New essential Chicagoan: Carrie Schneider

When artist Schneider first caught our attention in October 2008, she was wearing a headdress made of juniper branches. Schneider’s photographic self-portrait Queen of This Island (Utö) was part of her fascinating first solo show at moniquemeloche gallery. By the end of last year, it seemed as though everyone knew the SAIC M.F.A.’s work: Her photographs appeared in group shows at the Hyde Park Art Center and Sullivan Galleries, as well as at the James Hotel. Plus, the Museum of Contemporary Art selected her short film Slow Dance for its December “UBS 12 x 12” exhibition.

Schneider’s new Chicago essential The photog says the Whistler (2421 N Milwaukee Ave) “quickly became one of my ‘essential’ hang-outs” after the Logan Square bar opened around the corner from her studio in fall 2008. “Whether getting an early happy-hour cocktail with my oldest best friend, celebrating my little brother’s engagement or watching great local bands play, [it’s] one of the coziest places I can imagine going that isn’t my own apartment,” she says. “Plus, the fancy drinks are relatively cheap, so you can feel sort of elegant all night—even if you have to round out the evening with a PBR.”