News & Publications
Latest News
MARWEN ANNOUNCES ITS 17TH ANNUAL ART AUCTION
(Chicago, IL – September 12, 2023) Marwen is thrilled to host its 17th Annual Art Fair: an exhibition, art auction, and fundraiser, on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 6:30 - 9:30 pm at Marwen (833 N. Orleans Street). The fair features 400+ original artworks from 100+ Marwen students, alumni, teaching artists, and staff. Art Fair 2023 is co-chaired by Marwen trustees Mikaya Daniels (Cisco) and Julie Hokin Watts (Corporate Concepts).
Guests will enjoy three floors of art, hors d'oeuvres, and open bars while bidding on work via their phones. The auction will showcase original artwork, including photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, home decor, fashion, and more. All proceeds are split and support the artists (75%) as well as Marwen's no-cost arts programming for Chicago youth (25%). The event directly supports Marwen's mission to educate and inspire young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community.
“Engagement in Marwen’s programming helps young people grow as artists, creative thinkers, empathetic people, and young adults. Marwen’s Art Fair event has become an important platform for emerging artists, particularly those from the predominantly BIPOC and low-income communities in Chicago that Marwen serves,” said event co-chair Julie Hokin Watts. Co-chair Mikaya Daniels added that “through their participation in the Marwen community, young people are seen, heard, and valued both as individuals and as artists. Art Fair is often the first time they experience exhibiting and selling their work. By providing an avenue for exposure, Marwen’s Art Fair dismantles barriers and uplifts our mission to inspire and nurture the growth of young artists.”
TICKETS
Guests can purchase tickets to attend and bid on artwork at artfair.givesmart.com.
Early Bird tickets are $40 and are available until October 1 (limited supply), Individual tickets are $50; and tickets at the door will be $60. New this year are Community tickets for $50, which allow you to help cover the cost of a ticket for someone who otherwise cannot afford to attend.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $1,000 to $25,000. Contact Mindy Scott, Director of Development, at mscott@marwen.org with any questions.
ART FAIR 2023 SPONSORS
Steve & Karen Berkowitz
Amy & Adam Bluhm
Corporate Concepts
Mikaya Daniels
James and Mary Hill
Kirkland & Ellis
Bob Buchsbaum & Elyse Klein
Katherine Scott Jimenez & James Jimenez
Isa & Adam Pressman
Deborah and Stephen Quazzo
Julie Hokin Watts and Jason Watts
Chiara & Dan Wrocinski
In-Kind
Limelight
Mmmm…Enjoy. Wines
Revolution Brewing
ABOUT MARWEN
Marwen educates and inspires young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community. Founded in 1987, Marwen has supported more than 14,000 young people through our no-cost studio arts courses, academic counseling, and professional development programs. Our programs are especially crucial to Chicago's low-income communities of color, who face systemic barriers to accessing high-quality arts education and pathways to creative careers. Marwen's programming nurtures young people's creative expression, affirms their identities and choices, and builds their connections to peers and mentors. The skills, confidence, and relationships that begin at Marwen open doors to futures filled with possibilities. Marwen relies on support from generous donors to sustain our robust programming and to keep all our programs at no cost to young people and their families.
Follow Marwen on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
# # #
MARWEN ANNOUNCES ITS 17TH ANNUAL ART AUCTION
(Chicago, IL – September 12, 2023) Marwen is thrilled to host its 17th Annual Art Fair: an exhibition, art auction, and fundraiser, on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 6:30 - 9:30 pm at Marwen (833 N. Orleans Street). The fair features 400+ original artworks from 100+ Marwen students, alumni, teaching artists, and staff. Art Fair 2023 is co-chaired by Marwen trustees Mikaya Daniels (Cisco) and Julie Hokin Watts (Corporate Concepts).
Guests will enjoy three floors of art, hors d'oeuvres, and open bars while bidding on work via their phones. The auction will showcase original artwork, including photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, home decor, fashion, and more. All proceeds are split and support the artists (75%) as well as Marwen's no-cost arts programming for Chicago youth (25%). The event directly supports Marwen's mission to educate and inspire young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community.
