SOFA So Near

edited by Sheila Kim -- Interior Design, 9/1/2003 12:00:00 AM

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in the Windy City, Sculpture Objects & Functional Art has grown from a grassroots gathering of design visionaries to a "vibrant international art community with its own developing critical discourse," says president and founder Mark Lyman. Held at Navy Pier, this year's SOFA Chicago assembles more than 85 galleries and dealers from 12 countries, such as Galerie Tactus of Copenhagen, Modus Gallery of Paris, and New York's Heller Gallery.

An accompanying lecture series features glass artist Lino Tagliapietra, Savannah College of Art and Design professor Gillian Davies, and British fiber artist Eleri Mills. Kicking off the festivities, an October 16 preview benefits the art program at the city's Northwestern Memorial Hospital. October 16-19; 800-563-7632; sofaexpo.com.