On view February 24- March 24, 2024
Closing Reception Sunday, March 17, 2024, 1-4 pm RSVP https://www.eventbrite.com/e/perceptions-of-flow-formation-closing-reception-tickets-836365821687

Perceptions of Flow: “Formation” is a component of a two-part exhibition that looks into the conceptualization process of a creative idea. In this exhibit, artists explore their individual expression through an interdisciplinary approach that blends various forms of visual arts, ceramics, and poetry. The exhibit visually and auditorily represents the tension a creative has internally with their flow of expression which is then shared with the audience.

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Arts of Life is a 501(c) 3 non-profit founded in January 2000 with a shared vision to create a working person-centered artistic community while providing a work environment of equality in Chicago. Motivated by founding artist Veronica Cuculich, Arts of Life 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 1:1 visual arts facilitation to increase their artistic skill set. Artists earn a monthly stipend for participation in the program with eligibility to receive bonuses based on personal annual art sales. Today, we have 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.

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.

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Crystal McDonald, Ph.D. (c ) (She/Her) is an Industrial Organizational Psychologist and mental health advocate who researches environments, personalities, and creative expression within space. She is a finalist for the 92nd National Art League international juried exhibit for her art piece “Undone” which was her 1st self-portrait. Her artwork has been exhibited by Omnibus Gallery in Germany, NAACP, and the Grand Marais Art Colony in Minnesota where she was their artist of 2023 resident. Ms. McDonald is a pro bono consultant for the past 6 years for the Arts & Business Council in Chicago, chair of the board of directors for Pagus: Africa in 2022, and a young professional board member for Inuit Art Museum for self-taught artists. Crystal McDonald, Ph.D. (c ) is the founder of HuesPalette which is an independent research consulting organization that provides grants for artists who experience disabilities, persons of color, and or from a rural location funding to help cover some of the costs associated with artist residencies for those who have successfully been granted one. Her mission as a curator is to challenge the viewer’s perspective on expression within space and to develop connection between the viewer and the artist by picking pieces that highlight our unique personalities.
Featured Artist:

Marcelo Añón (b.1993) is recognized for his graphic depictions of urban architecture that showcase worlds of steel, brick, and glass. Often, the graphic nature of his drawings are contrasted with statements of a hopeful future for humanity and earth. He continually pushes his practice forward through experimentation and personal expansion that has resulted in expressive works that are visually arresting. Añón’s use of perspective invites the viewer into his drawings, and then upon deeper inspection, explore the maze of repeating shapes, patterns and geometry. He often works with marker, laying down lines that are then enriched with layers of graphite and colored pencil. The contrast of black ink anchors his brightly hued color fields. When asked what he enjoys most about making art, Añón responded “Hope. The Future.”

Billy Borgerd’s (b.1986) artwork is inspired by his love of wrestling, movies and action heroes. His paintings express the depth and intensity of these themes through dark under-painting tempered by vibrantly hued details. “I like painting. I paint polar Express. I like the move. It’s a good movie for me to watch at night.” Borgerd’s artwork continually evolves while remaining indelibly linked to the early years of his practice. His works feature larger than life characters rendered in strong tones and bold lines. Elemental shapes are assembled to represent his characters. Environments are addressed with intentional vagueness, allowing the subjects to take center stage.

The energy of Cole Fox’s (b.1992) marks bursting across the canvas belie the intentionality and patience ingrained in his practice. He carefully plans the adaptive tools and color schemes that he will use to construct his bold, dynamic abstract paintings. “I realize my art is a vessel I can say anything with, and I am strong and raising my voice. That has let people see disability does not define me” Fox has a keen eye for composition and layout as well as creative writing acumen. These assets benefit him as an artist. Fox continuously challenges himself with his art making practice and transforms it into personal expression that transcends spoken word. “Escaping disability. People can see my art and I am an artist and they don’t assume that I am disabled.” Fox’s artwork has been exhibited nationally and locally at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art and is in multiple corporate collections.

