• Distelheim Gallery™ collections are thoughtfully assembled to provide an immersive experience that educates, inspires, and evokes curiosity. Through each painting, sculpture, photograph, and installation, visitors are offered an intimate glimpse into the intricate tapestry of human experience, as seen through the eyes of artists who have mastered the art of storytelling through their chosen medium. It wasn't look that he became friends with several of the gallery owners, and then one of his new friends suggested Distelheim open his own gallery there. (learn more)Shop online with the same kind of spirit and love of art once found in the original location of this 67 East Oak Street in Chicago.

    Each piece of art is not merely an object of aesthetic

  • admiration but a profound journey into the mind of its creator and the cultures that shape its essence. Our proprietary collections are not just curated but created with the gallery brand in mind under the guiding principle that "Each Work Is A Journey,"inviting our patrons to embark on an exploratory path that traverses historical epochs, dances across the contours of diverse geographies, and delves into the myriad human emotions captured by our art.This ethos is woven into the fabric of our exhibits, as we showcase a range of works from timeless classics to contemporary marvels, each selected for its unique ability to transport viewers to distant realms, both external and internal.Shop online with the same kind of spirit and love of art once found in the original location of this 67 East Oak Street in Chicago.

Creating A New Legacy For Today's Art Lovers

Bringing Chicago's Oak Street Art Experience On Line

Now reimagined and managed by the daughter of the original gallery owner our hope is that this online experience captures the by gone essence where In the early 1960’s, a young and successful Chicago dermatologist named Irving Distelheim MD, tired of playing golf on his day off, instead began visitng various art galleries on and around the city’s famed Oak Street. Bringing the Chicago Oak Street Luxury Shopping Experience to one of the most varied and unique art collections and experiences online and in limited live exhibitions.

curated selection of artworks that invite exploration and reflection, bridging the gap between traditional art appreciation and the digital age

The Distelheim Gallery, originally a cornerstone of Chicago's Oak Street art scene, has gracefully transitioned into the digital realm, continuing its tradition of curating immersive and thought-provoking art collections. Under the stewardship of Lisa Distelheim Barron, daughter of founder Irving Distelheim, and in collaboration with Artistic Director and Artist-in-Residence Jefferey Cornett, the gallery offers a diverse array of exclusive, limited-edition artworks.

  • One of the gallery's standout features is The Orange & Black Collection™, which delves into the dynamic interplay between these contrasting colors. This collection includes pieces like "Resonance Disrupted," "Patina Over Orange," and

  • "Orange Eclipse," each available in various formats, from large-scale artworks to personal note card sets. The collection aims to evoke a wide range of emotions and themes, encompassing power, beauty, and romance.

  • The online gallery's commitment to fostering a deep connection between art and its audience is evident in its thoughtfully assembled collections designed to educate, inspire, and evoke curiosity. This ethos is woven into the fabric of their exhibits, showcasing works that transport viewers to distant realms, both external and internal.

A Snapshot Of The Orange & Black Collection™

  • "Tangerine Whorl" is an abstract expressionist piece that features a bold, black circular shape on a textured tangerine orange background. The black shape is not a perfect circle but more of an organic loop, giving the impression of motion, as if it were a brushstroke captured mid-swirl. Click Here To Access The Collection

  • "Resonance Disrupted" is a striking abstract piece that utilizes a bold contrast of black against a fiery orange background. The artwork features a series of dense black horizontal bars that are evenly spaced and stretch across the width of the canvas.Click Here To Access The Collection

  • "Patina Over Orange" is an intriguing table top or bookshelf-sized limited edition artwork forming part of The Orange & Black Collection. It presents a vibrant composition of black dots overlaying a textured, orange-hued backdrop that suggests a weathered yet energetic patina effect. Click Here To Access The Collection

  • "Coded Rhythms" consists of two vertical columns of horizontal black brush strokes on a vibrant orange background. The strokes vary slightly in length and thickness, which suggests they may have been hand-painted or drawn, providing a textured, organic feel. The uniformity of the lines and their arrangement into two columns give the work a rhythmic and structured appearance, reminiscent of a musical score or barcode patterns. Click Here To Access The Collection

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Coming soon

"The Crimson Divide"

This work by Jefferey Cornett bridges the emotional depth of abstract expressionism with a textural richness that feels distinct and modern, leaning into themes of contrast and conflict. gives the title a sense of weight and significance, as if referring to a profound or symbolic separation.

