Remembering Joey Center

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 of Life community member and this loss is especially hard. Everyone feels individually impacted because Joey made time to share his abundant kindness with everyone, regardless of their interests, ability, or communication style. His outgoing energy felt like an unstoppable force in our studio, and to see that bright light go dark so quickly has left a hole that will not be easily filled.

Joey’s Arts of Life experience was unique in that his primary practice was at our Chicago Studio, but he was developing an emerging ceramics practice through our Art Center partnerships and our North Shore studio ceramics program. Joey was also a natural ambassador for Arts of Life, having such ease in meeting people and finding a connection. If you attended an exhibition opening, there’s a good chance you encountered his infectious energy and engaging smile. Joey took his ambassadorship seriously serving on both Arts of Life’s exhibition committee and supporting external events to introduce our work to the broader community.

“My Life is Perfect!” was one of the last things Joey said to me during what would become our final conversation. Expanding on this phrase, Joey shared how much he loved his art practice, his friends, his job at Jewel, and finally realizing his lifelong dream of starting a band. He asked me if I could believe how lucky he was. My answer at that moment rings in my ears each time I remember we’ve lost him. I said he deserved everything he had and that I looked forward to seeing him perform his original music. 

I was reminded of feeling the same way as Joey when I first started the studio – I was his age and the world was in front of me. I was excited about Joey’s life ahead and felt honored to play a small role in his success. I have seen firsthand how much love and care he put into his friendships. His curiosity and constant optimism were evident in his creative practice and were contagious around the studio. His unending positivity, love of 90’s Rock and Metal, and impassioned guitar playing (electric, acoustic, and air guitar) will be part of the strong legacy he leaves behind. We will feel the depth of his loss for a long time, and knowing he was living his best life, as seen in his Artist spotlight video, has brought some comfort as our community struggles to work through the tragedy.

 

Joey’s family and Arts of Life will be hosting celebrations of Joey’s life. Both events will be open to the public. We will share details as they become available.

– Denise Fisher, Executive Director