The Chicagoland non-profit Arts of Life celebrates its 25th Anniversary with the launch of the new artwork-filled hardcover book, 2wenty 5ive – Arts of Life 2000-2025, a retrospective highlighting the organization’s history of supporting artists with disabilities. With locations in Chicago, North Shore (Glenview), and South Side, 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 independence.
Throughout its 25th anniversary year, Arts of Life will look back at its history, celebrate its impact, and cast eyes toward its future. Kicking off an exciting year of programming, 2wenty 5ive: Arts of Life Birthday Party & Book Launch takes place at Seven Star Venue Space in Rogers Park (2017 West Howard Street) on February 22, 2025 at 1-4PM. Tickets and more information are available on artsoflife.org.
Featured artwork by Veronica Cuculich from the new book (left) and photo of David Krueger working at the Arts of Life Chicago studio (right)
“We are overjoyed to mark Arts of Life’s silver anniversary with a year of celebrating both the past quarter century and what is to come,” shares Arts of Life Co-Founder and Executive Director Denny Fisher. “This milestone is a testament to the creativity and resilience of our community. Our collective work is captured in our beautiful book, which highlights our role in the national progressive art studio movement in supporting artists with disabilities. We look forward to gathering with new and longtime friends as we continue to work towards a more equitable and accessible future.”
With planned distribution at Urban Outfitters stores across the US, 2wenty 5ive – Arts of Life 2000-2025 includes a foreword by Intuit Art Museum Executive Director Deb Kerr, in addition to impact stories from individual artists. The Birthday Party & Book Launch includes remarks by Arts of Life artists and leadership, as well as book designers and contributors. Festivities continue with a cutting of the birthday cake, dancing, a raffle with prizes, and a paddle raising. Copies of the book and select prints of the artwork will be available for purchase.
The event also honors Wilmette resident and arts supporter Cindy Shanker for her commitment to the Arts of Life community as a longtime, devoted volunteer as an arts facilitator. Throughout her time working with Arts of Life, Shanker has helped artists achieve their artistic goals and provided support within the studio. She has also led both the Art Talk and Poetry Group gatherings, which provides group work for art sharing, learning about art history, and writing poetry to accompany their visual art.
The 25th Anniversary year continues with a New York City Book Launch at Outsider Art Fair (February 27-March 2); a dedicated exhibition at the Design Museum of Chicago (August 11-September 30) and correlating Art on theMART feature projection (September 11-October 6); and the Arts of Life annual Benefit Art Auction (October 3, 2025). More information on Arts of Life and current and upcoming galleries and programming can be found at artsoflife.org
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-founders Arts of Life brought nine other individuals with developmental disabilities to create the organization. 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 also receive 60% of art sales.
Today, Arts of Life has two professional art studios and represent over 60 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 www.artsoflife.org. Connect with Arts of Life on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.