The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture is currently presenting beLONGING: Lithuanian Artists in Chicago, a major exhibition extended through January 15, 2026.
Spanning more than a century of creative work, the exhibition brings together painting, sculpture, textiles, photography, prints, rare books, and archival material to tell a layered story of Lithuanian immigrant artists and their lasting impact on Chicago’s art scene.
More details about the exhibition can be found on the Balzekas Museum website.
A Century of Lithuanian Art in Chicago
Michael Ferro, Chicago artist and curator, is drawn to how beLONGING traces multiple generations of artists who made Chicago their home. The exhibition highlights three major waves of Lithuanian immigration, showing how artistic practices evolved as artists responded to new environments, political upheaval, and shifting cultural identities. Each work reflects a balance between preserving heritage and adapting to life in a new city.
Art, Migration, and Identity
The exhibition is organized around themes of belonging, displacement, and continuity. Visitors encounter works shaped by memory, ritual, activism, and personal narrative. Michael Ferro Chicago notes that these themes resonate far beyond one community, offering a broader reflection on how immigrant artists contribute to the cultural fabric of Chicago while negotiating their own sense of place.
Female Artists and Cultural Preservation
A notable strength of beLONGING is its focus on female artists and the role of art in preserving cultural traditions. Textile works, sacred objects, and community-based practices are given space alongside more traditional fine art forms. This approach highlights how creativity often serves as both personal expression and cultural stewardship.
Chicago as Creative Home
Chicago’s long-standing Lithuanian community provides important context for this exhibition. By situating these artists within the city’s broader art history, beLONGING underscores how immigrant voices have shaped Chicago’s creative identity for more than 100 years. For Michael Ferro, this exhibition is a meaningful reminder that Chicago’s art story is inseparable from the stories of those who built new lives here.
beLONGING: Lithuanian Artists in Chicago remains on view through mid-January, offering visitors a thoughtful and historically rich experience during the winter exhibition season.
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