EXPO Chicago Opening night with Hebru Brantley and Derrick Adams

Hebru Brantley, Midnight Blue. Photo Cred: Kyle Flubacker

THE COLLECTION: Where Art Meets Fashion, the multifaceted contemporary art program located within Fashion Outlets of Chicago, today announced it will present a special talk at the Opening Night of this year’s edition of EXPO CHICAGO featuring celebrated contemporary artists Hebru Brantley and Derrick Adams and moderated by Michael Darling, Chief Growth Officer and Co-Founder at Museum Exchange.

Hebru Brantley – Photo Cred: Kyle Flubacker

Titled Creative Voices: Fashion, Art, and Cultural Impact, the conversation will bring together the two artists, both of whom have site-specific works featured in THE COLLECTION, to discuss the dynamic intersections of art, fashion and culture, exploring how creative practices shape public spaces and trends in the industry. With Darling’s moderation, the discussion will highlight the ways in which art and fashion transform our understanding of community, commerce and creative expression. Creative Voices: Fashion, Art, and Cultural Impact will take place on Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. on the /Dialogues Stage at EXPO CHICAGO.

Derrick Adams – Photo Cred: Daniel Boczarski

Both artists have contributed unique, site-specific works for THE COLLECTION: Where Art Meets Fashion at Fashion Outlets of Chicago. In 2018, the center welcomed Derrick Adams’ Fashion Show, a seven-story, 4,082 square-foot mural and his largest work to date, in addition to Fashion Accessories, an accompanying lighting installation, both at the center’s main entrance.

In 2024, THE COLLECTION unveiled Midnight Blue by Hebru Brantley, featuring his iconic Flyboy character and a two-story mural encompassing Fashion Outlets’ central escalator – his first piece to include both mural and sculpture work.

Taking place April 24-27 at Navy Pier’s iconic Festival Hall, EXPO CHICAGO showcases leading contemporary and modern art galleries, alongside a diverse and inventive program of talks, on-site installations and public art initiatives. Inaugurated in 2012, EXPO CHICAGO draws upon the city’s robust history as a vibrant international cultural destination, while highlighting the region’s contemporary arts community.