“Engagement in Marwen’s programming helps young people grow as artists, creative thinkers, empathetic people, and young adults. Marwen’s Art Fair event has become an important platform for emerging artists, particularly those from the predominantly BIPOC and low-income communities in Chicago that Marwen serves,” said event co-chair Julie Hokin Watts. Co-chair Mikaya Daniels added that “through their participation in the Marwen community, young people are seen, heard, and valued both as individuals and as artists. Art Fair is often the first time they experience exhibiting and selling their work. By providing an avenue for exposure, Marwen’s Art Fair dismantles barriers and uplifts our mission to inspire and nurture the growth of young artists.”
TICKETS
Guests can purchase tickets to attend and bid on artwork at artfair.givesmart.com.
Early Bird tickets are $40 and are available until October 1 (limited supply), Individual tickets are $50; and tickets at the door will be $60. New this year are Community tickets for $50, which allow you to help cover the cost of a ticket for someone who otherwise cannot afford to attend.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $1,000 to $25,000. Contact Mindy Scott, Director of Development, at mscott@marwen.org with any questions.
ART FAIR 2023 SPONSORS
Steve & Karen Berkowitz
Amy & Adam Bluhm
Corporate Concepts
Mikaya Daniels
James and Mary Hill
Kirkland & Ellis
Bob Buchsbaum & Elyse Klein
Katherine Scott Jimenez & James Jimenez
Isa & Adam Pressman
Deborah and Stephen Quazzo
Julie Hokin Watts and Jason Watts
Chiara & Dan Wrocinski
In-Kind
Limelight
Mmmm…Enjoy. Wines
Revolution Brewing
ABOUT MARWEN
Marwen educates and inspires young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community. Founded in 1987, Marwen has supported more than 14,000 young people through our no-cost studio arts courses, academic counseling, and professional development programs. Our programs are especially crucial to Chicago's low-income communities of color, who face systemic barriers to accessing high-quality arts education and pathways to creative careers. Marwen's programming nurtures young people's creative expression, affirms their identities and choices, and builds their connections to peers and mentors. The skills, confidence, and relationships that begin at Marwen open doors to futures filled with possibilities. Marwen relies on support from generous donors to sustain our robust programming and to keep all our programs at no cost to young people and their families.
Follow Marwen on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
# # #
To our community,
We are disheartened by the Supreme Court ruling that race-based college admissions programs are unconstitutional. “At highly selective liberal arts colleges, officials expect that the number of Black students could return to levels not seen since the 1960s.” (The New York Times) And if you follow them into the workforce, for the subsequent 15-20 years, they will earn about 5% lower wages than they would have earned if they had access to more universities under affirmative action.” (NPR)
We recognize the harm that decisions like this cause for communities like ours here at Marwen. Many generations have been systematically deprived of educational and career opportunities. I often recall being advised as a young adult not to disclose my race or share my name on an application in order to be seen by my work and not my identity.
At the core of Marwen’s work is access. Approximately 80% of the young people we support identify as BIPOC and low-income, and many are first-generation. The world continues to erect barriers, but Marwen remains committed to the development of young people as they navigate pathways to a thriving adulthood.
While decisions like this make our days more challenging, our work does not stop. We are dedicated to providing more opportunities for young people through our courses, inclusive community, academic and career counseling, and youth employment opportunities.
Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting us as we continue this work.
Akilah S. Halley
Executive Director
If you would like to make a greater impact in this continued fight for equity, please consider making a donation at www.marwen.org/donate.
To our community,
We are disheartened by the Supreme Court ruling that race-based college admissions programs are unconstitutional. “At highly selective liberal arts colleges, officials expect that the number of Black students could return to levels not seen since the 1960s.” (The New York Times) And if you follow them into the workforce, for the subsequent 15-20 years, they will earn about 5% lower wages than they would have earned if they had access to more universities under affirmative action.” (NPR)
We recognize the harm that decisions like this cause for communities like ours here at Marwen. Many generations have been systematically deprived of educational and career opportunities. I often recall being advised as a young adult not to disclose my race or share my name on an application in order to be seen by my work and not my identity.
