In Memoriam: ADDS DONNA (2010–2023)

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of ADDS DONNA, a small but vital force in Chicago’s art community, which closed its doors in June 2023 in Humboldt Park. Founded in 2010 by Jerome Acks, Jesús González Flores, Xavier Jiménez, and Justin Jackson, ADDS DONNA was more than a gallery; it was an experimental institution, an artist collective, and a laboratory for intellectual and creative exploration.

Over its 13-year lifespan, ADDS DONNA welcomed a vibrant network of voices and visions, with past members including Kaylee Wyant, Holly Murkerson, Flor Flores, Michael Milano, Laura Mackin, Ryan Richey, Daniel G. Baird, Robert Chase Heishman, Sam Jaffe, Bobby Meier, Jan Christopher-Berkson, Erik Wenzel, and Ashley Janke. Together, they cultivated a space that valued collaboration and inquiry, creating a haven for experimental projects and curatorial innovation.

From its inception, ADDS DONNA sought to bridge geographic and cultural divides, partnering with spaces like Essex Flowers in New York, SWDZ in Vienna, Trinity College in Palos Heights, and Half/Dozen in Portland, among others. Its aim was to elevate Chicago artists while forging meaningful connections to artists and curators in other cities.

But ADDS DONNA’s impact extended beyond its exhibitions. It was a hub for critical discourse, hosting independent study groups that delved into topics as diverse as Ancient Greek philosophy, science fiction, and the contemporary issues shaping our world. Its auxiliary programming included experimental sound performances, lectures, and film screenings, dance parties, weaving together cultural disciplines and fostering an atmosphere of intellectual rigor and creative risk-taking.

ADDS DONNA will be remembered for its embrace of odd pairings, their dazzling gin and tonics, Sunday Spicy Cheetos, and its unwavering belief in the power of collaboration. It was a space where art was not only displayed but deeply considered, where community was built through shared inquiry and experimentation.

Though its physical presence is gone, ADDS DONNA’s spirit lives on in the artists, curators, and audiences it inspired. It leaves behind a profound legacy of innovation, connection, and curiosity that will continue to shape Chicago’s cultural landscape for years to come.

Rest in peace, ADDS DONNA. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.