Smart Museum of Art

Ruth Duckworth, Untitled, c. 1974

Now open

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. December 9 • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Family Day: Play with Clay!
- Talk
- General Public
Thu. January 11 • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Night of Ideas: What Lies Ahead?
- Talk
- General Public
Thu. January 25 • 6:00 PM

Embodying Climate

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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 »

A detail of a charcoal drawing on wood of two men in old-fashioned suits

From the Blog

Embodying Religion in Rodin’s The Cathedral

In the first Smart Sightings reflection offered in collaboration with the Marty Center, Lauren Pond writes about the ways in which August Rodin’s sculpture speaks to ideas of embodied religion.

Keeping Upright

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

Kathia Rodriguez reflects upon art as an experience, as a journey, and as a source of wonder, and shares a sticker design inspired by her UChicago student experience at the Smart Museum. The limited edition sticker will be available at the 2023 Student Activities and Resource Fair.

Support the Smart

The Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago opens the world through art and ideas. Join our community.

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The University of Chicago

Sat. December 9 • 1 PM - 4 PM

Family Day: Play with Clay!

Thu. January 11 • 5 PM - 8 PM

Night of Ideas: What Lies Ahead?

Thu. January 25 • 6 PM - 7 PM

Embodying Climate

View Full Calendar

Now open

Ruth Duckworth: Life as a Unity

Video feature

Clouds Over Lake Michigan

Smart to the Core

Poetry is Everything

Upcoming Events

Sat. December 9 • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Family Day: Play with Clay!

Thu. January 11 • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Night of Ideas: What Lies Ahead?

Thu. January 25 • 6:00 PM

Embodying Climate

View Full Calendar

Art in Public Spaces

UChicago Class Engagements

Explore the collection

From the Blog

Embodying Religion in Rodin’s The Cathedral

Keeping Upright

2023 Alum Sticker Commission

Support the Smart