The Artist in All: Everything You Wanted to Know 
by Barb Quaintance and Julie O'Sullivan
Most Misericordia families have a favorite Misericordia event: the MFA Benefit, Family Fest, Candy Days, and the Women’s Ball. My favorite is the Artist in All. It’s a spectacular event, and the residents are the stars of the show.
I wanted to learn more about the history of the Artist in All (AIA) and what it takes to pull off this memorable evening, so I talked to Julie O’Sullivan, Director of Events and Public Relations for the Misericordia Foundation. Julie is instrumental in making AIA the success it is, and she has a lot to share.
When did the Artist in All begin? How did it come about?
The Artist in All started in 1998 at a small gallery in the West Loop called the Vedanta Gallery with only 20 pieces of resident artwork, which were displayed and sold alongside professional artists. It then moved to the Chicago Cultural Center and, from there, to Northern Trust Bank. In 2011, Misericordia secured its current home, the Modern Wing of The Art Institute of Chicago. The event has grown from 20 pieces to more than 200 pieces and 200 artists. The Artist in All is our most resident-centered event.
Artist in All is a SIBS organization event. How are they involved?
The SIBS Leadership Committee, the AIA Event Committee, and SIBS volunteers are all very involved. Every year, there is a chair and a co-chair of the event, and committees such as sponsorship, volunteers, reservations, invitation stuffing, etc., are formed.
Can non-sibling family and/or community members get involved?
This is primarily a SIBS event, but there are siblings-in-law and cousins who have helped through the years to put on this major event. We also work directly with Paul Daley of Practical Angle, our framer, who has been framing the artwork for more than 25 years.
How long does it take to organize the Artist in All?
We start meeting and organizing in December for the following year’s event, so about 6 months.
How does the Misericordia Foundation support the work of the SIBS?
The Foundation is involved with SIBS and supports them as we do with other groups. We support both AIA and their Halloween Party. I am their primary contact, and I also continue to oversee the Art Department and how the artwork is selected in each of our events.
What are the big chunks of work needed to put on The Artist in All?
Obtaining sponsorships is a big priority: reaching out to previous sponsors and acquiring new ones. We must organize and catalog all the artwork. When the pieces are completed, they are sent to the framer, and then each piece is photographed for the event website.
Every residential area is represented in The Artist in All, and the event highlights residents of all abilities and talents. Each art instructor is given an auction number to help keep all the artwork organized. Each piece is labeled with the auction number, artist, and title. This allows us to organize the setup at Misericordia and then the setup at The Art Institute. We only have about 1.5-2 hours to set up all the artwork at The Art Institute. The artwork is labeled, packed per instructor, loaded on a truck, and taken straight to The Art Institute, where it is assembled for display. It takes many volunteers to pull off this special event!
Is it a given that AIA will be held at The Art Institute? Is there any flexibility about where in The Art Institute the event can be held?
This is a big year because the decision was made not to use the 2nd floor (Terzo Piano) and move to the Stock Exchange Room. This adds more space and keeps the displays all on one floor. And it also allows for more attendees! Of course, we always hope for good weather so we can use the outdoor Pritzker Garden.
How many people can attend AIA?
Typically, about 1000 people attend. With the addition of the Stock Exchange, we’ll have more room to move about and can add more attendees.
How much money is typically raised at The Artist in All?
We strive to increase our fundraising every year. We have been very fortunate that we have so many committed sponsors who come back year after year. We are always working to obtain new sponsors every year. Last year, we raised approximately $1.2 million!
What about the resident artists? How do they develop their artwork? Who selects the artwork?
There are 8 Art Rooms at Misericordia, as well as a Photography class through our Recreation and Leisure program. Residents decide if they want to be part of the AIA. It depends on how the resident works on their piece and how much assistance they need from our instructors, DSPs, and volunteers. Some pieces may take only a few weeks to create, while others are worked on all year long.
Tell us about the AIA Red Carpet.
The Red Carpet is held at Misericordia just before the downtown event. All residents who have a piece of artwork in The Artist and All are welcome to attend the Red Carpet with their art class throughout the day of the event. Residents and staff from other areas are also welcome to attend. We have chosen to keep it more of an Open House for the residents and staff, so it’s not too overwhelming for the artists and other residents. They enjoy walking through the Jean Marie Ryan Center and Benefactors Hall, finding their piece and seeing their friends’ pieces, as well.
Do the resident artists attend the Artist in All event?
Residents who have a piece in the event can attend if a parent or guardian can accompany them. Parents and guardians must purchase a ticket to attend. Parents and guardians will receive an email telling them that their resident has artwork in the show and can attend with their parent/guardian if they think it would be an appropriate environment for them.
Julie, thank you for this terrific information, and for all you and the SIBS do to make The Artist in All a reality. I can’t wait till May 20. See you at The Art Institute!
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