Create, Inspire, Transform
Welcome to Evoke, a cutting-edge art gallery and production studio dedicated to emerging and mid-career artists. We stand out with our non-traditional approach to art and immersive experiences. Our studio nurtures continuous creation, enabling artists to construct, innovate, and bring brands to life. Join us to experience art in a unique ecosystem where creativity thrives alongside the artists.
Programing
Evoke Presents "Hyperreal" Exhibition
The Body as Fantasy, the Club as Dreamscape, and Self-Invention as Living Art
Exhibition Date: Saturday, April 19th | 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Exhibition Summary: Surrealism has always been a movement of transformation, a refusal to accept reality as fixed, an insistence on constructing new worlds through fragmentation, exaggeration, and dream logic. HYPERREAL presents a contemporary surrealist landscape, where the club kid movement is a central force in expanding the boundaries of selfhood, materiality, and embodied expression.
Through multi-media works including sculpture, painting, photography, film, and performance, this exhibition explores surrealism’s evolution beyond the canvas and into lived experience. In the club, the self is sculpted, remixed, and multiplied. Identity becomes an assemblage of mask and persona, the grotesque and the divine, the synthetic and the ephemeral. Club kids materialize surrealism onto their bodies, using fashion, found objects, and movement to construct hyper-exaggerated figures that exist outside conventional reality.
This exhibition also pays tribute to JoJo Baby, a Chicago icon whose presence in the underground scene embodied the surrealist ethos of self-invention. Their work, like that of so many club kids before and after, transformed the body into an artwork, dissolving the line between the real and the imagined, the ordinary and the otherworldly.
Evoke Presents the assemblage workshop
All Materials provided by The waste Shed
Exhibition Date: Wednesday April 23, 2025 | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
TOMORROW!! Make Your Look, Your Way!
No sewing, no budget, no rules. Just bold, DIY fashion built from salvaged materials, courtesy of our friends at The Waste Shed (@thewasteshed)
Join us for the Assemblage Workshop, where you’ll turn trash into club wear, and scraps into a statement. This is ephemeral fashion at its finest designed to be worn once, lived fully, and reimagined again.
Whether you’re a performer, a designer, or just here for the vibes, come build your club-ready fantasy.
Materials provided. You bring the vision or any extra elements you wanna work with!
Wednesday, April 23 | 5–8PM
FREE RSVP now and claim your place!
Evoke Presents Black & Brown & underground
an open forum celebrating the legacy of chicago nightlife.
facilitated by: Special guest, Lucy stoole, and evoke co-founders, hex parsons & Fabian Sotelo
Exhibition Date: Thursday, April 24th | 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Chicago’s underground nightlife has always been a space for innovation, rebellion, and self-expression, built by the Black and Brown creatives who made it their own. From ballroom to punk, raves to house music, the underground has shaped fashion, music, and community in ways that continue to influence culture today.
Black & Brown & Underground is an open forum celebrating the legacy of Chicago nightlife through the lens of style, identity, and cultural impact.
Facilitated by Lucy Stoole and Evoke co-founders Hex Parsons and Fabian Sotelo, this event invites nightlife pioneers, organizers, and community members to share their experiences, reflect on the evolution of underground spaces, and discuss where the culture is headed next.
Evoke Gallery x black girls in art spaces present the "hyper femme mix"
Exhibition Date: Saturday, April 19th | 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Join us for a landmark evening as Evoke Gallery, one of Chicago’s few Black woman-owned art spaces, collaborates with Black Girls In Art Spaces (BGIAS) for a special HyperWEEK mixer during EXPO Chicago.
Founded in 2022 by visual storyteller Kaci Merriwether-Hawkins, BGIAS has rapidly grown into a global community dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for Black women to experience and engage with art. This partnership with Evoke Gallery, marks a momentous occasion in celebrating Black creativity and community in Chicago’s vibrant art scene.
Come as you are, or as your most art-forward self. Let’s build, unwind, and celebrate our place in this ever-expanding art ecosystem.
Evoke Represented artists
October Sharify
We are proud to showcase the captivating works of October Sharify, a 25-year-old oil painter based in Chicago. Sharify's high-contrast, surreal, and chromatic pieces are renowned for their use of artificially sweet pinks and dark blues. Blending a deep interest in history and theology with feminine aesthetics and spiritual imagery, Sharify's art draws inspiration from their African American and Persian heritage. Immerse yourself in the unique visual language and cultural richness of October Sharify's stunning creations.
