Project Onward

Here are a few Obituary Portraits of famous acting legends we lost in 2025, as drawn by our very own studio legend David Holt.⁠
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You can find more at projectonward.org⁠
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"Pharoah Cat" by Ruby Bradford⁠
11X14 inches ⁠
Acrylic on Board⁠
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Available at projectonward.org⁠
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Project Onward artist Fernando Ramirez is one of the featured artists in Greektown Chicago's ( ) We the People: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Beauty public art project, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.⁠
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Fernando's torch sculpture, Liberation From Despotism, reflects on the ideals of freedom and self-governance. As Fernando explains, "The Declaration of Independence announces the end of being ruled by one. It is the people's duty to remove and protect against tyranny."⁠
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Be sure to visit Greektown and explore this citywide celebration of art and history. Congratulations, Fernando!⁠
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"My Love" by Michael Smith⁠
18X12 inches⁠
Colored pencil on paper⁠

Available at projectonward.org
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"Re-Homed" by John Benhke⁠
30x40 Inches⁠
Mixed Media on Board⁠
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Now available at projectonward.org⁠
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On Friday, June 19 from 6:30–9:30 PM, come to our gallery (1200 W. 35th St., 4th Floor) for a live conversation with ! The conversation at 8pm is in honor of the closing celebration of Between Us, an international exhibition connecting neurodiverse artists in Chicago and Osaka through the mail.⁠
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If you didn't hear about it last month, artists from each studio began artworks that were mailed overseas to be completed by a peer, resulting in shared pieces that merge cultures, perspectives, and lived experiences.⁠
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Hear directly from organizers and collaborators (via Zoom) in Osaka and Chicago as we reflect on creativity, connection, and building relationships through art across borders.⁠

RSVP here: https://www.projectonward.org/events-1/between-us-live
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Curated by T. Chang // Organized by Nayef Nebhan⁠
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What a night!

This past Saturday, hundreds of people joined us for our Backyard Benefit Fundraiser to celebrate art, community, and the incredible artists who make Project Onward what it is. Together, we shared music, conversations, portraits, artwork, food, and a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together around creativity and accessibility.

Because of your support, we raised $26,242 through ticket sales, art sales, raffle tickets, and donations. These funds directly support free studio space, materials, mentorship, and professional opportunities for more than 60 artists with mental and developmental disabilities.

We also welcomed so many new faces into our community, surpassed 10,000 Instagram followers, and gained a dozen Patreon supporters along the way.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, purchased artwork, and helped make this event possible.

Special thanks to:
The unbelievably delicious sandwiches were generously provided by the soon to open Logan Inn
⁠The beautiful space on the corner of Grand and Oakley, generously provided by Quality Knob⁠
⁠These fantastic photos courtesy of Matt Petres⁠
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The most grooviest of music generously provided by:⁠
ROWLAND HAZARD TRIO
DARK CANYON
LOUIS DEMARCO⁠
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And a growing list of hands-on dedicated staff and volunteers.
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Project Onward exists because of community. Thank you for helping keep our studio open, our artists creating, and our mission moving ONWARD.⁠
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Here's a little teaser from Stephon Doby for the second issue of Alter Gender, coming Winter 2026.⁠
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In this original series, Doby humorously probes the challenges of adolescence, following the students of Texas Valley (go Possums!) as they tackle the social minefield of high school. However, their world is turned upside down when their bodies are transformed after a chemical spill. Now, they must learn to adapt quickly or face disaster.⁠
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You can buy the first issue now at https://www.projectonward.org/product-page/altergender-issue-1-by-stephon-doby
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