholarship of Gloria Groom, Chair and David and Mary Winton Green Curator of European Painting and Sculpture, and Caitlin Haskell, Gary C. and Frances Comer Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. The pair also worked closely with the London’s Tate Modern where the show will later travel. John D. and Alexandra C. Nichols provided lead support of the exhibition. Art Institute of Chicago Trustee Alexandra Nichols shares, “It is thrilling to be a part of this once-in-a-generation retrospective of Cezanne’s work. The exhibition is beautiful and is an important reflection of Cezanne’s profound impact and ongoing influence on the world of art.” For more information, visit artic.edu.

ALFRESCO

THE LOT, an exciting new alfresco dining and entertainment destination located in downtown Highland Park opens this summer. The city will transform the south portion of the St. Johns North lot at the northwest corner of Central and St. Johns into a dynamic, flexible multipurpose event space. From June to December, The Lot will host an eclectic line-up of events including concerts, fairs, and food festivals. From specialty markets to unique dining, family-friendly weeknights to lively weekend concerts, there’s something for everyone. The Lot is sure to attract a vibrant and diverse crowd to explore all that Highland Park has to offer, showcasing its restaurants and shopping options. For more information, visit enjoyhighlandpark.com/the-lot.

GLASS HOUSES

HARTLEY BOTANIC is a historic English business specializing in luxury, bespoke, and handmade aluminum glasshouses and greenhouses. Operating from the same factory in Lancashire, in the North of England, since 1938, the company has earned an unrivaled reputation for crafting “the finest glasshouses and greenhouses money can buy.” It is the greenhouse manufacturer of choice for leading horticulture organizations, institutions, and designers worldwide. Blenheim Palace and Hampton Court Palace are just two of the illustrious places that have commissioned Hartley Botanic structures. Despite being a historic English business, the brand’s international sales have grown 144 percent since 2017. Hartley Botanic’s dominant market is the United States where the company’s contemporary Modern Horticulture line is particularly popular. All Hartley Botanic greenhouses and glasshouses are handmade in the United Kingdom before being freighted to the United States. Thus, U.S. customers have access to the same structurally superior products and the same 30-year lifetime guarantee. For more information, visit hartley-botanic.com.