Artist BIO

Martha A. Wade is a Chicago-based visual artist, curator, and educator whose work explores legacy, resilience, and the power of human potential. As a storyteller, and keeper of legacies, Martha creates vibrant, layered mixed media works that reflect the beauty, complexity, and strength of the human spirit.

She brings a sharp business mind to her creative practice. Martha earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago. This unique combination allows her to blend art and strategy—curating experiences that are both impactful and sustainable.

Her art began in the realm of dreams—filled with stars, symbols, and cosmic themes. Over time, it has evolved into work that stands grounded in the present. Her paintings capture everyday people in scenes of joy, resilience, and transformation. They are bold, emotional, and full of movement.

Martha is the daughter of Eugene “Eda” Wade, a celebrated muralist and educator who helped launch Chicago’s 1960s Black Arts and mural movement. He worked alongside artists like Bill Walker and Dr. Margaret Burroughs. He was also an early contributor to the South Side Community Art Center and the DuSable Museum.

Today, Martha serves as the executor of his estate. She continues his legacy by weaving his original drawings, prints, and creative spirit into her own work. Each collage becomes a visual conversation between generations. His past meets her present. His lines meet her colors.

She paints with oil, acrylic, ink, paper collage, and metal leaf—often on natural wood panels. The wood itself holds meaning. It represents memory, ancestry, nature, and connection. Gold leaf catches the light like hope. Paper collage layers in history. Each piece invites the viewer to consider who we are, and who we might become.

Martha now works full-time as an artist. She curates collections for corporate, school, and private clients. She is the Co-Founder of the Women’s LIVE Artist Studio (WLAS) at Navy Pier. This public gallery celebrates women artists through exhibitions, workshops, and live art activations. Under her leadership, WLAS has exhibited internationally, including at the 2025 Venice Biennale and at SCOPE during Art Basel Miami.

Martha is also a founding artist with Pigment International. She is a Paint the City muralist and the Creative Director at Connect Gallery in Hyde Park. In all of her roles, she uses art as a platform for storytelling, empowerment, and transformation.

To date, Martha has created more than 200 original works. Her paintings live in homes, galleries, and collections around the world. Her mission beyond the canvas remains the same: to create, to uplift, and to remind the world that art is not just what we make — it’s who we are.

Notable Exhibitions + Awards

• Hey Good People – Recycled Modern – Chicago, IL – May 2025

• In Retrospect – Blanc Gallery – Chicago, IL – March 2025

• Chronicles of Venus – Women’s LIVE Artist Studio, European Cultural Centre, Personal Structures – Palazzo Bembo, Venice, Italy – Apr to Nov 2024

• Small Works 15th Annual Show – Elephant Room Gallery – Chicago, IL – December 2024

• Nordstrom Artist Feature – Black History Month Showcase – Nordstrom Chicago – February 2024 & 2025

• SCOPE International Contemporary Art Fair – Miami Art Week, Miami Beach, FL – December 2023

• 6th Annual 12x12 Show – Elephant Room Gallery, Chicago IL – December 2023

• Silver Room Block Party – The Vibes Group Show, curated by Martha A. Wade, Connect Gallery – July 2023

• Artist In Residence – Navy Pier, Fifth Third Family Pavilion, Chicago, IL – Feb to Mar, 2023

• We’ve Been Doing It – Women’s Empowerment Show, West Town Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL – February 2023

• Culture – Ohio Black Fine Art Expo, KBK Foundation Group Show, Columbus, OH – October 2022

• The Best Side – Group Show, The Beverly Arts Center, Beverly, IL – September 2022

• Blaqe Gold – Group Show (curated by Martha A. Wade), Blaqe Everyday Collective, Chicago IL – June 2022

• Hidden Gems – Black History Month Artist Feature, The Goodman Theatre, Chicago IL – February 2022

• United Airlines Artist Feature – O’hare Airport United Executive Lounge, Chicago IL – February 2022

