Gallery Guichard Soul of the Stone & the Field Museum "Sounds of Diaspora"

Gallery Guichard Presents Soul of the Stone at The Field Museum "Sounds of Diaspora"

Join us at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive on October 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM (Central Time) for an inspiring in-person event and panel discussion hosted by Gallery Guichard, Field Museum and Donate Life Illinois. Experience the captivating Soul of the Stone exhibition in the beautiful setting of the The Field Museum Sounds of Diaspora! Event entry is free with the purchase of a Field Museum General Admission ticket.

(https://www.fieldmuseum.org/landing/tickets-and-pricing)

Gallery Guichard and Donate Life Illinois proudly present “Soul of the Stone,” one of five city wide locations featuring an eight-month cultural and artistic experience celebrating the rich tradition of Zimbabwean Shona stone sculpture, in partnership with the Field Museum, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Chicago Park District, Garfield Park Conservatory, South Shore Cultural Center and Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network.

The Field Museum - For a afternoon of diasporic sounds in celebrating the opening of Soul of the Stone, which is about telling stories of history through handcrafted visual art. 

Song, sound, movement and art.

At the heart of this extraordinary exhibition is internationally-recognized Zimbabwean sculptor Ishmael Chitiyo, who has been commissioned to create a stone sculpture that will be featured in the Field Museum’s new Africa Hall, opening in 2028. As one of the largest and few Shona sculpture exhibits in the United States, Chicago will have the rare opportunity to discover the profound connection between the stone and the spiritual world, while experiencing the artistry and history of the Shona Tribe.

With more than 150 Shona sculptures on exhibition across partner galleries and locations through early 2027, Chicago communities are invited to attend each location’s opening reception to explore and experience a different part of the art installations and the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

Experience all of the stones at these locations:

• Gallery Guichard 436 E 47th St, Chicago Sept. 18, 6-9 p.m.
• City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)78 E Washington St, Chicago September 11, 2026 6-8 pm
• South Shore Cultural Center 7059 S South Shore Drive, Chicago Sept. 26, 12-2 p.m.

“The ‘Soul of the Stone’ exhibition allows the public to witness something rarely seen—the transformation of Shona stones into monumental works of art,” said Gallery Guichard Co-Owners Andre and Frances Guichard. “People will not simply view the finished sculptures; they will become part of their story by visiting each exhibition across the city, and we’re honored to bring this experience to Chicago with our talented artists and community partners.”