As the summer wraps up, and students return to school, we've been busy bringing the benefit of art to the community...

We've had volunteers from one of our strongest corporate supporters, Mowery & Schoenfeld, students from Rosalind Franklin University, and friends of AIP all join together to complete a favorite project, Concentric Circles.

Last week our founder, Vickie, got her hands dirty with the team when we hosted a concentric circle painting party in the courtyard at the Art Impact Project headquarters in Lake Bluff. Participants of all ages and artistic abilities were welcome, and we even had a few people in the neighborhood stop by and give art a try!

You'll be able to see the final project as each 6" x 6" canvas comes together into a beautiful, collaborative piece of community art during our annual fundraiser, The Benefit of Art - Tour D'Artistes on Sunday, September 14th.



See the Featured Programming segment for more about the Concentric Circles project.

K A R E N R O S S

C A R E N H E L E N E

R O S L Y N E S M I T H

CONCENTRIC CIRCLES

The volunteers weren't the only ones creating concentric circles this month. Both the All-Recovery Support Group at NIRCO and the residents of Nicasa Bridge House were inspired by artist Kandinsky. Using acrylic paint on canvas, with a touch of collage, we break down our complex layers of emotion and share what feelings we're made of. And this month, we welcomed a new partner, Lake Forest Place. We piloted this project with the memory care residents - a new population for Art Impact Project - and it was a great success, with each senior proudly displaying their artwork at the end. Painting with seniors experiencing memory loss can be a great help to subside feelings of anxiety, frustration, and sadness... we witnessed this first-hand!

One of our favorite things about this project is how it also works as a collaborative piece. Once each individual completes their canvas, we combine the paintings, demonstrating how we each have our own uniqueness, but when we come together as a community, our art becomes more powerful, both visually and in meaning.

Not only will you be able to see the amazing collaborative public art piece that guests will create during The Benefit of Art, but local artists have created additional panels that will be for sale during the event reception at Genesis of Highland Park. Come support Art Impact Project and participate in this fun activity with us on September 14th!

RAINBOW ROCKS

The Veterans' group from Brushwood Center's At Ease program, as well as the residents of Nicasa Bridge House created messages and images as reminders to feel and share positivity. At the same time, they enjoyed the connecting feeling holding rocks can have. Come express your good vibes and join us TONIGHT at our community-centric wellness art programming pARTner, The Art Center Highland Park.

Programming takes place on the last Tuesday of every month, 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Registration is free; all supplies are provided. No art experience is required! Link here to register: TAC

If you have been involved with Art Impact Project on any level, you've probably met Rose. Rose Kostan-Schwartz has been an Art Advocate since the start, and we have featured her multiple times in our Volunteer Spotlight segment of the newsletter. You will see Rose at just about any of our partner sites, sharing her love of art with students and adult participants wherever she can, always going the extra mile (literally), and sharing her experiences with other volunteers at every training. She is always the helping hand when we are in need. It's no wonder the students at North Chicago Community High School nicknamed her, "Queen Rose!"

But this month, we don't just want to spotlight Rose... we want you to join us in honoring her, as we award her the Vickie Marasco Impact Award at this year's fundraiser, The Benefit of Art - Tour D'Artistes. * Long live the Queen! *

We'd like to especially thank our Cassat Title Sponsor, Genesis of Highland Park!

From John Guastaferro, executive director of the foundation, "Genesis Inspiration Foundation is proud to Support Art Impact Project and their mission to enhance emotional wellness through creative expression. Thank you for amplifying our cause and connecting youth to the transformative power of the arts."

Art Impact Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Enhancing Emotional Wellness Through Creative Expression in Lake County since 2014.