Project Onward

Project Onward Bridgeport Art Center | 1200 W. 35th St., 4th Floor (enter from Racine Ave.) (773) 940-2992

Project Onward’s mission: CREATE | CONNECT | INSPIRE CHANGE

• To provide artists with disabilities the opportunity to create their work in a safe, supportive studio environment, with access to work space, materials, and professional guidance;
• To connect artists with disabilities with the arts community and the general public, through the professional exhibition and sale of their work, and thr

ough public programs designed to foster audience participation;
• To inspire change by using art to promote empathy and reduce the stigma of mental illness and developmental disabilities; to improve the self-image of artists through the social and economic value of their work; and to cultivate new audiences in the art market by increasing awareness of, and demand for, artwork created by people with disabilities.

“What goes on inside of me, I can pour onto a canvas.” ⁠⁠Since joining Project Onward in 2014, Sheila has continued to c...
05/28/2026

“What goes on inside of me, I can pour onto a canvas.” ⁠
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Since joining Project Onward in 2014, Sheila has continued to create vibrant abstract paintings filled with color, rhythm, and emotion. Her abstractions show us the power art has to uplift and inspire others.⁠
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All Sheila Smith works are 15% off this month at https://www.projectonward.org/shop-all?Artist+Name=Sheila%2520Smith

"Subliminal Circle" by Sheila Smith
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“I enjoy people experiencing my work. Anytime others see it and want to buy something, it motivates and inspires me to m...
05/27/2026

“I enjoy people experiencing my work. Anytime others see it and want to buy something, it motivates and inspires me to make more art.” - Sheila Smith⁠
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Sheila Smith works with her hands as a way to express emotion, process life experiences, and create moments of joy and calm. Inspired by color, Sheila also likes to incorporate new mediums into her work. This piece, entitled "Bouncy Ball", incorporates fabric into the same notions of color and abstraction.⁠

As our Artist of the Month, all of Sheila’s artwork is 15% off throughout the month at https://www.projectonward.org/shop-all?Artist+Name=Sheila%2520Smith⁠
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"Bouncy Ball" by Sheila Smith

“I like to do abstract paintings. I love color.” - Sheila Smith⁠⁠For Sheila, painting is a way to express emotion, find ...
05/26/2026

“I like to do abstract paintings. I love color.” - Sheila Smith⁠
⁠
For Sheila, painting is a way to express emotion, find peace, and share positivity with others. Her vibrant acrylic works are filled with movement, layered shapes, and rich blues that seem to glow across the canvas.⁠
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As our Artist of the Month, all of Sheila’s artwork is 15% off throughout the month at https://www.projectonward.org/shop-all?Artist+Name=Sheila%2520Smith⁠

"Twists and Rings" by Sheila Smith
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Meet May’s artist of the Month, Sheila Smith!⁠⁠Known for her vibrant abstract paintings filled with swirling circles, la...
05/25/2026

Meet May’s artist of the Month, Sheila Smith!⁠
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Known for her vibrant abstract paintings filled with swirling circles, layered patterns, and flowing color, Sheila creates work that radiates joy, comfort, and hope. “Color excites me so much,” she says. “I want my paintings to give the feeling of love, comfort, and happiness.”⁠
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All month long, enjoy 15% off Sheila’s artwork through our website ( https://www.projectonward.org/shop-all?Artist+Name=Sheila%2520Smith )⁠

"Cosmic Eyes" by Sheila Smith
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Some new and rare vertically arranged Adam Hines pieces now available online at projectonward.org/shop-all⁠"Colorful Cra...
05/20/2026

Some new and rare vertically arranged Adam Hines pieces now available online at projectonward.org/shop-all
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"Colorful Crayola" by Adam Hines⁠
"Brand of Shoe and Sneakers" by Adam Hines⁠
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"Untitled #5" by Frederick Nitsch⁠See more at projectonward.org⁠
05/14/2026

"Untitled #5" by Frederick Nitsch⁠

See more at projectonward.org
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"Ruminating Hills" by Kayla Jeane⁠See more at projectonward.org⁠
05/13/2026

"Ruminating Hills" by Kayla Jeane⁠

See more at projectonward.org
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"Lamassu Cat" by Ruby Bradford⁠See more at projectonward.org⁠
05/12/2026

"Lamassu Cat" by Ruby Bradford⁠

See more at projectonward.org
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"Bubbles" by Michael Smith⁠See more at projectonward.org⁠
05/11/2026

"Bubbles" by Michael Smith⁠

See more at projectonward.org
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NOW ON SALE! We are having a Backyard Benefit show on May 30th with a SECRET MUSICAL GUEST!⁠⁠Spend the evening with us e...
05/08/2026

NOW ON SALE! We are having a Backyard Benefit show on May 30th with a SECRET MUSICAL GUEST!⁠
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Spend the evening with us enjoying live music from four incredible musical guests, free food, original artwork for sale, live portraits by Project Onward artists, and exclusive free merch giveaways! This event is all about bringing people together to celebrate art and the artists who make Project Onward a vital, safe and creative space in Chicago.⁠
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CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO PURCHASE A TICKET!
https://www.projectonward.org/events-1/backyard-benefit-show
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Every ticket purchased helps provide free studio space, art materials, mentorship, and professional opportunities for more than 60 adult artists whose lives are impacted by mental illness and developmental disabilities.⁠
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Show opens at 4:00 PM⁠
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Location: Follow the signs at the corner of Oakley and Grand⁠
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For the last several months, we have been collaborating with our friends in our sister city in Osaka, Japan, exchanging...
05/01/2026

For the last several months, we have been collaborating with our friends in our sister city in Osaka, Japan, exchanging artistic talents through mail.⁠
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On Friday, May 15th at 6:30PM we are opening our latest show Between Us. The exhibition will include shared pieces that merge distinct visual languages, cultural perspectives, and lived experiences between neurodiverse artists overseas.⁠
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On the same day in Osaka, Atelier Corners will also be premiering the collaboration at Corners Gallery (1-chōme-6-13 Kyōritsudōri).⁠
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Come by, say hi, and if you're in Osaka say こんにちは!⁠
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RSVP here:
https://www.projectonward.org/events-1/between-us
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Address

1200 W 35th Street Fl 4
Chicago, IL
60609

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+17739402992

Website

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