The Arts of Life

The Arts of Life’s 2010 Awards Show is February 11

Join The Arts of Life for its 2010 Annual Awards Show! Celebrate ten years of Building community through Art by attending our biggest event of the year, where we showcase the personal and creative achievements of our artists!

It will be February 11, starting at 6PM, at the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave). There will be appetizers, wine, beer, silent auction of new artwork, 50/50 raffle, and our AWARDS PRESENTATION! Hosted by Cameron Esposito, who Time Out Chicago calls “HILARIOUS”!! Get your pre-sale tickets for only $30 today, $40 at the door!

Remembering Ronnie – A Celebration of Veronica Cuculich’s Life

An important message about Arts of Life founder Veronica Cuculich

Dear Friends,

It is with the greatest sadness that I write about the death of our founding artist, Veronica Cuculich.  After a month at Rush Hospital, Ronnie passed away on Friday January 1, 2010.

I don’t know where to begin to express the depth of this loss to me personally and to our community.  Ronnie, affectionately called Granny by those who knew her best, was the influence and drive behind our studio community and it is hard to believe we have to say goodbye.

Looking back on her life and the fifteen years of friendship that we shared, I am always amazed by her spirit and love of life.  Even at 79 years old, she was larger than life.  Not only the matriarch of our community, but a member of our band playing gigs throughout Chicago and partying like the rock star she was.

It warms my heart to know that through her work as an artist and musician, she was able to share her spirit and kindness with so many people.  Having over 300 pieces hanging in houses all across America is a true testament to the mark she has made through her talent.

Of everything to share about Granny what stands out most to me is how much love she had.  Growing up in the state of Illinois, being taken away from her family at 10 years old, and living in the worst conditions for more than half her life, she still had so much love to give.  Each time we were together, and I’m sure many of you feel the same way, she would say something or do something that made me feel special.  Made me know how much she loved me.  My favorite was when she would gently touched my cheek and say “I love you, you’re my best friend”. No matter how many times she touched my cheek, each time I could feel the connection we had, the friendship that was equally important to both of us.  I’m not naive, I know she was a “two-timer” and loved a million people and had hundreds of best friends, I feel lucky to have been among all of them.

I know you are all as sad as I am at this loss, but Ronnie would want us to celebrate her life and tell us we were pretty “redicable” to be crying when she loved us so much. She died without pain and peacefully.  I’d like to think that the last thing that went through her mind was….

“La Dee Da”.

Please keep Saturday January 30, 2010 open as we are planning a memorial celebration of her extraordinary life.

Thanks to all of you who loved and supported her throughout her life.

Denny

The Arts of Life receives EPIC Grant

The Arts of Life has been chosen as one of three recipients of the EPIC (Engaging Philanthropy, Inspiring Creatives) Winter Rally grant for the first quarter of 2010.  Read below how EPIC will be working side by side with our arts studio.

EPIC helps creative professionals and nonprofits join forces, making a bigger impact on the world than either could alone. In regular intervals, we are pairing select teams of “creatives” from the ad/design industries with select nonprofit clients dedicated to education, children and families. During what we call an “8-week creative rally,” each team creates plans, programs, and materials—on a pro-bono basis—that their nonprofit client needs to positively affect the lives of those they serve.

Teams meet once weekly at an ad or design “host agency”—drawn from a pool of Chicago’s most sought-after shops. The Creative Director or Principal Designer at each firm leads the team, which is composed of: copywriters, designers, art directors, strategists, account planners, project managers, public relations experts, web mavens, photographers and anyone whose skill set matches the client’s specific needs.

EPIC follows up with the nonprofit clients who we have served by providing an EPIC “Ambassador” who is available for 2 months after the rally is complete to help roll-out the program that EPIC has created. And, at the close of each year, work produced in rallies is juried in a year end EPIC show and fundraising event.

The Arts of Life to appear in the Judy Saslow Gallery

December 4, 2009-January, 2010
Opening reception Friday, December 4th 5-8pm

Wonders of Winter 2009
An Exhibit of Art Groups in Chicago for Adults with Disabilities

Chicago-Area Artists with Disabilities Working in Studios Supported By:

El Valor
Esperanza
The Nathan and Kiyoko Lerner Foundation
Project Onward
Arts of Life

Please Click Here to View Artworks

The Judy A Saslow gallery is proud to present Wonders of Winter, an exhibition featuring Chicago-area artists with disabilities and the studios that support them. Namely, El Valor, Esperanza, The Nathan and Kiyoko Lerner Foundation, Project Onward, and Arts of Life.