Compare this work with that of Mark Rothko (Abstract Expressionism) As this painting resembles Rothko's work in its use of large fields of color to evoke emotion. However, while Rothko's transitions between colors are often soft and meditative, Cornett's bold textures and dynamic brushstrokes add an expressive, tactile quality that suggests a more turbulent energy.

"Prismatic Currents"

This vibrant artwork,"Prismatic Currents" features cascading vertical forms that merge a spectrum of colors and textures. Layers of rich blues, purples, greens, and oranges interact with lighter tones, creating a dynamic sense of motion. The piece blends organic elements—suggestive of dripping paint or flowing water—with textured patterns and bold strokes. The white background enhances the contrast, allowing the colors and forms to stand out, while subtle details like curved, fingerprint-like lines at the bottom ground the composition with a tactile dimension. Like Pollock’s drip paintings, this piece evokes a sense of spontaneity and fluid movement.

However, Cornett's work incorporates more structured verticality, offering an organized rhythm compared to Pollock's chaotic splatters.

SHOWING THIS SUMMER BEFORE LISTING

COMING SOON

"Gaze Through the Abyss"

This artwork is a striking, multilayered abstract composition dominated by shades of blue, textured patterns, and fragmented, overlapping imagery. Central to the piece are human eyes, sketched with raw expression, peering through the layers of paint and textures. The work juxtaposes organic and geometric elements, such as dots and grids, evoking a sense of mystery and introspection.

The piece blends figurative and abstract elements, creating a dreamlike and emotionally charged atmosphere. The use of blue tones conveys depth, introspection, and a touch of melancholy. The textured patterns and layering techniques give the work a sense of dimension, as if the viewer is looking through veils of memory or consciousness. The recurring eye motif symbolizes perception, awareness, or even surveillance, challenging the viewer to confront what lies beneath the surface

COMING SOON

"Echoes of Color"

"Echoes of Color" is an abstract composition characterized by bold, textured blocks of color—vivid blue, fiery orange-red, and golden yellow—set against a deep black background. The piece contrasts vibrant energy with a sense of grounded stillness. The textures within the color blocks create depth, while their sharp edges and placement suggest a dynamic tension between harmony and dissonance.

This artwork evokes a sense of movement and emotional resonance, inviting viewers to explore the interplay between light, color, and form. The choice of bold primary tones layered on a dark canvas gives the work a timeless yet contemporary feel, reminiscent of the abstract expressionist movement while maintaining its own unique voice

COMING SOON

The Blue Room Collection Premieres This Spring

  • "Eyes of Reflection" (Shown above )this piece captures a haunting and evocative gaze, with a predominant palette of blues and whites, evoking feelings of introspection, melancholy, and depth. The textured, almost mosaic-like layering adds a raw, emotional quality to the image, giving it a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere.

  • The work is reminiscent of Vincent van Gogh's emotional and textured brushwork, particularly his use of intense blues seen in pieces like The Starry Night. It also echoes elements of Edvard Munch's The Scream in its emotional intensity and somewhat distorted, raw human expression.

  • Additionally, the abstraction and focus on the gaze could draw comparisons to Francis Bacon, whose portraits often conveyed psychological depth through bold, unconventional techniques.

    The Blue Room Collection™ is premiering early this spring.

  • Contemporary Fusion

    The gallery doesn’t shy away from juxtaposing modern works with historical influences. This interplay often creates a layered narrative that allows viewers to appreciate how art evolves over time while still honoring its roots

  • Eclectic Collections

    The gallery is known for curating bold, eclectic collections that challenge traditional artistic norms. Instead of adhering to specific genres or styles, Distelheim values originality and storytelling, ensuring each piece in its collection has a unique voice.

  • Humanity and Emotion

    Distelheim Gallery has a history of selecting works that deeply resonate with human emotion, culture, and personal stories. Whether through evocative portraits or thought-provoking abstracts, their pieces often explore themes of identity, resilience, and human connection.

  • Interdisciplinary Approach

    The gallery often merges different artistic disciplines, showcasing works that cross the boundaries of painting, sculpture, digital media, and even performance art. This interdisciplinary approach encourages viewers to think beyond traditional art forms

  • Art & Conversations

    Works showcased at Distelheim often aim to provoke thought or discussion. The gallery’s focus on art with a message—whether cultural, social, or philosophical—makes it a space for dialogue rather than just passive viewing

  • Centered Philosophy

    Distelheim emphasizes building a relationship between the art, the artist, and the audience. Through workshops, artist talks, and events, the gallery fosters a sense of community that goes beyond the transactional nature of buying and selling art