Anthony Bartley

Missing the Cherry Blossoms doesn't mean you have to miss this hoodie! The Flower Girl Spring Blue Hoodies are on sale now at fadingroyalty.com or link in bio. These oversized fit, heavyweight hoodies will keep you warm through the spring thaw. Each hoodie has a unique touch with a hand stamped flower print that will naturally fade with wash and wear. Get yours before their gone. Also available physically at @localsoulchicago #cherryblossoms #hoodie #streetwear #spring

Mind Games LA was great, but we think Level 2 will be even better! Mind Games comes home with a Game Night Chicago May 1st at Connect Gallery from 6p - 12a. We'll be transforming the gallery into a world of play with games, installations, interactive art stations, and of course art from some very special Chicago artists :) Artists and sponsors will be announced over the next month. Tickets are on sale now at the link in my bio. A limited number of 2 Player tickets (BOGO) will be for sale as well. Come enjoy a game night with us 🥳 Recap video by @a_newvariety #chicagopopup #gamenight #exhibition

On May 22nd 2025, my first solo exhibition "Words I've Never Said" officially closed @connectgallery_ , and thus ends one of the most fun and rewarding things I've ever done. I showed 20 pieces of art that dealt with personal reflections on grief, relationships, and mental health while also inviting several collaborators and friends into the space to activate it over the 5 week run. These activations were all free to the community via a generous grant from @foundobjects Over the course of nearly 5 weeks, I received countless hugs, "thank you"s, "I'm proud of you"s, and so much warmth and love. From opening night to every activation we did, community showed up to support and participate new ways. From portrait day being full of smiles to mental health Mondays bringing out tears and laughter among men to herbalism workshops that went hours over the class time because people wanted to keep going; the amount of love in the space was always palpable. For as much weight as the phrase "solo exhibition" holds, I'm proud that I will always be able to look back and say there's a long list of people I can thank for helping me realize this vision. We need spaces like this, gatherings like this, and support from all sides to keep going. I won't be done anytime soon because I think I can say, with 100% certainty, I'm doing what I supposed to be doing. Creating art and these warm, safe spaces is work I can never tire of. Thank you and I love you to every attendee, participant, supporter, and collaborator. Now I get to rest and reflect on everything. More to come soon. - Anthony Thank you everyone who helped make this dream a reality (and put up with me during the planning phases): @foundobjects @itsbetterinprint @obiophotos @litbylexco @acpbyvla @me.in.serenity @pivotorpanic @richardopd @spiralsnloops @adoniabree @binkey1 @seller.san @kianijee.club @suspence.ful @jonathantaylorbridges @richrobbins @daje.murphy @prgirl911 @hopefortheday

We are excited to announce that we will be contributing to the “Mind Games” exhibition from @fadingroyalty 🎨 through an open jam session & open decks alongside @seller.studios 💿 We’ll be set to jam from 8-10pm then will find ourselves playing games with the @spiralsnloops activation 🎮 See you @connectgallery_ in Hyde Park on May 22nd! You can find the ticket link in our bio ✨ See you there!

11 days out from Mind Games Game Night! Come see art from a selection of amazing artists centering the concept of "play" including myself @ewrks_ @jo.elise.sc and @tylerbanthony On site installations and activations courtesy of @_frolicnflow @a_newvariety and @spiralsnloops Drinks by @jbfromchicago and food by @novel.pizza Come play games, see art, and enjoy a night of community with us at @connectgallery_ May 22nd 6p - 12a Ticket links in bio through eventbrite or partiful! #art #gamenight #play #exhibition #nostalgia

A video in case you needed more context for why Mind Games is an important personal venture for me. Realizing you've forgotten how to play as an adult is an uncomfortable feeling that I hope to never feel again. So even having the ability to play around with concepts like Mind Games has become a cemented part of my practice. From being able to create thematic work to bringing friends on board as team members Mind Games has opened up new routes for how I want to express. Join us for a night of games, art, food, and drink at Mind Games Chicago May 22nd at @connectgallery_ we'll be open from 6p - 12a. Art from myself @jo.elise.sc @ewrks_ @tylerbanthony activations courtesy of @spiralsnloops @a_newvariety @_frolicnflow More announcements soon. /e/mind-games-lv-2-a-curated-pop-up-of-art-and-play-tickets-1985612388104 PS thank you to my community that even when I'm absolutely burnt out and tired for reminding me my words are important

