Little City Artists Featured in First Annual 'Art and Fashion Trunk Show' at Workroom Inc. Tomorrow in Chicago

Artists with disabilities showcase their work to greater Chicago area

CHICAGO, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Creating the ultimate couture home interior for Chicagoans, Workroom Inc. will host an exclusive "Art and Fashion Trunk Show" tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring a variety of unique artwork created by the artists of Little City Foundation.  The full service showroom and design studio, located at 1906 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, will showcase Little City paintings, handbags and jewelry until Dec. 18.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100308/LITTLECITYLOGO)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100308/LITTLECITYLOGO)

"Our relationship with the Workroom Inc. was re-established last year when founders, John Diekmann and Joel Klaff, donated their exquisite fabrics to be reused into our woven handbags and other accessories created at our Design Studio," commented Little City Executive Director Shawn E. Jeffers.

"We were inspired by Little City's belief that 'creativity has no disability,'" said Joel Klaff.  "We're always looking for new ways to help build the community through the arts."

Serving hundreds of children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, Little City encourages its artists to explore and expand their individual creative talents in an innovative and supportive atmosphere. 

Thus, the first "Art and Fashion Trunk Show" came to life celebrating and promoting the work of two lead artists with the support of other artists at Little City.  

Joel added, "It gives the artists exposure and opportunities they otherwise may not have while introducing art collectors to different concepts that they otherwise wouldn't have discovered."  

The co-founder also suggested that the trunk show will offer a chance for young collectors to purchase art, to start or continue their collections.    

Workroom Inc. will also host a raffle for a beautiful silkscreen patchwork tapestry hand-crafted by the artists at Little City and put together by the Workroom. 

Raffle tickets are $10 each or 6 for $50; all proceeds benefit Little City's 'Center for the Arts'.   

The following will be made available for purchase at the show:

• Paintings (framed and unframed) between $50-300
• Handbags between $75-100
• Jewelry ranging from $10-20

The raffle, the tapestry and other artwork will be displayed in the showroom through Dec. 18.

Laura Piazza, manager of the Design Studio, commented on the event at this fashion-forward store: "It is an opportunity for my artists to showcase their work to a group of people who appreciate this sort of intuitive art and I appreciate John and Joel's support.  If this is the first 'annual,' I am looking forward to the second and third…"

To support individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit www.littlecity.org/support.

For complete information, visit www.littlecity.org or www.littlecityarts.org  or contact Lisa Hoffmann at [email protected] or 847-221-7825 or Annabel Worrall at [email protected].

Media Alert

Little City Triumphs the Multi-Media Arts Scene and Hosts 'Pushing up Pixels,' at Mayslake Tonight

Artists with disabilities showcase their work to greater Chicago area

WHAT:  

Little City Foundation's Center for the Arts facilitators will present an evening of art and performance entitled: 'Pushing up Pixels,' a supporting event for an on-going art show, 'Critical Mass,' at Mayslake Peabody Estate.  The night will consist of short animations, videos, and graphic artwork presented by the facilitators recently created in the Center's Digital Media Lab.   Followed will be a presentation and panel discussion by Little City Managers of the 'Center for Arts', Frank Tumino and John Grod, who will throw some light on the ideas behind the work and how in which they were created.

WHO:  

Little City Center for the Art's Managers, John Grod and Frank Tumino, will be on hand to answer questions on the work  as well as several featured artists, facilitators, and staff from the program.  

WHEN:

7:30-9pm., Oct. 26,

Admission: $3 for adults

WHERE:

Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523

PURCHASES:

To purchase artwork created in Little City's Center for the Arts Media Studio, contact John Grod at [email protected] or 847-221-7764.

http://www.littlecityarts.blogspot.com/

ADDITIONAL IMAGES:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GHIzFeVvVJg/TMBtfdE1YWI/AAAAAAAAAck/jwVCrTlw63g/s1600/summer_sunset_blog.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GHIzFeVvVJg/TK32AsD8XWI/AAAAAAAAAcc/OcQLq2rXXkE/s1600/Luke_spring_blog.jpg

PHOTO CAPTION:

Recent digital pieces created by Little City Artist Luke Tabuer.

MORE INFO.:

www.littlecity.org

www.littlecityarts.org

www.littlecityarts.blogspot.com/

About Little City Foundation

For more than 50 years, Little City Foundation has developed innovative and personalized programs to fully assist and empower children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.  With a commitment to attaining a greater quality of life for Illinois' most vulnerable citizens, Little City actively promotes choice, person-centered planning and a holistic approach to health and wellness.  Little City's ChildBridge services include in-home personal and family supports, clinical and behavior intervention, 24/7 residential services and special needs foster care and adoption.  Little City's LifePath Adult Services offers a variety of residential options, employment opportunities, home-based services, case management, day supports, Special Olympics, an award-winning Center for the Arts and more. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Palatine and offices in Chicago.  Visit www.littlecity.org. 

About the Center for the Arts (CFA)

The programs offered at Little City's Center for the Arts are innovative and groundbreaking, driven by the creativity, ingenuity and talent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Little City's Center for the Arts showcases how "creativity has no disability" and includes award-winning programming in studio arts, media arts, the design center and children's art.  Widely recognized among the elite in the Outsider Art genre, artwork created in the Little City Center for the Arts, is funded in part by The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, Schneider Electric/Square D Foundation, the Gerber Endowment Fund and United Parcel Service.  Check out the CFA blog at http://littlecityarts.blogspot.com/.  For complete information please call (847) 221-7761 or visit www.littlecityarts.org.

SOURCE Little City Foundation