Shoppers Leave Walls of New Tinley Art Studio Bare

TINLEY PARK, IL — A recently opened art studio in downtown Tinley Park will now have to re-adorn its walls, after a smash-hit holiday shopping event.

The Dec. 20 event was put on by CTF Illinois and The Painted Turtle, an art studio for individuals with disabilities to learn various art techniques and present their artwork to the community. The studio, 17459 Oak Park Ave., is a place for individuals with disabilities to learn new, creative skills, participate in art therapy programs, and engage with the community around them. The space is fully equipped to allow individuals with disabilities to create their own art in the studio as well as sell their work to the public via the storefront.

The event brought out many members from the community, local business owners, chamber members, friends, and family. Guests sipped on hot chocolate and ate snacks while they shopped the latest artwork. The event turned out to be a huge success and left the studio walls bare. The total sales from the inaugural event were over $1,500.

CTF Illinois is a nonprofit organization grounded in their vision to create a culture where people are not defined by their differences but recognized for the value they bring to their communities. The Painted Turtle is a reflection of this thought process. The studio not only gives individuals with disabilities an outlet to express themselves through art, but connects them with members of the community, helping to shed light on their ample skills and abilities and fostering true community integration.

"It was the first of many shopping events The Painted Turtle will host," said Director of Development Robin Curtner. "I am excited to bring the community together for such an amazing cause."

Along with serving as a program option for individuals with disabilities, The Painted Turtle is also a community center, open to the public five days a week. All proceeds from the sales of artwork goes directly to the individual who created it. Members of the community are encouraged to browse and shop the storefront during business hours as well as attend special, after-hours and weekend events like Wine and Paint Nights and Open Mic Nights.

"So many residents are excited to have The Painted Turtle a part of the downtown Tinley Park area," Curtner said. "We hope to bring additional shopping with purpose, exciting community events and disability awareness to the Tinley Park community.”

If you are interested in hosting and event or renting out the space, please contact Robin Curtner, Director of Development, (708)429-1260, ext. 1263 or rcurtner@ctfillinois.org. CTF Illinois is looking forward to becoming more involved in the Tinley Park area and is excited to connect their artists with other community members. You can visit the CTF Illinois website at www.ctfillinois.org. All photos from the event can be found on The Painted Turtle’s Facebook page.