Overview
We all have the right to be treated equally, regardless of our race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. The La Grange Art League supports all those who stand up against injustice and demands fairness and equality for all. The Black Lives Matters protests have generated much-needed awareness, action and change. We as an organization are taking concrete action to increase diversity among our membership, accessibility of our classes, and outreach to underserved communities, to amplify black and brown voices, and to speak out against injustice everywhere. The La Grange Art League is developing an arts program in our lower income neighborhoods, places of greater diversity with economic disadvantage, and with limited ability to travel to our studio for classes. (click on Kathi Parisi Starts with Art Programs also found on the home page for more information). We have also created the LGAL inclusion, diversity and outreach task force in conjunction with joining the Community Diversity Group of La Grange to strengthen community relationships, broaden equal opportunities and fight prejudices against Black, Indigenous, People of Color. If you are interested in participating or have input contact margaretprescott@ameritech.net.
Inclusion Through Art, Guest Artists and Their Stories
The LaGrange Art League Inclusion, Diversity and Outreach Task Force created a program welcoming monthly guest artists to share their stories of diversity, challenge and inspiration. We offer developing artists an opportunity to display and sell their artwork for one month and express their unique viewpoints in a welcoming environment.
This Month’s Featured Guest Artists: Justin Cooper and Genevieve Nutley
Genevieve Nutley is one of two 2020-21 Junior Artists in Residence at the Disability Culture ActivismLab (DCAL) at Access Living Chicago. She is a Latinx painter and disability advocate.
At the age of 20, Genevieve survived a horrific car accident that left her with a spinal cord and brain injury. During her rehabilitation, she discovered her gift as a painter through art therapy. Genevieve is a self-taught painter and has participated in various shows and galleries.
Genevieve is inspired by the beauty of the world, including the positivity and love around her, which she holds dear to her heart. Her art incorporates her attraction to bright colors of acrylics along with the themes of femininity and empowerment. She paints many self-portraits with surreal and abstract themes. Every new self-portrait is a chance to recreate herself from the lessons she learns from life. She believes that personal is political and the very personal is art.
Genevieve feels it is her job in the world to share the beauty that she sees in others and the world through her art. She hopes to evoke beauty and emotion, where viewers can feel and appreciate her voice through her visual works on canvas. www.genevieverawart.com
We all have the right to be treated equally, regardless of our race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. The La Grange Art League supports all those who stand up against injustice and demands fairness and equality for all. The Black Lives Matters protests have generated much-needed awareness, action and change. We as an organization are taking concrete action to increase diversity among our membership, accessibility of our classes, and outreach to underserved communities, to amplify black and brown voices, and to speak out against injustice everywhere. The La Grange Art League is developing an arts program in our lower income neighborhoods, places of greater diversity with economic disadvantage, and with limited ability to travel to our studio for classes. (click on Kathi Parisi Starts with Art Programs also found on the home page for more information). We have also created the LGAL inclusion, diversity and outreach task force in conjunction with joining the Community Diversity Group of La Grange to strengthen community relationships, broaden equal opportunities and fight prejudices against Black, Indigenous, People of Color. If you are interested in participating or have input contact margaretprescott@ameritech.net.
Inclusion Through Art, Guest Artists and Their Stories
The LaGrange Art League Inclusion, Diversity and Outreach Task Force created a program welcoming monthly guest artists to share their stories of diversity, challenge and inspiration. We offer developing artists an opportunity to display and sell their artwork for one month and express their unique viewpoints in a welcoming environment.
This Month’s Featured Guest Artists: Justin Cooper and Genevieve Nutley
Genevieve Nutley is one of two 2020-21 Junior Artists in Residence at the Disability Culture ActivismLab (DCAL) at Access Living Chicago. She is a Latinx painter and disability advocate.
At the age of 20, Genevieve survived a horrific car accident that left her with a spinal cord and brain injury. During her rehabilitation, she discovered her gift as a painter through art therapy. Genevieve is a self-taught painter and has participated in various shows and galleries.
Genevieve is inspired by the beauty of the world, including the positivity and love around her, which she holds dear to her heart. Her art incorporates her attraction to bright colors of acrylics along with the themes of femininity and empowerment. She paints many self-portraits with surreal and abstract themes. Every new self-portrait is a chance to recreate herself from the lessons she learns from life. She believes that personal is political and the very personal is art.
Genevieve feels it is her job in the world to share the beauty that she sees in others and the world through her art. She hopes to evoke beauty and emotion, where viewers can feel and appreciate her voice through her visual works on canvas. www.genevieverawart.com
Justin Cooper is a black filmmaker, artist and disability advocate who has been working in art and film professionally since 2012. The lack of media representation amongst people with disabilities motivated him to work on his own documentary film called The Wheelchair Chronicles. Justin is currently the president of Access Living’s Young Professionals Council, the Head Marshal of the annual Chicago Disability Pride Parade and does advocacy work for Advance Your Leadership Power (racial/social justice advocacy group at Access Living), and the Chicago Disability Activism Collective (CDAC). In March of 2018, Justin founded his own media company called Cooper Industries. This company focuses on his filmmaking, film production, and photography work.