GALLERY GUICHARD PRESENTS SOUL OF THE STONE at Gallery Guichard!

Get ready to be mesmerized by stunning Shona stone art from the Mountains of Zimbabwe at Gallery Guichard's SOUL OF THE STONE exhibit!
About this Event

This event Soul of the Stone, Friday, September 18, 2026 6pm to 9pm at Gallery Guichard 436 e. 47th Street, Chicago, IL. 60653

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.

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, ChicagoTBD
• South Shore Cultural Center 7059 S South Shore Drive, Chicago Sept. 26, 12-2 p.m.
• Field Museum 1400 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Oct. 3, 12-4 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.”