Cornelia Arts Building Chicago

Local artist studios

Erin from Chicago

""Cornelia Arts Building" in Chicago is a converted industrial studio right by the train tracks -- it's been decades ahead of this art trend..."

Chicago is not short on train tracks. Between the CTA's "El", Metra commuter trains, and Amtrak rail systems, you can stand pretty much anywhere in the city and hear a train whistle at some point or another. Alleys or streets flanking many of the elevated tracks are often lined with industrial buildings, and more and more of them are being converted into new businesses or places to access the arts and entertainment. Cornelia Arts Building did just this, but CAB was about 30 years ahead of the trend. It has served as working studio arts space since the mid 80s, and it continues to host new exhibitions of local artists, including CAB members and outside artists.

About three times per year, CAB hosts open studio nights, free for all art lovers, cheese nibblers, and wines sippers. CAB has that raw art studio set up because that's exactly what it is—a maze of squeaky painted wood floors and scuffed up drywall, leading you from one studio to the next, each with a personality to match its unique resident creative. If you ever went to art school, you’ll feel right at home. If not, you might wish you had. I especially love seeing local Chicagoans commit to art, some as career artists and others just passionate makers.

CAB sits at Cornelia Avenue and Ravenswood. It’s a quick walk from the Brown Line Addison or Paulina stops. Fun and literally COOL fact, the building began as an ice block manufacturing company. Pun intended.

Art & culture

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Chicago Spotter Erin

About me For work, I am a custom prosthetics specialist known as an Anaplastologist. Our field focuses on creating highly realistic, life-like prostheses for the face and body as an alternative for patients who cannot (or choose not to) undergo reconstructive surgery. My professional community is very small and I have colleagues all around the world. Outside of work, my wife and I love to travel as much as possible. We are suckers for good ambiance, a healthy glass of wine. Life is short, we want to enjoy every second. Why Chicago I have lived in Chicago ...

About this spot

West Cornelia Avenue 1800

USD

free

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Oct 2, 2025

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