There is a really rich presence in Chicago of groups who help marginalized groups produce art work.

Bobby Verran celebrates his birthday at Arts of Life. Photographs by Ya-Chi Hsu

Arts of Life is an exceptional group, in that they pay the artists who participate in their program a stipend to come in five days a week and produce visual art and music.

The group also helps the artists exhibit their work throughout the city.

Here’s an article we published on Arts of Life a year ago.

On February 17th, they will host their annual awards show to honor their artists.

The event will take place at the Irish American Heritage Center, located at 4626 North Knox Avenue / Chicago, IL 60630.

Click here to purchase tickets to the event.

— Brandon Kosters, Editor-in-Chief