"Does the Chase Ever End?" Acrylic on Canvas 48 in x 48 in (arcade game is custom built and programmed based on the painting) The piece that started this crazy body of work. When I started this piece I had realized that I didn't really play anymore. No video games, no reading for fun, art making was becoming stressful. So I reached back to video games as a source of comfort, and we ended up here. Exploring my nostalgia feels good. Come see this work along with others alongside @tylerbanthony @ewrks_ @jo.elise.sc in person at Mind Games: Game Night on May 22nd at @connectgallery_ We're planning a night of fun as we explore what it means to play again in a world that discourages it. Tickets on sale now. /e/mind-games-lv-2-a-curated-pop-up-of-art-and-play-tickets-1985612388104

Some of my favorite pieces end up being the ones where I can recontextualize nostalgic elements through an adult lens. What does it mean to have to duck and dodge just to make it through the day? But what if you're dodging a chocobo? Or a gummi ship that you never wanted to build? Jaywalk was a piece that let me do just that. More than that, it serves as it's own video game companion piece on a custom programmed arcade cabinet that is fully playable. Come see AND play Jaywalk on May 22nd at Game Night @connectgallery_ alongside other works from myself, @ewrks_ , @jo.elise.sc , and @tylerbanthony Eventbrite or Partiful link in bio. P.S. Am I the only one that has always found Thomas unsettling? #arcade #videogame #frogger #gamenight #exhibition

Player 3 is definitely up there in terms of my paintings that I love, but struggled with. I'd gotten really into doing involved backgrounds and environments, and scaling back to an implied environment caused me more trouble than I'd like to admit 😅 Anyway come see Player 3 in all it's glory alongside a selection of other work from myself, @ewrks_ , @jo.elise.sc and @tylerbanthony at Mind Games Game Night on May 22nd at @connectgallery_ Eventbrite and partiful links in bio. $10 per person limited buy one get one tickets available. Player 3 36 in x 48 in Acrylic on unstretched canvas 2026 #games #art #exhibition #chicagoartist #play

...Or Nothing 9 in x 12 in Acrylic on Wood On sale at @shopl1chicago Yall remember nerf fights?? Should we bring a couple to game night 😂 Mind Games Game Night is happening 6 p - 12 a at @connectgallery_ on May 22nd! Come see some art by myself, @ewrks_ @tylerbanthony and @jo.elise.sc play some games, eat some food, and enjoy the community. Tickets on sale now at $10 per person with a limited number of buy one get one free tickets left. Eventbrite link in bio or tickets at the door. #art #exhibition #gamenight #play

Come celebrate the art of play at Mind Games Chicago: Game Night! Tickets on sale now. There are still some buy one get one tickets left, so hurry if you want them. As a reminder, the date has changed from May 1st to May 22nd. See you there! Art: Take Care, Acrylic on Wood, 9 in x 12 in. On Sale at @shopl1chicago #tamagotchi #play #painting #mindgames #gamenight

It comes with a range of sentiments as we prepare for a.grand finale of Low Vol. at Dome Studios current location. For a little over 2 years we have been cultivating a space for people to authentically connect and create with one another. And this Thursday is our final go at doing so in this space. Low Vol. is where you can turn down the noise of the outside world. It’s where we plant seeds and nourish them through an active application of the gifts that we have been blessed with. All of this blooms from collaborations, which is why we are excited to be partnering with such an incredible human being, Anthony Bartley @fadingroyalty , to showcase a preview of his “Mind Games” exhibition that will be premiering in Chicago on May 22nd 2026 at @connectgallery_ in Hyde Park. In the spirit of play, there will also be video games in the basement as support from @spiralsnloops 🌀 Thank you to our partners who are helping bring this to life Grab a meal over at @wishbonechicago 🦴 Connect with local food resources through @communityfoodnavigator 🌳 Food from @whowantsaplate_ 🥘 Mocktails from @elatebeverages_ 🍹 Open Decks hosted by @seller.studios 💿 Join us as we jam, paint, eat, draw, drink, share, connect, and grow! 🫂 7-11pm ⏰ @dome_studios 💃 1508 W 18th St 📍 RSVP at Link in bio 🎫