El Valor’s mission is to support and challenge urban families to achieve excellence and participate fully in community life. Our programs exist to enrich and empower people with disabilities, the disenfranchised and the underserved.

From its roots in the Latino community, El Valor has grown into a multicultural, multipurpose organization. Its mission reaches thousands of families in the Chicago land area, and millions throughout the nation. Today, El Valor is building stronger, more inclusive communities by supporting adults with disabilities, promoting early childhood development, enriching youth, strengthening families and encouraging leadership.

El Valor was founded in 1973 by the late Guadalupe A. Reyes. A visionary leader and mother, Mrs. Reyes dreamed of a community in which all members, including her son with special needs, could live, learn, and work. She and several others took out a small bank loan and borrowed a church basement in Pilsen where they started the first bilingual, bicultural, rehabilitation center in Illinois and named it El Valor, meaning “Courage.”

Esperanza community services is dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities from infancy to adulthood through programs in English and Spanish. Esperanza provides individual therapeutic, educational, and artistic services that promote the skills that increase independence and a sense of belonging in the community. The staff of Esperanza shares the belief that all people should have the opportunity to work together and build meaningful lives.

The studio art program at Esperanza’s Coleridge Adult Training Center provides artists with workspace and materials for their artistic endeavors. In addition, facilitators organize exhibitions and events.

Esperanza’s programs for the adults in art and craft include studio arts, woodworking, weaving, quilting, piñata production, papermaking, origami, paper mache, candle making, and mosaics. Other programs include imagination workshop improvisational theater, choir, music, and eurhythmy.

The discovery of the life’s work of Henry Darger, long time tenant of Nathan and Kiyoko Lerner in 1972, served as the inspiration for the development of The Nathan and Kiyoko Lerner Foundation in 1997.

The goal of the foundation is to provide an environment in which artists with mental illnesses can explore and develop their creative visions. For 9 years this is exactly what happened. A wonderful community of artists has developed at Thresholds South. Although Thresholds already possessed a number of artists in their membership, people who over the years felt the desire to make drawings, paintings and other expressive creations, the Lerner Foundation offers an opportunity for further development of skills, experimentation with media and growth as artists. The foundation also works with people who have little or no artistic background, but an interest in learning and exploring the possibility of creative expression.

The Nathan and Kiyoko Lerner Foundation has been partnered with Thresholds South since its inception in 1997. Thresholds South is a branch of the Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centers. Thresholds mission is to assist and inspire people with severe mental illnesses to reclaim their lives by providing the supports, skills, and the respectful encouragement that they need to achieve hopeful and successful futures.

The mission of Project Onward is to support the creative development of visual artists with developmental, cognitive, and mental disabilities.

Project Onward is a program of the city of Chicago department of cultural affairs and maintains a studio in the historic Chicago cultural center. Here studio space, art supplies, and professional guidance are provided to emerging artists in a communal workshop environment.

With the program’s support, Project Onward artists develop a professional body of work that reflects not only a devotion to their personal vision, but also a desire for artistic growth.

Project Onward collaborates with local and national partner agencies to organize exhibitions and advocacy efforts for artists with disabilities.

Project Onward artists are included in numerous private and corporate art collections, and their works are exhibited widely.

Established in 2000, the Arts of Life is an artistic community in Chicago that provides adults with developmental disabilities an environment to experience personal growth.

The Arts of Life, Inc. is committed to providing high quality, innovative services for developmentally disabled adults. The studio focuses on its artists’ needs and strives to exceed expectations. The Arts of Life will continue to be characterized by both dedication to its artists and excellence in the field of developmental disabilities.

Winter Wine Jubilee to benefit The Arts of Life!

Join The Arts of Life at the Loop’s WineStyles for a lovely night of tasting holiday wines. Our arts studio for adults with and without developmental disabilities will be displaying winter themed art that will also be on sale – a perfect gift for the fast approaching holiday season! We will also be providing hors devours at this event with the $20 ticket price, as well as a live performance of Christmas songs by one of our talented artists. So join us on December 15, 2009 at 6PM. This relaxing event is being held at the WineStyles South Loop location (1240 S Michigan Ave # D) and 10% of all purchases made that night will benefit our studio.

To purchase tickets please click here!

The Arts of Life has BIG news!

On January 4, 2010 the Arts of Life will officially open its North Shore studio at 1963 Johns Drive with the support of Progressive Services Network. This studio will be home to ten new artists and expand to serve up to 25 artists each day. Our North Shore studio will use the same model, incorporating our four guiding principles- Building Community, Inspiring Creativity through art, Promoting self respect and Developing independence- that has been the foundation of our work for ten years. That day is important for another reason. Nearly ten years ago, The Arts of Life opened its doors to give a comfortable and supportive environment for adults with developmental disabilities. Since 2000 we have been creating beautiful pieces of art and inspiring partnerships between people with and without disabilities. And now we WANT to invite you to help us celebrate ten years of The Arts of Life.

You Can Help RIGHT NOW! This is a call to action, asking you for a little bit of your time and energy to help us spread the word. On January 4, 2010 we will be unveiling our ten year anniversary year long celebration! We want as many people to help us spread the word as possible about our TWO great studios and all of our talented artists. So, how can you help?

1000 Fans for The Arts of Life – help us gain 1000 fans for our Facebook page, which is a great way to see the latest art, videos, pictures, and music from our studio. Tell your friends, suggest our page, and get us to 1000 by January 4. If we reach our goal then every fan will be entered into a special raffle that will have 10 winners – one for each year we’ve been open!

Refer a Friend – help us get as many people as possible to read our newsletter! The ten year campaign will have great stories about all the different types of people who support our studio. Refer people to our newsletter page here and have them respond to the first email they receive with the words “I was told about Arts of Life, Inc. by (your name).” The top referrer will get a special prize to celebrate our ten years!

Twitter Challenge – retweet our posts and get our followers to reach 1000 for The Arts of Lifesm! Meeting our goal will mean a special contest for Twitter followers that will span the entire year! So start telling your friends about Chicagoland’s most unique arts studio!

November 7 is the Chili Cook Off!

Join Half Acre Brewery, The Chicagoist, and Nice Cream for an evening of great homemade chili, local beer, and handpacked ice cream!

The first Half Acre Charitable Chili Cook Off will occur on November 7 at 5PM in the unique setting of The Arts of Life Studio (2010 W. Carroll)!

There’s more!  Team entries have two chances to win!  A team of judges that includes executive chefs from Rodan and Bite Cafe will award the winner a spotlighted feature of their chili in popular blog The Chicagoist!  There will also be People’s Choice awards to win pieces inspired by Southwestern themes made by Arts of Life artists!

Entries for the chili cook off should have at least a crock pot of chili.  We’ll provide the space and outlets to keep it warm, while you supply the chili in the ways you want to serve it.   Team entries are $20 while sponsorship opportunities for businesses and nonprofits are available too.  All donations are tax deductible.  Want more information?  Contact us here!

We are looking for vegetarian/vegan chili entries as well!  Have your recipes handy for folks!

This is the don’t miss event of the autumn season!  Enter your team below or get your $5 pre-sale tickets!  $10 at the door – all people who come can get as much chili, Half Acre beer, and Nice Cream Fall Flavors handpacked ice cream that they can handle (while supplies last, of course!)

Tickets will be $10 at the door!  The first 50 people through the door will get a cool door prize!  With nearly 20 chilis this is the best bet of the weekend!

Kinzie Corridor Art Walk 2009

When people hear about the Kinzie Corridor, they typically don’t associate unique and engaging art with the industrial area.  Yet the October 10, 2009 Kinzie Corridor Art Walk is looking to change that perception.

The family friendly event, starting at noon, will showcase works of art from artists throughout the Kinzie Corridor.  The event is being organized by The Arts of Life’s Art Director Ryan Shuquem, who feels that the Kinzie Corridor can equal the creativity and diversity of areas like Pilsen.  “What is so exciting about this event is that it will showcase any and all artists in the area,” said Shuquem.  “It’s an easy way for up and coming artists to demonstrate their vision alongside notables like Wesley Kimler and several members of the Fulton Street Collective.”

