Reflecting on 2021. Looking Ahead to 2022.

We are beyond grateful for the amazing, resilient community at Arts of Life. Quite simply, we would not be here without our artists, staff, volunteers, and supporters. Together we have built an organization that has not only withstood but been strengthened by the countless challenges of the past two years. As we embark on an ambitious 2022, we first wanted to take a moment to celebrate the many accomplishments of the past year. 

EMBRACING THE VIRTUAL

In 2021, we embraced the opportunities presented through virtual programs, continuing to connect our artists with each other and with the broader art community. Professional development opportunities included touring museums; participating in studio visits, curator talks, and art demonstrations; and presenting in conferences across the country. The impact of these activities has made it clear that virtual programming is here to stay and will permanently be integrated into our general programming going forward.

At the same time, our free virtual exhibitions doubled our reach, attracting over 200 viewers to each exhibition;our new virtual masterclass series introduced Arts of Life to hundreds of new art enthusiasts nationwide; and our virtual Art of the Heist Benefit Auction in May 2021 attracted 300 guests from 29 states and 144 zipcodes. As a result of these exhibitions and events, our artists celebrated selling pieces to collectors in Illinois, Wisconsin, Delaware, California, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Washington, and Quebec. .

REOPENING THE STUDIOS

In July 2021, in accordance with State guidelines, the Arts of Life studios reopened to full capacity. Dozens of returning and new artists have breathed new life into both spaces. We were also thrilled to begin welcoming back visitors with our first in-person exhibition in over 20 months and our studio sale this fall.

RECOGNITION 

In April 2021, The Arc of Illinois lauded the work of our community with two remarkable awards. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes Arts of Life as an organization that offers an exemplary, unique, and innovative program resulting in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) achieving full participation in the life of the community. The Mabley Volunteer of the Year Award honors longtime volunteer Cindy Shanker as an exceptional individual who actively devotes time and energy to enhance life experiences for people with ID/DD. Cindy has been a tireless advocate for and an essential champion of Arts of Life’s artists for over 10 years and she isn’t resting on her laurels. Stay tuned for the poetry group’s latest poetry book launch in February 2022. 

LOOKING AHEAD

We are hitting the ground running in 2022. Thanks to a remarkable multi-year grant, we will be launching community-based programs that will expand our reach to artists in satellite locations and at home. 

We will also be marking two major milestones – our inaugural booths at both The Outsider Art Fair in New York City and EXPO Chicago. These major international art fairs will make our artists’ work visible to collectors from across the country. 

Thank you for being a member of our community and championing our artists. We look forward to seeing you this year.