Smart Museum of Art

Ruth Duckworth, Untitled, c. 1974

Closing soon

Ruth Duckworth: Life as a Unity

This exhibition positions Ruth Duckworth as an innovative Chicago sculptor, deeply engaged in the natural world and responding to artistic developments in the U.S. in the 1960s and 70s.

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Photo by Bob.

Video feature

Clouds Over Lake Michigan

Ruth Duckworth retrospective marks the arrival of the monumental ceramic sculpture to UChicago. Discover the story behind the mural »
Jackson Mac Low, Drawing Asymmetry #42, 1961

Smart to the Core

Poetry is Everything

This exhibition from the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry examines the practice of poetry as a form of communication, linguistic innovation, political performance, and embodied presence. Learn more »

Upcoming Events

- Art Making
- Families
Sat. January 13 • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Family Day: Making Mosaics
- Performance
- General Public
Sun. January 14 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Bring Your Own Blanket
- Tour
- UChicago Students
Thu. January 18 • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Poetry 12 Ways
- Tour
- General Public
Sat. January 20 • 12:00 PM

Curator Tour: Poetry is Everything

View Full Calendar

Art in Public Spaces

From unexpected and arresting sculptures to temporary commissions, public art creates a powerful sense of place at the University of Chicago. Explore public art on campus »
UChicago Class Engagements

Staff at the Feitler Center are available to support teaching and research at the University of Chicago. Start a conversation with us »
Explore the collection

The objects in our collection support academic and artistic study, inspire new ideas, and foster reflection and conversation by our diverse audiences. Explore the collection online »

An abstract painted canvas draped on a green-blue museum wall

From the Blog

In an often bloody and fiery world, we must ask how beauty and devastation are construed, how color and valuation are apprehended, and how these considerations will inform us. A Smart Sightings reflection on Sam Gilliam’s Rim, offered in collaboration with the Divinity School’s Martin Marty Center.

In Defense of “The Crucifixion”

Fourth-year undergraduate Walker Byrd reflects on a noteworthy object with a disputed and fragmented history.

Mary Magdalene’s Invitation to Redemption

This depiction of the Crucifixion is special in that its iconography focuses on St. Mary Magdalene, presenting her as a role model for the Christ-loving, repentant sinner seeking forgiveness—and finding it. A Smart Sightings reflection offered in collaboration with the Divinity School’s Martin Marty Center.

Keeping Upright

An ekphrastic poem inspired by Whitfield Lovell’s Missoura, by gallery attendant and third-year undergraduate Avery Echols.

The University of Chicago

Sat. January 13 • 1 PM - 4 PM

Family Day: Making Mosaics

Sun. January 14 • 2 PM - 4 PM

Bring Your Own Blanket

Thu. January 18 • 5 PM - 7 PM

Poetry 12 Ways

View Full Calendar

Closing soon

Ruth Duckworth: Life as a Unity

Video feature

Clouds Over Lake Michigan

Smart to the Core

Poetry is Everything

Upcoming Events

Sat. January 13 • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Family Day: Making Mosaics

Sun. January 14 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Bring Your Own Blanket

Thu. January 18 • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Poetry 12 Ways

Sat. January 20 • 12:00 PM

Curator Tour: Poetry is Everything

View Full Calendar

Art in Public Spaces

UChicago Class Engagements

Explore the collection

From the Blog

Unfurling Color

In Defense of “The Crucifixion”

Mary Magdalene’s Invitation to Redemption

Keeping Upright

Support the Smart