Nicolas Carone, who died in 2010 at 93, was a painter, sculptor, and beloved teacher of generations of artists. Megan Williamson, his student, has curated "Carone Centennial Chicago," one of five national exhibitions being produced to mark the centennial of his birth. The show features drawings, paintings, and a bronze statue that come from private collections and Carone's estate—they reveal a nimble draftsman whose energetic evocation of landscape and figure are evidence of a restless seeker of deep personal expression.

"Carone Centennial Chicago" is also the inaugural exhibit for Rare Nest Gallery in Avondale. Rare Nest is an unassuming storefront space located just off a quiet stretch of Milwaukee Avenue—but it harbors serious ambitions. Keith Bringe, its proprietor, told me he plans to concentrate future exhibitions on artists 50 or older, and he hopes to handle several artists' estates. "Carone Centennial Chicago" indicates that Rare Nest will likely become a go-to destination for fans of serious painting.