Explore fine art and antiques at Merchandise Mart design show

There are a lot of reasons to head downtown to the Merchandise Mart this week. For starters, there’s the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show, a sprawling event that will take over the riverfront landmark’s seventh floor from Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 19. After shopping, you can check out new digital projections at the Art on theMART installation.

Now in its second year, the design show will highlight collections of fine art, antique and estate jewelry, folk art, furniture, and antiquarian books from roughly 75 local and international exhibitors. Some featured items include stained glass Tiffany lamps, a glazed ceramic plate by Pablo Picasso, a silver Georg Jensen tabletop centerpiece, and Art Deco vases. Visitors can browse ancient artifacts and 20th century modernist furniture too.

The weekend-long event kicks off with a special opening night party and preview benefiting the Woman’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Thursday. Regular $20 admission is available at the door on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.