In the swirling milieu of the early 1960s, a young and enterprising Chicago dermatologist, my father,  Dr. Irving Distelheim, found himself at a crossroads. The verdant fairways of golf courses no longer captivated his imagination. Instead, drawn by the allure of Chicago's vibrant art scene, he ventured into the labyrinth of galleries nestled within the illustrious Oak Street. 

As he immersed himself in the tapestries of color and form, Dr. Distelheim kindled friendships with the custodians of these artistic havens, connections that would soon alter the trajectory of his life.It was within these sanctuaries of creativity that a gallery owner, perceiving the kindling passion within Dr. Distelheim, planted the seed of a bold proposal: to curate his own gallery. This idea resonated within him, striking a chord that harmonized with his newfound zeal. Dr. Distelheim set into motion a plan that would eventually weave his name into the fabric of Chicago’s art legacy.His first step was to rally the talents of local artists whose skill was as formidable as their visions were profound. These inaugural signatures would be the cornerstone of his gallery. Yet, Dr. Distelheim's ambition reached beyond the shores of the Great Lake.

His heart was set on the School of Paris, a collective that had captured his imagination during his sojourns to the French capital. There, amidst the Parisian élan, he engaged with artists whose oeuvre spoke the universal language of significant artistic statements.Upon his return, the Distelheim Art Galleries blossomed into existence, greeted by the fanfare of a city rich in cultural appetite. Under Dr. Distelheim's stewardship, the gallery burgeoned, becoming a crucible for intellectual exchange through a series of erudite lectures by artists, critics, and connoisseurs alike. The gallery, in its illustrious tenure on 67 East Oak Street, became a linchpin of Oak Street’s artistic identity, fostering the city's art scene for 23 wondrous years.

Yet, as the seasons changed, so too did the chapters of Dr. Distelheim's life. The intricate ballet of managing both a medical practice and an art gallery beckoned for a curtain call. It was time for the lights of Distelheim Art Galleries to dim. But the narrative was far from over.

Here’s where I, as his youngest daughter, Lisa Distelheim Barron, come in a scion of this artistic lineage, who, with a heart full of homage and hands eager to sculpt a future, has taken the baton. 

My vision is a confluence of familial legacy and the pulsating promise of contemporary art. Partnering with me, she seeks to forge a new vanguard that venerates the past while boldly striding into the future.

Together, with Jefferey Cornett, we have conceived a space that will not only be a tribute to her father’s illustrious past but will also serve as a canvas for modern artistry. The new Distelheim Gallery is poised to house our exclusive Orange and Black Collection—a mélange of one-of-a-kind originals, limited edition prints, and even artisanal cards and papers. 

These pieces are not just artifacts; they are conversations in color, texture, and emotion.

As Jefferey’s partner, both in vision and in life, I stand humbly at the precipice of this renaissance, honored to have my work featured in the new iteration of the Distelheim Gallery. It is here, at this intersection of history and innovation, that we invite the world to witness the reinvigoration of a legacy and the birth of new artistic horizons.