Barely Fair 2026, the international contemporary art fair presented in a distinctive 1:12 scale format, will open on April 3rd in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood. Now in its sixth edition, the fair will feature 30 exhibitors and will run throughout the city’s Art Week, aligning with EXPO Chicago to accommodate visiting audiences.
About
BARELY FAIR is an international art fair at 1:12 scale. Operated by Julius Caesar artist collective, the invitational fair miniaturizes the architecture of a traditional art fair for exhibitors to share a tiny peek of their programming. The scale of booths is not the only unusual feature, as the fair includes a range of spaces not typically exhibiting in such close proximity. Annual exhibitors range from international blue chip galleries to artist-run project spaces, with all exhibitors presenting inside 20 x 20 x 12 inch booths.
The experimental presentation and collaborative spirit within the fair creates a unique opportunity for both gallerists, artists, and visitors to share in what art fair experiences can be. The conversation on art fairs has often talked about their cost as a risk, burden or even barrier to entry for many exhibitors, the art fair model remains a vital opportunity for gallerists to grow their programs with interest from new collectors, curators and media members. Combining an affordable fair opportunity with an approachable art fair experience for visitors, BARELY FAIR presents a special experience of contemporary art at a fraction of the size but all the punch of a tightly-curated contemporary art fair.
Soccer Club Club – Tyson and Scott Reeder Pickleman – Yoko Ono and Robert Gober
BARELY FAIR operates on a fully ticketed model designed to regulate visitor flow and enhance the viewing experience. By limiting capacity and pacing entry, the fair encourages a more focused engagement with the artworks, while also creating conditions for meaningful exchanges between exhibitors and visitors. Daytime tickets remain affordable, priced between $5 and $10, reinforcing the fair’s emphasis on accessibility.
The evening program departs from the large-scale openings typical of major art fairs, instead offering a series of smaller, curated gatherings. Central to this format is Lewis Bag, a speakeasy-style installation by artist and co-founder Tony Lewis, which functions as both a social and spatial extension of the fair. With cocktails, lounge seating, and an open bar, these events are structured to facilitate networking and sustained conversations among artists, gallerists, and collectors, reflecting BARELY FAIR’s ongoing experimentation with the conventions of the art fair model.
