Hand Drawn Circle

Hand Drawn Circle: Arts of Life Studio Past and Present, an exhibition that brings together works by former and current Arts of Life artists, opens at Intuit with free admission and extended hours on Thursday, March 23.

The show's title is a nod to Arts of Life founding artist Veronica Cuculich's artistic practice, in which she would depict "babydolls" or figures with often-enlarged circular heads drawn with mandala-like linear elements and stripes of color, visually paralleling many types of religious iconography. In addition to Cuculich, Hand Drawn Circle features artists Chris Austin, Nikki Heusman, Marcus Kennedy, David Krueger, Michael Marino, Susan Pasowicz (with Allison Wade), Hubert Posey, Alex Scott and Jean Wilson. The works of art by these 10 artists comprise a range of approaches to representing thoughts in visual form.

"Working with a major institution like Intuit helps push our mission forward by getting the work of our artists seen and recognized by audiences outside of our studio," shared Vincent Uribe, director of exhibitions and external relations at Arts of Life. "We are thrilled to show work by Veronica Cuculich to honor her memory of what she helped start at Arts of Life, as well as current artists who are making work with us today."

A glimpse into the Arts of Life studio's history, Hand Drawn Circle is the third and final exhibition in a series presenting works of art from three art studios that support artists with disabilities. The previous two art studios were Creative Growth Art Center (Oakland, Calif.) and Project Onward (Chicago).

"Intuit is proud to partner with Arts of Life and to showcase the important work being made by emerging studio artists," said Debra Kerr, president and CEO at Intuit.

Arts of Life has been supporting artists with disabilities for more than 20 years, following its founding in 2000. Servings as a studio and gallery, the organization advances the creative arts community—in Chicago and beyond—by providing more than 60 artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.

Hand Drawn Circle opens to the public with free admission and extended hours (11 a.m.–8 p.m.) on Thursday, March 23. Together with Arts of Life, Intuit invites all to celebrate the show's opening at a reception that evening (5–8 p.m.) in the museum's performance space, where light refreshments will be available. Accompanying Hand Drawn Circle, Intuit will co-host Art After Work with Arts of Life on Thursday, April 20, 5–6:30 p.m., at the Arts of Life studio (2010 W. Carroll Avenue). The public program will be free, and registration will open in April.

ABOUT ARTS OF LIFE

Founded in 2000 by artist Veronica Cuculich, two co-directors and nine individuals with developmental disabilities, Arts of Life is a nonprofit studio and gallery with a vision to create a working, person-centric artistic community while providing a work environment of equality in Chicago. Its vision grew from a passion for artistic expression and a need for an alternative system.

For more information, please visit www.artsoflife.org/.

ABOUT INTUIT

Founded in 1991, Intuit is a premier museum of outsider and self-taught art, defined as work created by artists who faced marginalization, overcame personal odds to make their artwork, or who did not, or sometimes could not, follow a traditional path of art making, often using materials at hand to realize their artistic vision. By presenting a diversity of artistic voices, Intuit builds a bridge from art to audiences. The museum's mission—to celebrate the power of outsider art—is grounded in the ethos that powerful art can be found in unexpected places and made by unexpected creators.

Intuit is open 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and by appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information, please visit www.art.org/visit/.

Image: Veronica Cuculich (American, 1930–2010). Untitled (babydoll), n.d. Colored pencil on paper, 14 x 11 in. Image courtesy Arts of Life