Makers & Shakers Bash: A Celebration of Art + Activism in Chicago

Join Woman Made Gallery for the inaugural Makers & Shakers Bash, an evening celebrating art, activism, and the people who use creativity to make change. Come for the art, food, drinks and community; leave knowing a little more about the extraordinary people pushing our culture forward.

Whether you come for the art, the activism, to meet our remarkable honorees, or to enjoy an evening in a stunning Chicago venue, the Makers & Shakers Bash will leave you inspired.

In the first year of this annual tradition, we honor Scheherazade Tillet, our 2026 Maker, an artist whose work shifts culture, and Jane Ruby, our 2026 Shaker, an activist whose work moves communities towards equity and justice.

Spend your evening with art, music, fascinating guests and honorees, food & drink at Morningstar’s stunning headquarters and the best patios in the Loop:

• Hear from our Maker and Shaker about the work that drives them
• Listen - and dance! to Patch of Blues, an award-winning live Blues band and DJ Justeez who will be spinning sounds curated for the Makers & Shakers’ vibes.
• Sip Persephone’s Season, our signature cocktail and enjoy savory and sweet bites.
• Get a virtual tour of Feminism 250: Woman Made America - currently on view at Woman Made Gallery.
• Get artsy and show your colors at our hands-on art table.
• See the Resilience Community Quilt by Dorothy Straughter. Created with creative input from the guests at our 2025 Fundraiser.
• Support Woman Made Gallery’s work through our silent auction and mystery bags.

Come celebrate art, activism, and the people working to create a more just world for all of us.

Besides enjoying a memorable evening, your presence and contributions at our fundraiser will directly go towards helping Woman Made Gallery create opportunities for women and non-binary artists to exhibit ambitious, socially engaged work, while making that work accessible to the wider community. Your support helps make the next exhibition, artist opportunity, conversation and gathering possible.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor Wintrust, and to all our donors, partners and supporters whose generosity makes this evening - and Woman Made Gallery’s work - possible.