My Nonprofit Reviews

I have worked in the IDD field for the last 7 years and have been consistently impressed by the person-centered care at Arts of Life. The way they facilitate difficult conversations with artists -from having artists elect their preference between "artist with a disability" and "disabled artist", to thoughtful and even joyful conversation around how to navigate changing or gender-neutral pronouns- is consistently both honoring of the artists ability and background, as well as demonstrating a deep belief in their growth and care. The artists at Arts of Life consistently have practices based on their interest and art style- not therapy, but a true art practice- and their agency is supported at every level, again from how they are spoken about, but also where they want their practice to be in a few years, and even voting on who may join the studio.

As if this weren't itself a feat, the art produced at Arts of Life is really phenomenal. In not using a heavy hand or guiding artists to chase what is initially palatable or conventional, the studio consistently produces art with a clear voice and idiosyncratic style, still influenced both by contemporary and historic artists they learn about at Arts of Life, and other artists at the studio. I have many pieces from Arts of Life at my home, and while (like most art) not every artist will speak to every person, friends also pretty regularly find an artist's work here that sparks an interest and appreciation for "outsider art" as a field and the incredible work here.

I could not more highly recommend this studio both as a service provider, and as an art studio for those interested in collecting or showing art.