Vigo Vargas
Evoke Gallery proudly represents Vigo Vargas is a first generation Venezuelan American. A self-taught multi-faceted Director and Photographer, with a diverse background in Comedy and live performance. Born in Miami, FL and raised by Venezuelan Italian parents, his international upbringing naturally drives him toward creating compelling, human driven, high-end narratives within his projects.
Evoke Gallery works with a select group of artists whose work moves us. Each brings a distinct voice and approach, creating art that resonates and sparks connection.
Meet the artists who make Evoke what it is.
Featured Works
Evoke's SERVICES
GALLERY
At Evoke, we celebrate creativity and culture through our diverse range of exhibitions and events. Join us for private and public exhibitions, artist studio time, engaging workshops, inspiring artist talks, and vibrant networking events. Discover and purchase unique works of art and exclusive merchandise, supporting emerging and mid-career artists. Experience the dynamic and non-traditional atmosphere of Evoke, where art and community thrive.
PRODUCTION
Evoke is proud to offer a comprehensive range of production services to bring your vision to life. From building custom sets to creating stunning content for hire, our talented team is equipped to handle photoshoots, video shoots, and more. We also specialize in crafting immersive installations for private and public events. Partner with Evoke to transform your ideas into extraordinary experiences.
Art is personal. It’s messy, it’s real, and for Kenya Cree, it’s a way to share her story. We recently spoke with Kenya about her journey with ceramics—how working with clay lets her explore identity, the human body, and her own experiences. Every piece she creates feels like a piece of her—imperfect, but full of meaning. We’re excited to share a limited release of her 'Brown Body Vases,' a small collection of four pieces that celebrate the strength and beauty of the human form. Each vase is unique, reflecting Kenya’s hands and heart in every curve and detail. These aren’t just objects—they’re pieces of her story, and when you have one, you’re part of that. Head to Evoke Gallery’s online shop to learn more and get your hands on one of these vases while they last.
OCTOBER Sharify
We are proud to showcase the captivating works of October Sharify, a 25-year-old oil painter based in Chicago. Sharify's high-contrast, surreal, and chromatic pieces are renowned for their use of artificially sweet pinks and dark blues. Blending a deep interest in history and theology with feminine aesthetics and spiritual imagery, Sharify's art draws inspiration from their African American and Persian heritage. Immerse yourself in the unique visual language and cultural richness of October Sharify's stunning creations.
For those who wish to acquire a piece of this profound artistic expression, selected works are available for purchase. Please inquire through visiting our "Shop" page!
"Sycophant Snowblind" by October Sharify | 00000
"Plasticine" by October Sharify | 00002
"Benedetta" By October Sharify | 00001
kenya moffett-cree
Introducing...
Exclusive Art in Motion
Introducing Evoke Limited! A curated collection of handcrafted apparel designed by visionary artists. Each piece is meticulously created as a one-of-a-kind work, merging the worlds of art and fashion. Like the artwork in our gallery, these items are exclusive and will never be replicated. Own a piece of art you can wear. Pieces are available online and in-person!
Everyone give a warm "Hello" to Stevie, the mind behind STEVIECORE! Stevie is a NonBinary model, Jewelry maker, and artist based out of Chicago, IL! Stevie is excited to share their latest project: bags! For their first non-jewelry release, they have selected three FULLY customized purses: iridescent purple chainmail, replica 2000s LV faux leather, and black and pink leather "m." (Available now on the Evoke's Shop!) All purses are found secondhand, carefully cleaned, fitted with a unique complimentary stainless steel chain, appropriate hardware, and adorned with a combination of charms either reclaimed or specially selected from their personal collection. These bags are truly upcycled and given a new life through this process! Check out more of Stevie's work and portfolio on steviecore.com, and make sure to keep up with their instagram page (@st3viecore) to make sure you don't miss out any new drops!
JOIN EVOKE'S EMAIL LIST!
Want to stay in the know about what’s happening at Evoke Gallery? Join our email list to get updates on upcoming exhibitions, events, and special performances. You’ll get first dibs on RSVPs for limited-capacity events, plus behind-the-scenes insights into our artists and their work. It’s a simple way to stay connected and never miss out on what’s happening at the gallery.
© Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.