02/10/2025
Chicago Imagist artist donated his home and art collection to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago shortly before his death in 1996. For over 25 years, it served as a magical and one-of-a-kind resource in the city for students, artists, and visitors from around the world.
Pentimenti filmed and worked extensively in the archives of the Roger Brown Study Collection (RBSC) to tell Brown’s story, alongside his friends and colleagues, in our 2014 film Hairy Who & the .
This video celebrates the enigmatic mix that was found at RBSC — more than 2,000 artworks by Chicago Imagists and non-mainstream artists, folk and indigenous art, objects from material and popular culture, costumes, textiles, furniture, travel souvenirs, and more.
Regrettably, the SAIC sold the contents of the Study Collection with little outside input in late 2023.
Now, over the objections of many, the School is selling the building. And with no City of Chicago landmarking in place, it could be demolished by any future owner.
As covered recently in the Tribune, Crain’s, and Blockclub Chicago, a coalition of alumni, faculty, students, and members of the broader community are circulating a petition, already over 500 signatures, asking:
“We implore SAIC to reconsider this sale. This property has local, national, and international significance to a broad community of artists, art historians, art lovers, preservationists, architects, and just regular folks for whom it has provided literally life-changing opportunities for inspiration and education. SAIC owes its protection to that community, their own current and future students and faculty, and to the Estate of Roger Brown.”
Find the petition linked in our bio to take action.
