After Supper Visions

After Supper Visions kicked off its Fall season this week, welcoming new artists and new volunteers, greeting returning artists and filling Catholic Charities headquarters with smiles, optimism and excitement for another productive nine months ahead.  The next ASV Photo Exhibition is scheduled for Friday-Sunday, June 7-9, 2019. Classes begin next week and all of the artists look forward to learning more about photography and challenging themselves to new heights of creativity and imagination, as they prepare to take new photos that they will proudly display at the exhibition.

After the sign-ups took place this week, a reception was help where Photo Team members, Catholic Charities executives and various department representatives, plus longtime friends and corporate benefactors all celebrated how far ASV has come, and renewed their commitment to supporting the artists who inspire everyone associated with this program. Included was an early birthday celebration for Co-Founder, Ellen Gorney, too. Happy Birthday Ellen!

Yesterday was a very joyful day for the After Supper Visions program. The artists who participated in this year’s photo exhibition came to pick up their checks, for their artwork that was sold at the photo show and online since the weekend of June 8-10. As in previous years, the artists were gracious, grateful and so appreciative of the encouragement they receive, from Catholic Charities and from all those who support their work as photographers. Here are some comments overheard as the checks were being distributed:

“Wow, I can’t believe I sold that MANY photos- people must really like my photos.”

“Thank you for this opportunity.”

“Thank you for helping me with my photos.”

“Loved participating in the photo group.”

“This was my first year and I had so much fun at the party Friday night.”

“Next year I will try and talk to more people at the show.”

“Who knew I was an artist?”

And the comment heard repeated the most…

“I’m very excited about starting our new classes in September…when does the program start back up again?”

If you have not had the chance yet, scroll through the beautiful 2018 photographs recently uploaded on our HOME page. You can order prints, cards and photo gifts online at any time. We can also frame prints of any size for your office or home. To learn more, contact Katie Tuten at ktuten@catholiccharities.net. The artists receive payments on an ongoing basis when their photos are purchased.

The totals from the 2018 ASV Photo Exhibition are impressive. The June 8th, Friday Gallery Opening reception welcomed 515 guests, and 51 of the 77 participating artists were there to greet the attendees. Half of the artists visited Mary’s Closet and found wonderful outfits to wear for the photo show, and almost half of the artists were on hand to greet Saturday afternoon attendees. The artists collectively earned approximately $12,000 in total.

After Supper Visions extends sincere thanks to Catholic Charities administrators and the many volunteers who helped to make the photo show possible. In addition, we are deeply grateful to WGN-TV for featuring ASV in the “Around The Town” live segment on the day the photo show opened. Many new guests came to this year’s photo show…and we hope they will stay on to support the artists as they continue to explore their talents in photography. Congratulations to all, on a job so well done!

Dear Friends, 

The beauty of art brightens a darkened world. In a time when the world seems sad and dark, this year’s “After Supper Visions” brought light and joy to our little corner of the world. We greatly appreciate your generous purchase at our photography exhibit and sale. This event continues to grow thanks to your enthusiasm and generosity. This year’s show exhibited a record number of artists. We thank you for honoring them with your presence.

Thank you for affirming the supper guests with questions, comments and compliments. Your presence at the event and your kindness to the exhibitors reminds our guests and us that they indeed are worthy of dignity and esteem. Pope Francis reminds us that these are the ones God calls is to honor.

Because of dedicated volunteers, the quality of their photographs gets better every year. Some of the artists have even used their proceeds to purchase their own cameras and computers. We are grateful to the committee members who have worked with the supper guests week after week to prepare for the event.

Your purchase gives each artist hope. The monetary reward is one thing, that fact that you believed in them is another! It is our desire through events such as the supper program and this to give our guests support and hope. The suppers, serving over 130 hungry and homeless persons, inspire gratitude and trust. If you would ever like to sponsor one of the suppers or to volunteer, please call Andrew McKernin at 312-655-7557. Please accept our sincere thanks on behalf of the guests that we serve. Indeed they are very appreciative of your good will. 

Fr. Wayne Watts, Associate Administrator,

Kathy Donahue, Sr. Vice-President, Program Development,

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago