The Chicagoland non-profit Arts of Life is pleased to announce the date of its annual fundraiser, the Arts of Life Benefit Auction. With locations in Chicago and Glenview, Arts of Life advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership. Featuring a curated auction of contemporary artworks by both Arts of Life artists and other celebrated artists, a VIP cocktail reception, and immersive “enchanted garden” theme, the Arts of Life Benefit Auction takes places at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 Central park Ave, at 6:30 pm on Friday, May 3, 2024. Tickets and more information are available on artsoflife.org.
The Arts of Life Benefit Auction supports the organization’s mission to inspire artistic expression, build community, and develop independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Arts of Life serves 70 artists through two studio locations, community programs, and in-home supports.
Each studio (2010 W Carroll Ave, Chicago and 1963 Johns Drive, Glenview) boasts an exhibition space, Circle Contemporary, which offers year-round programming featuring guest curators and artists. Through thoughtful outreach and community partnerships, Arts of Life studio artists’ work has been featured in prestigious venues, including Art on the MART, EXPO Chicago, NADA Miami, The Outsider Art Fair NYC, Art Fair Tokyo, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, INTUIT Center for Outside Art, and Museum of Everything in London.
Arts of Life Co-Founder and Executive Director Denny Fisher says “Our annual benefit auction provides crucial year-round support for our organization’s singular mission that puts inclusivity and creativity first in support of adult artists with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Despite the State's abysmal track record in supporting disabled residents, we are committed to providing our 70 artists with access to meaningful community and professional development opportunities that challenge the status quo both in the art and disability sectors. With our exciting move to the Garfield Park Conservatory, this year’s event promises to be our most impactful event to date."
Auction Featured Artists: Marcelo Aguilar, Milena Arango, Chris Austin, Chase Barney, Ruby Bradford, Amiee Byrne, Raina Carter, Caroline Chun, Guy Conners, Maeve Coughlin, Rocco Dicaro, Liza Eilers, Madeleine Gallucci, Mike Gamboa, Amanda Gantner, Ted Gram-Boarini, Jamie Gray, Laura Greenberg, Noel Herrera, Em Holzinger, Cody Hudson, Leo Kaplan, Marcus Kennedy, Kg, Aaron Kleeblatt, Bill Lilly, Christianne Msall, Vontrell Nun, Sue Pasowicz, Sienna Peterson, Jason Pickleman, Pooja Pittie, Mike Rea, Nick Schutzenhofer, Alex Scott, CJ Shaw, Andrew Sloan, Tim Stone, Maria Vanik, Chris Viau, Payton Harris Woodard
HOST COMMITTEE: Julia Kriegel | Noel Mercado | Elizabeth O'Brien | Katy O'Malley | Cody Tumblin
Title: Arts of Life Benefit Auction: Enchanted Garden
Date: Friday, May 3, 7:30PM
Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago
Cost: VIP Ticket $175 (includes cocktail hour at 6:30-7:30PM); General Admission $75 (7:30PM entry)
On Sale: Tuesday, March 5th
Ticket Link: www.betterunite.com/AofL-enchantedgardenbenefitauction
Event Page: artsoflife.org/event/enchanted-garden-benefit-auction
About Arts of Life
Arts of Life advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.
Arts of Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in January 2000 with a shared vision: to create a working, person-centric, artistic community while providing a work environment of equality in Chicago. Motivated by founding artist Veronica Cuculich along with two co-directors, Arts of Life brought nine other individuals with developmental disabilities to create the organization we are today. Their shared vision grew from a passion for artistic expression and a need for an alternative system.
For artists at Arts of Life, a career in the visual arts is an opportunity for meaningful employment. Each artist has their own studio space and works independently from individualized project plans or receives one on one visual arts facilitation to increase their artistic skill set. Artists earn a monthly stipend for participation in the program with eligibility to receive bonuses based on personal annual art sales.
Today, Arts of Life has two professional art studios and represents over 70 artists with varying levels of physical and intellectual disabilities. Each studio is 6,000 square feet and includes a community gallery that is open to the public.
For more information on Arts of Life and its programs, visit artsoflife.org. Connect with Arts of Life on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.