The nonprofit Arts of Life will project works of colorful and abstract images\u00a0on the facade of Merchandise Mart every evening from Sept. 11 through Oct. 5 as part of its 25th anniversary.<\/p>\n
The collaboration titled \u201cArt on the Mart: City Circle Life\u201d was originally scheduled for 2020, but was delayed by the pandemic. Projections of five artists\u2019 work intended for the 2020 event will be displayed from 7:30 to 8 p.m. daily on the Mart, situated along the Chicago River between Wells and Orleans streets.<\/p>\n
The artists are looking forward to having their projections shared with a broad audience, said Vincent Uribe, director of exhibitions and creative partnerships for Arts of Life, which gives artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to express themselves.<\/p>\n
But Arts of Life has been making moves all year.\u00a0As the group approached the quarter-century mark, Uribe said, members of the team considered how to celebrate in ways they weren\u2019t able to in 2020. Making a book and hosting a retrospective show led the conversation.<\/p>\n
In February, the group held a launch party for a book titled \u201c2wenty-5ive: Arts of Life 2000-2025,\u201d which showcases artwork from some of the organization\u2019s cohort of more than 80 artists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we realized these two things kind of go hand in hand, we started developing the book,\u201d Uribe said.<\/p>\n
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“City Circle Heart” is a project by the Chicago nonprofit Arts of Life that will be displayed on Art on the Mart over the Chicago Riverwalk from Sept. 11 to Oct. 5 and Dec. 4-28, featuring the work of artists Marcelo A\u00f1\u00f3n, Veronica Cuculich, Stefan Harhaj, Hector Jones and Maria Vanik. (Provided by Arts of Life)<\/p>\n
Approximately 25 artists were highlighted in the book that aims to encompass the nonprofit\u2019s core values: inspiring artistic expression, building community, promoting self-respect and developing independence.<\/p>\n
In April, Arts of Life participated in EXPO Chicago 2025, an art fair at Navy Pier\u2019s Festival Hall that showcases contemporary and modern art galleries.<\/p>\n
In August, the nonprofit collaborated with the Design Museum of Chicago to display artists\u2019 work at the museum.<\/p>\n
Arts of Life was founded in January 2000. Typically, Uribe said, artists hear about the group by word of mouth. When they inquire about the organization, they are then given a three-day trial to see if the program suits them. If it does, Arts of Life leaders begin the onboarding process to help the artist become a member, he said.<\/p>\n
Members are not required to have portfolios.\u00a0There is no limit to how long an artist can be a member, Uribe said, and some have been with the program for as long as 17 years.<\/p>\n
To cap off the 25-year celebration, Arts of Life will host its sixth annual benefit auction and dance party<\/a> Oct. 4 at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, where participants can purchase works that were at the Design Museum exhibition.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Unlike a typical formal gala, Uribe said, this event is more \u201cfun, festive and energetic.\u201d<\/p>\n