artist blog posts, new artist, studio artist news
As we approach the end of 2024, we pause briefly to reflect. Once again, there were so many achievements large and small for our collective. Our artists reached new career milestones. Our Partners joined us in dreaming big, making major investments in our artists’ careers. We continued to explore how we can best support our […]
It is with grave sadness that I share that a beloved member of our Chicago studio, Joey Center, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024, of complications from being hit by a car while riding his bike home from his job at Jewel-Osco. There’s never an easy way to share the loss of an Arts
Remembering Joey Center Read More »
So much comes to life when people are welcomed, artists are empowered, and community values are shared. When Caroline Chun joined Arts of Life in 2022, she was extremely shy. She initially only spoke to Curious George, the beloved stuffed monkey that provides comfort and accompanies her everywhere she goes. Sensitive to her social hesitance,
Bring More To Life Read More »
We are saddened by the news that a former North Shore Artist, Quinn Zenner, passed away on April 3, 2024. Having been in our community from 2011 – 2020, he was instrumental in developing the North Shore studio. Quinn was a lifelong artist and was constantly making work both at Arts of Life and at
Remembering Quinn Zenner Read More »
Before Kelly Stone came to Arts of Life, his home reported no artmaking, no verbal language other than “yes” and “no,” and certainly no rock songs written, performed, and recorded. All that changed when he joined the Chicago Studio in 2003. Twenty years later, his life, independence, and creative practice continue to grow. Kelly’s early
The Remarkable Story of Kelly Stone Read More »
With much sadness, I share that Debbie Vasquez passed away on Friday, March 1st. Although Debbie hasn’t been a member of the Arts of Life community for several years, for those of us who had the pleasure of her friendship, Deb left a special mark that won’t be forgotten. Debbie and her family took a
Remembering Debbie Vasquez Read More »
There’s never an easy way to communicate when we lose a community member. I share with a very heavy heart that Russell Copenharve passed away on July 12th from a brief but difficult battle with pancreatic cancer. You may remember Russell as the first person you met at Art of Life’s North Shore studio. He
Remembering Russell Read More »
Congratulations to Carol Pyes, who has been selected by her peers as our July Artist of the Month! In honor of the occasion she was interviewed by Aaron Kleeblatt. Read on to learn more about her art practice, motivation and love of cats! A: This is the interview for the artist of the month: Carol
Carol Pyes: July Artist of the Month Read More »
Join us in congratulating Christina Zion, our agency Artist of the Month for May! Zion sat down with North Shore Studio artist, Ted Gram Boarini, to discuss their common love of music, graphic novels and freestylin’! TGB: I heard that you are a graphic novelist. I’m just wondering what kind of graphic novel work you
Christina Zion: May Artist of the Month Read More »
This April we celebrate Chris Viau as our agency artist of the month! His peer on the curating committee, Ted Gram-Boarini, had this to say when asked why Viau was selected, “He’s not just a good candidate, he’s a great candidate because he does great art. I’ve seen his art and there’s no one that
Chris Viau: April Artist of the Month Read More »
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