The Kinzie Corridor Art Walk will also start the process of forming a defined art community in the area, with all artists being listed in a Directory of Kinzie Corridor Arts.  There will also be workshops explaining differing aspects of running a studio, which will be held at The Arts of Life studio space.  Artists will also have the opportunity to showcase a piece at the Preview Exhibition (October 2 @ 5PM) at The Arts of Life studio.  The day of the Art Walk will also have a silent auction and entertainment from local bands and aerial performers.
The Art Walk takes place Saturday, October 10 from Noon to 5 with an after-party at Arts of Life art studio. There is a Preview Party on Friday, October 2nd.

Participating Studios:

Aloft | Aerial Circus, Acrobatics

Arts of Life Studio | Painting, Drawing

Riggs Barr | Steel

Mark Cwik | Wood Furniture

Dusty Folwarczny | Steel Sculpture, Painting

Victoria Fuller | Found Objects, Paint

John Henley | Painting

Dennis Johnson | Painting

Jeanne Medina | Fiber Installation, Sculptural Fashion

Patrick Morrisey | Painting, Drawing

Northlight Studio | Photography

Karen Parisian | Painting, Sculpture

Steve Reber | Sculpture

Louis Robinson | Woodwork

Solstice Art Source | Architectural Stained Glass

Jennifer Wolfe | Photography

EVENING PERFORMANCE – 6 PM at the Arts of Life Studio
Judson Claiborne
the Arts of Life band
aerial acrobatics from ALOFT

The Laughter of Life Benefit Event

Join host Jeb Cadwell for a night of laughs at a unique venue! The Comic Vault will be hosting a fun night of comedy and relaxation to benefit The Arts of Life!

Starting at 5PM Chicago’s best comic shop The Comic Vault will host a cocktail hour with drinks and snacks. Following that will be a rockin’ comedy show!

Stay tuned for performers list, but it’ll sure to be some of Chicago’s hottest up and coming comedians.  There will also be a 50/50 raffle following the show! BIG MONEY! Cap off your Labor Day weekend helping out a great organization – The Arts of Life!

Video Coming From Heartland Cafe Show!

Check out video from the Heartland Cafe show that The Arts of Life Band played recently!  Over the next few days we’ll be uploading old and new hits.  For now, watch below for David warming up the crowd.

Denise Fisher honored with Arlen Bozek Vision Award

The Arts of Life founder Denise Fisher was honored on July 19, 2009 with the Alren Bozek Vision Award from L’Arche Chicago.  The Arlene Bozek Vision Award is named after an older woman who was part of the group working to bring L’Arche to the Chicago area and who dreamed of being the founding assistant.  Unfortunately, she died before they opened their home.  Because she had committed much time, energy and prayer, the founding group created this award in her honor.

Denise Fisher made the following remarks at the ceremony:

“Thank you L’Arche Chicago for this Award, especially learning about the past recipients from Alex.  We feel honored to be in their company.

As someone who has spent my whole life trying to showcase the talents and brilliance of the amazing relationships I personally have and know many of you have with friends who have intellectual disabilities, L’Arche has been a tremendous support to me and to our studio community. When we opened the doors of our studio and gave our artists their power back, I didn’t realized that Illinois wasn’t ready yet.  Illinois is scared to raise their expectations for people, scared to listen to the right people and make the BIG decisions.  Scared to move forward and take risks.

And as you might expect trying to work through the system in Illinois becomes a lesson in patience to say the least.

What I’ve learned through my lessons in patience is that it is so important to have community partners who truly share your vision.  I thought we were doing what was natural and what was right 9 years ago when we began.  I didn’t realize we were entering a battle already in progress. And we feel safe in our philosophy and safe in our hopes for the state when we are aligned with communities like L’Arche.

The only way to help Illinois move forward is to lead by example.  Show them that the best decisions are made by the people, that we will RISE to meet and exceed their expectations if they give us a chance and most importantly, that we are worth the risk.

And if they are going to hear us, we have to grow.  As organizations changing to meet the expectations of our members, and in the number of people in our communities.  L’Arche Chicago and The Arts of Life are about the same age and we have been through the same types of growing pains over these nine years.  But, I am happy to see that we are both moving forward and leading by example.  I feel so blessed to be part of the growth of both communities and know that it is easier for each of us because we have the other.

Thank you.”

And the Pitchfork Free Raffle Winners are….