Contemporary Art Workshop exists as another gallery to showcase up-and-coming artists, making this the perfect location to snag a piece that is affordable yet has the potential to increase in value as the artist's career matures. Most of the exhibits are solo showcases, but the gallery hosts two group exhibitions each year as well. The prices vary greatly depending on the type of work, but they are on par with those at Aesthetic Eye or Woman Made.

DvA has emerged as the place to buy quirky pop art, and owner David van Alphen has made sure that the goods in his gallery are taken seriously...but not too seriously. The space hosts monthly openings that are either centralized around a theme (see last year's My Bloody Valentine showcase) or contain work by one artist, such as an exhibit by Beavis and Butthead's Mike Judge earlier this year. While some rare pieces can cost a pretty penny, van Alphen prides himself on the affordable offerings, which can be priced as low as $200 but usually no higher than $1,000.

Though this is a college-based gallery, the displayed work is not entirely created by students. Prints, litographs and other works on paper are displayed on a rotating basis, with many of them available for purchase in the $200 range. The gallery often displays two group shows simultaneously, giving the viewer quite a few variations on style.

Moskow has been hailed as one of the most affordable galleries in the city, with good reason. Most of the work in this one-man, one-room gallery is priced well below $200, an extrodinary price for some of Chicago's lesser-known contemporary art. The only catch? Moskow is only open on the second Friday of each month, during the Chicago Art District's 2nd Friday's art walk in Pilsen.

As the sister gallery to the West Loop's furniture-riffic Function + Art, PRISM made it an early mission to provide a platform for emerging glass artists. While glass sculptures can be quite costly due to their delicate nature and unique form, the prices at PRISM are surprisingly affordable. The savvy sculptural glass buyer can walk out with a beautiful glass piece for around $1,000.

Those looking to replace the Dali posters of their college days with actual fine art should look to Sacred Art's variety of offerings at mind blowingly cheap prices. The accessible gallery offers everything from paintings to pottery to collage, in addition to a plethora of Chicago-themed art, priced at an average of about $100. Those wanting a larger or rarer piece can expect to spend closer to $2,000, but it isn't uncommon for customers to spend as little as $25 for a small painting.

Known mostly as Chicago's premiere location to brush up on lost artistic talents or to learn a new skill, Lillstreet's gallery represents as wide of a variety as its classes. The on-site studio spaces allow for plenty of artists-in-residence, many of whom take the opportunity to show and sell their wares in the gallery. From ceramics to textiles to painting to sculpture, the pieces sell for about one-third of what they would fetch in a high-end gallery.

Aesthetic Eye is West Town's answer to Roscoe Village's Sacred Art. As another art space that aims to bridge the gap between boutique and gallery, this storefront offers fine art in addition to furniture, jewelry and more, while maintaining group exhibits on an almost monthly basis. Prices vary depending on the artist, but it is not uncommon to find a large (18- by 24-inch) painting for around $500.

Those who pass by Rotofugi's Chicago Avenue store may not realize it's attached to an adjascent gallery. The semi-recent expansion has allowed this quirky toy store to host larger, more "serious" openings, where artists can be present to sign work and answer questions, and their art can continue to be displayed for around a month and a half, until the next opening. While it is not entirely uncommon to find work from sought-after toy designers and animators priced in the several thousands, limited edition prints and plush works can be found for between $20 and $250.

Founded as a way to "support women in the arts by providing opportunities, awareness, and advocacy," Women Made Gallery serves not only as a gallery but also as a female-centric community. Each juried group exhibition includes 5-10 artists, who sell their work for incredibly reasonable prices, with the average being around $300.