May 15, 2016
BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS
Knowing that Art Institute’s James Rondeau would award the most outstanding works by Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago patients and professional artists at the recent Art In Motion benefit, Event Chair Kipper Lance knew she would need to put her talents as art curator to use. For the event, supporting the RIC’s work in helping patients relearn motor skills and discover untapped talents through art therapy, Lance helped produce a gala gallery. She spent a week plotting out on graph paper exactly where each work, donated by artists, would go in the light-filled Ryan Family Atrium at Northwestern’s Lurie Center on benefit night.
“We had 76 works donated by 25 RIC patients, and 75 donated by professional artists, many of which expressed the artists’ physical challenges and triumphs. James Rondeau juried all of our artists as well, and I wanted to make sure everything looked just right. It took a week of plotting on graph paper – knowing dimensions – where everything would look best. I had my charts spread all throughout my kitchen.”
Among the artists participating in the 14th annual event were two renowned mouth painters, Antonio Davisand Mariam Pare, who created works of art for benefit guests. To Connie Coolidge, Co-chair of the RIC Foundation and a former Women’s Board President who never misses Art in Motion, the evening is at the heart of the Institute and its caring for all facets of their patients’ lives.
Money raised from art sales and the silent auction will fund over 700 hours of art therapy services at the RIC, including the work of a resident art therapist and a year of twice-weekly movement therapy classes.
Dr. Joel Press, Medical Director, RIC Spine & Sports Rehabilitation Center, and Brant Ahrens.
Ron Katz and Cheryl Coleman with Myra and John Reilly.
Connie Coolidge, Elizabeth Suffredin (Director of Major Gifts, RIC), and David Coolidge.
Dr. Joanne Smith (President and CEO of RIC), Dori Wilson, and Ron Katz.
Hazel Barr, Myra Reilly, Sherrill Bodine, and Dori Wilson.