• Florecer – All Woman Group Show (curated by Martha A. Wade), Connect Gallery, Chicago IL – August 2021

• 12 x 12 Annual Holiday Exhibition – Elephant Room Gallery, Benefiting Earth’s Remedies, Chicago IL – December 2020

• We Are the Black Gold of the Sun – Solo Art Exhibition, Blanc Gallery, Chicago IL – October 2020

• Art of the City – Common Ground Benefit Exhibition, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago IL – December 2019

• Wade in the Waters of Our Ancestors – Father and Daughter Show, South Side Community Art Center, Chicago IL – July 2019

• Artist in Residence – The WNDR Museum, Chicago IL – June 2019

• The Love Affair Continues – 15 Year Anniversary Exhibit, DuSable Museum of African American History – February 2019

• Chicago Top5 – Group Exhibition, Connect Gallery, Chicago IL – July 2018

• Forty– Solo Exhibition, The Belmont, Chicago IL – April 2018

• Harlem Fine Arts Show – Riverside Church, Harlem, NY – February 2018

• Aqua Art Miami – South Beach Hotel, Miami, FL – December 2017

• American Justice | She Ain't Blind – Group Show, Steele Elliott Design, Chicago, IL – August 2017

• Farewell 44 | A Tribute to Barack Obama – NYCH Art Gallery, Group Exhibition, Chicago IL – April 2017

• Images of Inspiration & Hope – Noyes Cultural Art Center, Group Exhibition, Evanston IL – February 2017

• Spectrum Miami – Art Basel, Miami FL – December 2016

• Harlem Fine Arts Show – Life Creative, Chicago IL – December 2016

• I, Be – Group Show, Elephant Room Gallery, Chicago IL – September 2016

• Everything Must Go – Heaven Gallery, Chicago IL – October 2016

• 100 Canvases – Group Show and Art Auction, The Silver Room, Chicago IL – July 2016

• Emerging Artist Award – South Side Community Art Center, Art Auction, Art Institute Chicago – May 2016

• Music & Soul – Louis Armstrong Anniversary Exhibit - Beverly Art Center, Gallery Guichard, The Arts Bank, Chicago IL – April 2016

• Black Creativity Exhibit – The Museum of Science and Industry – February 2016

• Square Foot Art Basel Miami Redux – Projects Gallery, Miami FL – December 2015 & 2016

• Oak Park Mini Mural Project – Artist Outdoor Mural, Oak Park IL – September 2015

• Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series – Semi Finalist, Gallery Guichard, Chicago IL – November 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015

• The Native Series – Group art show and charity event, The Creative Space, Chicago IL – June 2015

• Bare Strokes IV, V, and VI – Live body painting event, LoCollective, Chicago IL - June, August, December 2015

• The Collaboration of Sexy – Collaborative Exhibition, Galleryna19, Oak Park IL, May 2015

• Harlem Fine Arts Show – Merchandise Mart, Chicago IL – November 2014 & November 2015

• Alpha Female – A Look Into the Feminine Energy by Reisha and Martha, UFAT Gallery, Chicago IL – August 2015

• K.L.E.O Community Family Life Center – 8th Annual Benefit Gala, Live painting and art auction, Chicago IL – August 2014 & 2015

• Golden Award Recipient, The Peace Project – Landmark Arts Building, Whole 9 Gallery, New York NY – December 2014

• Made of Stardust – Solo Art Exhibition, Galleryna19, Oak Park IL – September 2014

• Home is Where the Art Is – AllUsWe art collective group show, Galleryna19, Oak Park IL – June 2014

• Diaspora: The Art of Blackness – Group Art Show, NYCH Art Gallery, Chicago IL – August 2013

• Twitter Art Exhibit – International Group Show, Art Division, Los Angeles, CA – July 2013

• Bread & Circus – AllUsWe Art Collective Group Show, Definitive Selection, Chicago Il – July 2013

• Infusion Project Art Revolution – Live painting events, Beauty Bar, Chicago IL – December 2012