The Chicago Art & Design Show heads to Navy Pier in April

Get ready for spring, because the season of rebirth brings opportunities to try something new. So if you've tried EXPO Chicago or SOFA Show, you could attend the inaugural juried art show at Exhibit Hall A of Navy Pier. It's happening on just one weekend in April and admission is free.

Art of all types will be on display including glass, jewelry, furniture, ceramics, sculpture, wearable art, and photography. Need more? There's also work from local furniture designers, graphic designers, and interior designers. Look at all 100 or so artists that will be judged in the show here.

Besides chatting with the creators, you can view live demos. Michael Imes, a prominent ceramist and artist in residence, will be creating large sculptures throughout the weekend. But if you need an incentive to get there first (besides taking fabulous Facebook and Instagram photos for your feed), then here's one: the first 100 attendees to arrive on Saturday will get a free festival poster from artist Jacob Sieg.

And if you can only make it on Sunday, fret not: you have one of 100 chances to get a free poster by Karina Llergo. And each artist will be available on their respective day to sign it. If you're on the fence on which day to attend, let your preference on the poster be your guide. Here's a look at one of them:

Jacob Sieg

And besides viewing art, you can please your other senses. Musicians will be performing throughout the event. And you can engage your sense of touch with your own talents. Bottle and Bottega will host three one-hour painting classes at their booth throughout both days.

Of course, when you work up an appetite from all this activity, you're still covered. Food and beverages of both the alcoholic and nonalcoholic variety will be available for purchase.

The show begins Saturday, April 8th and Sunday, April 9th from 10 am to 5 pm. But it's not too late to get involved as a musician, chef, or artist. Just apply here. Check out their site for more info on the show, and consider this to be one easy way of leaving the winter doldrums behind. While you’re at, why not take a spin on Navy Pier’s temporary installation of light-up musical seesaws?

• Previous Navy Pier coverage [Curbed Chicago]