In September 2001 Aron Packer opened his current space in the thriving West Loop gallery district in Chicago. Since 1987 Packer has mounted over 100 exhibitions. Over the years his focus has shifted from folk art to predominantly contemporary art, curating what he considers to be compelling, whatever the genre. This means a little obscure, idiosyncratic, and the road not obviously taken.

Short History

Aron Packer started collecting folk art by osmosis-his parents owned an antique quilt gallery called The Wild Goose Chase. He was always more interested in the odder material-- hand carved canes, original tattoo drawings, sideshow banners, African American quilts, etc. -- that in turn led to being a dealer in American folk art.

After years of selling folk art at antique shows, Packer decided he would curate shows in his own apartment. Through his travels he sought out unknown folk and/or outsider artists that had more interesting talent than many of the typical names. After creating a small network of collectors interested in his vision, he began to include contemporary artists.

These shows ran four times a year. Packer still exhibits two artists he had in some of his first shows, Chris Garofalo and Lucy Ruth Wright Rivers. In 1992 he found a permanent space on the second floor of the Flat Iron building in Wicker Park. This coincided with the first exciting years of Around the Coyote, and the alternative gallery scene that included Beret International, Ten in One, and Space Gallery. Over the years the Wicker Park neighborhood had shifted. It was time to make a change so temporary shows were next over a two-year period. In late 1999 he joined forces with a River North gallery bringing many of his artists and his vision with him. This lasted eighteen months. Deciding to take the great leap forward yet again, in September 2001 Packer occupied his largest space to date, on the second floor of the 118 N. Peoria gallery building which also houses FlatFile, Rhona Hoffman, Peter Miller, and Walsh galleries.