Opening Gala
Thursday 6:00- 10:00 PM
Tickets Here
Come party with the artists! The Opening Gala for the CCPAF will feature exclusive previews of the upcoming shows, local vendors, a chance to rub elbows with all the amazing talent Chicago has to offer, and a one-night-only selection of prizes and auction items.
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Local Vendors
Shop local and meet the creators in person! Our vendors are all Chicago artisans, makers, and crafters.
Visit Kro and get a Poem on Demand!
Kro (they/them) has been writing for 20 years. They got their start with the Typewriter Tarts, a performance ensemble they co-founded with fellow typewriter poets Coelti Ticsay and Lisa Marie Farver, among others.
Kro hosts the Poetic Devices podcast, is the resident poet at the WNDR Museum, and is the author of Prayer Wheel, an art/ essay/ poetry/ activity book about the turning of the seasons, Buddhism, and Druidry.
Freddie Collier is a metalsmith and photographer born and raised in Chicago. Throughout the years he has practiced a variety of artforms ranging from classical voice performance to baking and currently finds great joy in making jewelry. As a fan of soft, fluid forms, Freddie incorporates them into his work wherever possible in lieu of more traditional straight lines. His current works are all composed of Sterling Silver and often include gemstones because everything is better with a little sparkle!
Frank Gallagher (they/them) is bringing their one-of-a-kind creations! From earrings to cuttings boards to brass flowers, every item is hand crafted and unique. Most items use reclaimed, reused, or scrap material.
Frank says: "At Big Gay Maker Company we are selling things that bring us joy, to survive capitalism."
coco + peach jewelry is an online only Chicago based jewelry brand, founded by Jessica Strang. Jessica’s family immigrated from Ecuador and Colombia and became jewelers, inspiring her to create her own brand of affordable and timeless pieces. $1 of every sale is donated to the Chicago Food Depository, equivalent to feeding three Chicagoans in need with every client purchase.
Nick Kokonas is an award winning bartender who lives and works in Chicago, IL. Over the course of his career he has played an integral role behind some of the most prestigious bars in the city; from the formerly Michelin-starred gastropub Longman & Eagle to working on the opening bar team at Danny Meyer/The Dead Rabbit collaboration Green River. He has participated in a number of the most prominent international cocktail competitions, finding success in Diageo World Class, Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender, and Bacardi Legacy, to name a few.
Silent Auction Items
 3 scavenger hunts at home!-Date Night Scavenger Hunt -City Scavenger Hunt for 10 -Virtual or In Person Team Building |  Tying and FlyingFirst-ever book on self-suspension, by Shay Tiziano of Twisted Windows! |  The Antelope BundleA journal of oral history and mayhem! The Antelope aims to record the beautiful and the odd. It strives to make visible through traditional and nontraditional documentation the full spectrum of human experience. |
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 Custom PoemA custom-order poem from the Traveling Typist! |  Avondale Bowl PackageIncludes 2 cards for 1 hour of bowling, for up to 6 people, and a bunch of great merch! |  Pat Kroth Fiber ArtA scarf from fiber artist Pat Kroth. All works are original one of kind, hand-crafted artworks made and signed by the artist. No reproductions are currently available. (Image for example only, does not represent actual item.) |
 Target Gift CardIt's like cash! Get a $150 gift card to Target for less than it's worth. |  Club Pilates1 month of unlimited classes at Club Pilates! |