Vontrell Nunn is one of Arts of Life newest studio members joining in 2022.

Phil Gazzolo’s (b.1961) creative practice ranges from flat canvas into three-dimensional art. Whether working on paper, wood or more unconventional surfaces, Gazzolo’s affinity for pattern and geometric design shines through. “I’ve got good skills. I study what I’m going to do and how I do it. I take my time and focus on the design. What materials I am going to use. I like to use different kinds of beads and bottle caps. I like to do canvases and different objects.” Gazzolo’s art can be identified by his thoughtful placement of lines and shapes. Primary colors and thick, even strokes are common throughout his portfolio. When it comes to creating these simple, impactful, pieces, Gazzolo recognizes the importance of patience and determination. “I just focus on how the shape looks and how it’s going to pop. Straight lines. Different patterns. Make it even and connect. Really focus on your work. That’s the most important thing. If you rush it won’t look that good. You learn a lot about art if you know what you’re doing.”

Nikki Huesman’s (b.1969) art practice is defined by her distinct artistic style and adeptness across mediums. Her portraiture is marked by subtle line work and shading on figures that are offset by backgrounds that pulsate with energetic color patterns. “I like doing people because I find them very interesting. I always wondered how they would look on canvas and how would they look in my eyes from a standpoint.” Heusman draws inspiration from a variety of sources: classic paintings, contemporary works of art and pop culture. Regardless of origin, the resulting works maintain subjects rendered with a whimsical hand. Each piece is crafted through a methodical process, involving careful composition, sketching and transferring. “I can come here and let my hair down and just go to town on art. I want to get my art out there into the world. I want people to see me as a person instead as a person with a disability. I want them to see a person who has vision problems can accomplish anything in the world. That’s how I look at it.”

Amanda Gantner (b.1983) possesses a tenacious dedication to expanding her art practice. Experimentation and risk taking in her artwork has paid off in dividends as witnessed by the broad level of success she has attained across mediums. “The Mind. It takes time. When I first came here my voice was down. Now it is better. A lot better because the voice is loud.” The subtle nuances of light and meticulous blending inhabit her impressionistic drawings, while her lively abstract paintings burst with energy through vibrantly contrasting hues. “Get messy. More splatter. I don’t care. I want to do that. It wakes you up.”

To view Ted Hamel’s (b.1990) artwork is to enter a strange and delightful world of fictional characters from the silver screen interacting with political figures, current events, train lines and locomotives. Ted finds meaning in his artwork by exploring his emotions through subject matter and color in his narrative based artwork. “It helps me feel my feelings. Red: that’s an angry color. Dark blue: sadness. Yellow for happiness. Pink is a love and happiness color.” Ted presents raw emotion in his artwork. The results are engaging and relatable as the viewer witnesses feelings of anger, sadness and rage in reaction to news media reporting. “I’d like to work harder. Get stuff out of my head. It’s when I sleep. Dreams and sometimes nightmares.”

Ariée Carter (b.1995) Ariée (also known as Aria Carter) has a singular vision for fashion and passion! Her artwork is rife with haute couture references interspersed with youthful, pop culture iconography. Her compositions construct narratives around this unexpected juxtaposition of high and low-brow cultural fixtures. “I want to be professional about fashion illustrator, fashion designer, and fashion model. Selling my artwork about this. I just draw all these Scarlet O’Hara dresses which I stole in my vision. I was going to draw Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate. I just want story about the middle school racism. All the grades.” Ariée works with complete focus and confidence. She skillfully balances compositions, exercising restraint to preserve and craft thoughtful negative space that accentuates her designs. An undeniable playfulness manifests in vivid colors and functionally counterbalances the seductiveness of her imagery.