At the core of Marwen’s work is access. Approximately 80% of the young people we support identify as BIPOC and low-income, and many are first-generation. The world continues to erect barriers, but Marwen remains committed to the development of young people as they navigate pathways to a thriving adulthood.
While decisions like this make our days more challenging, our work does not stop. We are dedicated to providing more opportunities for young people through our courses, inclusive community, academic and career counseling, and youth employment opportunities.
Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting us as we continue this work.
Akilah S. Halley
Executive Director
If you would like to make a greater impact in this continued fight for equity, please consider making a donation at www.marwen.org/donate.
MARWEN CELEBRATES 36 YEARS IN CHICAGO AT PAINTBRUSH BALL 2023
Saturday, May 20, 2023, 6-11 PM
Morgan MFG, 401 N Morgan St
(Chicago, IL – May 2, 2023) Marwen announces its largest fundraising event, Paintbrush Ball, on Saturday, May 20, 6-11 pm at Morgan MFG in Chicago’s West Loop. Celebrating 36 years of FREE creative youth development programs in Chicago, the event welcomes 300+ philanthropists, cultural tastemakers and civic leaders and raises funds to keep all Marwen programs at no cost to families.
This year's event co-chairs are Marwen trustees Sarah Finlayson-Banasiak (The Revel Group) and Britt Nolan (Leo Burnett). We are thrilled for their leadership in planning this can’t-miss event. Paintbrush Ball 2023, which is held on Marwen’s birthday, includes a bustling cocktail hour with appetizers, open bar, silent auction, visual art displays, and a special program curated for the evening. Co-chair Sarah Finlayson-Banasiak and her team at Limelight Catering will also treat our guests to a decadent, three course meal.The celebration will continue until 11 pm with dancing and music by DJ Trak Qwn.
This year's event celebrates Art@Work, a summer internship program and cornerstone of our Pathways programs. Art@Work provides young people with immersive and paid professional development experiences in various creative career fields. The event’s theme is inspired by these internships, with designs conceived by co-chair Britt Nolan’s creative team at Leo Burnett that elevate everyday office supplies into works of art.
“Paintbrush Ball is a celebration of community, creativity, and connection,” said Akilah Halley, Marwen’s Executive Director and an alumna of the organization. “The generosity of our sponsors and attendees allows Marwen to expand programs and pathways for young people – to flourish as artists, creative thinkers, leaders, and thriving adults.”
TICKETS & PACKAGES
Individual tickets are on a sliding scale from $200 to $500. Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $2,500 to $25,000. Contact Mindy Scott, Director of Development, at mscott@marwen.org with any questions.
2023 PAINTBRUSH BALL SPONSORS
Aldi
Allstate
Amy and Andy Bluhm
Antonia Contro & George Marquisos
Blick Art Materials
Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation
Bob Buchsbaum and Elyse Klein
Britt and Catherine Nolan
Carol and Larry Levy
Chiara and Dan Wrocinski
Corporate Concepts
GCM Grosvenor
Gensler
Hindman
Isa and Adam Pressman
James and Mary Hill
Katherine Scott Jimenez and James Jimenez
Kirkland & Ellis
Lee and Sharon Oberlander
Leo Burnett
Limelight
Luxury Residence Group by Power Construction
Mark-It Express Logistics LLC
MillerKnoll
Molly Morse Limmer and Seth Limmer
Pritzker Traubert Foundation
Sally Pofcher
Steven P. and Karen Berkowitz
The Gallo Family
Wheeler Kearns Architects
ABOUT MARWEN
Marwen exists to inspire young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community. Founded in 1987, Marwen has supported over 14,000 young people in Chicago who lack access to arts programming. Through studio courses as well as academic and creative career pathway programs, Marwen's cost-free offerings nurture the development of young people, provide creative opportunities, and help build a future filled with possibility and success.
MEDIA CONTACT
Kennon Reinard, Director of Communications
Photography and video are welcome during the event.
MARWEN CELEBRATES 36 YEARS IN CHICAGO AT PAINTBRUSH BALL 2023