VFA Creative Events

​Art does not have to live inside one medium, one discipline, or one way of thinking.

Unleashed Art Group is an interdisciplinary creative community bringing together painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers, writers, poets, designers, performers, curators, and artists working across disciplines.

We come together to learn from one another, exchange ideas, challenge familiar boundaries, collaborate, and explore what becomes possible when different creative worlds meet.

Every member contributes. Every member learns. Every member teaches.

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WHY UNLEASHED?

Artists can spend years working within the same medium, the same studio, and the same creative circle.

We believe growth happens when we step outside that familiarity.

What happens when a painter learns from a filmmaker?

When a poet collaborates with a visual artist?

When a writer works with a photographer?

When a curator sits at the table with an artist?

Unleashed was created to encourage those intersections.

We believe creativity becomes stronger when disciplines meet, perspectives expand, and artists have the courage to explore beyond what they already know.

Free Yourself From the Familiar.

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THE CORE ARTISTS CIRCLE

At the heart of Unleashed is the Core Artists Circle, a developing group of artists and creative practitioners who are deeply committed to their creative practice and to learning from one another.

The Circle is interdisciplinary and may include:

• Visual Artists

• Painters

• Sculptors

• Photographers

• Filmmakers

• Writers

• Poets

• Designers

• Performance Artists

• Curators

• Art Educators

• Interdisciplinary Artists

We are not defined solely by how long we have been making art.

We are defined by the depth of our practice, the seriousness of our creative commitment, our willingness to keep learning, the breadth of our perspective, and our ability to contribute meaningfully to the creative community.

We are interested in artists who bring substance, curiosity, integrity, generosity of knowledge, and a desire to keep evolving.

Talent is important. Character is essential.

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FROM THE CORE TO THE COMMUNITY

Unleashed is designed to grow organically.

The Core Artists Circle provides a space for deeper creative exchange, collaboration, and development, while selected programs and experiences can open outward to the broader creative community.

As Unleashed grows, these may include:

• Artist Talks

• Creative Conversations

• Panels

• Workshops

• Open Studios

• Collaborative Projects

• Exhibitions

• Visiting Artists

• Professional Development

• Community Creative Projects

Our goal is to create opportunities for artists to meet, exchange knowledge, and discover new possibilities together.

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WHAT WE DO

Unleashed is not a traditional art class.

Our gatherings and programs may include:

CONNECT

Artist conversations, studio discussions, creative check-ins, peer exchange, and meaningful dialogue.

EXPLORE

Artist-led workshops, demonstrations, experimental techniques, interdisciplinary practices, and creative processes.

CREATE

Open studio sessions, collaborative projects, peer critiques, creative challenges, and works-in-progress.

INSPIRE

Artist talks, curator conversations, visiting creatives, panels, professional development, gallery and museum discussions, and conversations about the evolving role of artists.

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WHY VICTORIA ISIKMAN CREATED UNLEASHED

Artist | Curator | Arts Educator | Creative Leader

Unleashed Art Group was created by Victoria Isikman, a Chicago-based artist, curator, arts educator, entrepreneur, and creative leader with more than 20 years of professional experience in the visual arts and more than 15 years in arts education, exhibition development, gallery management, and creative programming.

Victoria founded and led the Chicago Art and Design Center for nearly a decade, developing a multidisciplinary art school and gallery in Chicago. Her work included exhibition planning, artist recruitment and mentorship, curriculum and program development, gallery management, marketing, public programming, community partnerships, and event production.

Her curatorial work has included exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists, international artists from more than ten countries, artist talks, panels, performances, workshops, demonstrations, art markets, and community programming.

But Victoria's creative practice has never been limited to one medium.

Her work has moved between visual art, writing, poetry, education, exhibition-making, storytelling, and creative programming.

That experience led to a simple belief:

Art does not have to speak in only one language.

A feeling can become a painting.

An idea can become a poem.

A story can become a film.

A question can become an exhibition.

A conversation can become a collaboration.

Sometimes the most powerful creative work happens when these forms meet.

That is the spirit behind Unleashed.

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OUR CREATIVE PHILOSOPHY

We believe creativity grows when we step outside our familiar territory.

We encourage artists to:

Push boundaries.

Question assumptions.

Explore unfamiliar disciplines.

Learn from people who think differently.

Experiment without fear of failure.

Connect art with ideas, culture, and human experience.

Free Yourself From the Familiar.

Because being an artist is not simply about what we make.

It is also about how we see, how we think, what we question, what we learn, and what we contribute.

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OUR INVITATION

If you are a painter, filmmaker, writer, poet, photographer, sculptor, designer, performer, curator, educator, or interdisciplinary artist...

If you believe that being an artist means more than producing artwork...

If you are curious about disciplines beyond your own...

If you want to exchange ideas with other creative people...

If you believe artists become stronger through meaningful conversation and collaboration...

If you are ready to step outside the familiar...

We invite you to join us.

Come meet other artists.

Come share your ideas.

Come learn something new.

Come bring what you know.

Come discover what you don't know yet.

FREE YOURSELF FROM THE FAMILIAR.

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE.

WHERE WE MEET

Chicago-Based | Location Varies

Unleashed Art Group hosts gatherings, creative experiences, conversations, and special programs at selected art spaces, studios, galleries, and cultural venues throughout Chicago.

Specific locations are announced with each program.

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JOIN US

Interested in Unleashed?

We are currently building our creative community and welcoming artists and creative practitioners who are interested in connecting, learning, sharing, and exploring across disciplines.

Whether you are an established artist or a creative practitioner with a developing but serious practice, we would love to hear from you.

Victoria D. Isikman

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