We traveled to Glenview on September 28th to visit The Arts of Life, a community of people with and without disabilities striving to reach their full artistic potential.
The Arts of Life was founded in 2000 with a shared vision to create a working, person-centric, artistic community that provided a work environment of equality. The program model consists primarily of each member taking ownership of the studio space and having an equal voice in the decision-making process. The four core values that guide their work are: inspiring artistic expression, building community, promoting self-respect and developing independence.
With the one main criteria for participation being a sustained interest in art-making, the studio offers an alternative to a traditional day program with participants attending 2-5 days per week. Staff members all have an art background and most are working artists themselves. There are also volunteer artist mentors who provide both direct and indirect support.
Thank you to Executive Director Denise Fisher, Studio Manager Hilary Marshall and all the artists for allowing us to visit their amazing space. For more information about The Arts of Life, visit their website at http://www.artsoflife.org
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