Raina Carter (b.1995) Raina Carter develops narrative themes in her works that revolve around female-centric pop music and Japanese culture. The influence of anime is evidenced in the interplay of geometry, fantasy and character-driven artwork. “My dream is to go to Tokyo, Japan. I want to be a Tokyo artist someday. Like Final Fanstasy artists Yoshitaka Amano and Arina Tanemura. I’m in love with Japan. I have to draw pictures of Tokyo and Shibuya, and Sanrio Puroland. ” Carter invests a high degree of planning into her paintings as she explores concepts through sketching and research. She works with drive and focus, but this intensity is offset with vibrant colors bursting from the light-hearted paintings she zealously creates.

Daniel Frownfelter (b.1979) Danny Frownfelter continually maintains a zealous and independently driven art practice. Inspired by dramatic narratives, his subject matter often explores dichotomies of religion and the destructive forces of super villains. His flair for the theatrical is realized using high contrast, bold brushstrokes and subjects gazing directly at the viewer. “I am making art 6 years. My heart. It’s good and ticking.” Frownfelter’s sketching practice continues to thrive, and he consistently creates lush and detailed sketches prior to embarking on a final piece. His marks are frequently visible in the finished piece, offering clues about the enthusiasm of his making practice. “Lots of people love my art. People look at my paint. Make me happy. Your art [is] supposed to make you happy. My life.”

Laura Greenberg (b.1990) Laura Greenberg has created a colorful and enchanting body of work. With spirited brush strokes, Greenberg brings vigor and energy to the forefront of every piece. Greenberg draws inspiration from her outside world, nature and urban cityscapes. She enjoys creating with acrylics, watercolors and oil pastels. From her chosen mediums, to tools, to color palette, each piece of art is created through purposeful deliberation.

Renata Berdes (b.1994) The persistence and laser focus Renata Berdes possesses in pursuit of her artistic outcomes is indomitable. She continually pursues her themes, or “obsessions” as she calls them, with voracity and intention. “I really like the art because you can see everything through art.” Her sculptural works viewed collectively suggest the assemblage of a new space that plays with scale and permanence. Individually her sculptures are imbued with the magic of what is possible; first, there was nothing, and now by Berdes’ hands and imagination the object exists. Found objects are unified through an intimate connection with the sense of touch that manifests in rich textures.“I got plexiglass for the door because I can see through it. I can see stuff in there. I really like what I made. I was using some string for that water. I like that box that you gave me. It was a good idea, using that box.” Berdes delivers with confidence and honesty, engaging viewers through her own vulnerability. She invites us to see the world from her viewpoint and delights us with her reinterpretation of what is. “I want to do it because I am capable. I want to do art.”

Brian Reed (b.1972) Brian Reed’s art practice is guided by his inquisitive nature. The contemplative quality of his artwork extends a feeling of intimacy to the viewer, as we observe the result of his exploration of the people who inspire him and the animals that intrigue him. “It makes me happy because I like working with my hands. I like the way I use them. I like being with people while making art. I have so many friends from here.” Reed experiments fearlessly with materials and continually welcomes new challenges. This is most evident in his three-dimensional works constructed with a variety of mediums. The resulting forms are at once brutal and elegant. His affinity for acquiring new skills extends to teaching. Reed is a member of the agency’s educator track, and teaches art skills in a variety of settings. “I enjoy learning because I want to grow. I like being with the kids. They’re so cute! I like working with them and seeing them grow.”

GALLERY HOURS & VISITOR INFORMATION

This exhibition will be held in the First Floor Lobby Gallery of the Evanston Art Center (EAC). Masks are optional but strongly recommended for students, visitors and staff.

Gallery Hours

Monday–Thursday: 9am–6pm

Friday: 9am–5pm

Saturday–Sunday: 9am–4pm

Official Website

More events on this date

Tags: Amanda Gantner, Ariée Carter, Billy Borgerd, Brian Reed, Cole Fox, Crystal McDonald, Daniel Frownfelter, Evanston, Evanston Art Center, Laura Greenberg, Marcelo Anon, Nikki Huesman, Perceptions of Flow: "Formation", Phil Gazzolo, Raina Carter, Renata Berdes, Ted Hamel, Vontrell Nunn