EXPO Chicago

Founded by Michigan print dealer John Wilson, Chicago International Art Exposition premiered in May at Navy Pier.

In 1989, the leaky old sparrow-infested sheds on the pier were demolished and replaced by a mall, theatres, entertainment venues and convention exhibition halls.

Construction had been visibly slow, but it was not until the evening of Tuesday, April 25—two days before the fair was scheduled to open—that the news came out that Art Chicago was in trouble.

Blackman appears to have tried to arrange quick financing, including offering to sell his business the Friday before.

Embarrassingly, several international art dealers were turned away from the tent, where they had arrived to set up their exhibits.

[9] Although makeshift, the fair was professionally handled, and although many exhibitors expressed concern, only three out of 104 dealers dropped out.

At the same time, it was announced that Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. would buy the fair from Thomas Blackman Associates.

[14] Subsequently, the group under the name EXPO CHICAGO, decided to revitalize the annual International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art at Navy Pier.