Open House Chicago

Every October, the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is proud to host Open House Chicago (OHC)—a free public festival that instills civic pride through providing access to places of architectural, historical and cultural significance, and highlights businesses, organizations and creative leaders making positive impact in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.

This year we are offering Limited Edition souvenirs for OHC 2025 - some created by local artist Ethan D'Ercole, and some upcycled from Open House Chicago banners.

About the Artist
Ethan D’Ercole graduated in 1996 from Washington University in St. Louis with a major in architecture, but in the years since has pursued a musical career in numerous Chicago based groups. Starting with Xeroxed band fliers and moving on to screen-printed “gig posters” in 2000, D’Ercole combined his love for music and preoccupation with architecture and urban spaces into a unique visual art form. Each work, like a well-crafted song, conveys a particular mood, or reveals a passing obsession or curiosity. The images, like lyrics set to music, convey a narrative.