Arts for the Soul x Marwen
In Fall 2025, young people (ages 16-18) were hired as artists to create one-of-a-kind images as part of The Arts for the Soul Commission course. These fresh designs were added to a variety of merchandise — totes, shirts, mugs, hats — and are available for sale for a limited run. Young artists worked alongside The Image Group and Marwen teaching artists to learn the ins and outs of being a commissioned artist. Young artists collaborated on the theme of mythology to create a series of unique gouache paintings. Scroll down to see what inspired each artist’s designs!
100% of the proceeds from this website go to Marwen to support free visual arts programming for Chicago young artists. Items are available for a limited run; shop closes May 30, 2026.
Made possible by Arts Are The Infrastructure For The Soul Foundation.
What inspired your design?
“I was inspired by the love in the world and wanted to represent that. I also wanted to keep Aphrodite faceless, because people experience love in different ways.” – Areli Marceleno (Designs: Aphrodite, Aphrodite with Bow)
“These pieces show my love for Mothman and all the funny and weird concepts that he can be shaped into. My art is a little peek into my different and whimsical brain.” – Basil Fitt (Designs: CAUTION: MOTHMAN, MOTH MONTHLY, Cow-Moth-Boy!)
“My design is inspired by urban legends about the Lochness monster and Bigfoot. I hope my designs inspire people and make them laugh.” – Brette Baker (Designs: Lochness, Bigfoot’s Manicure)
“My design is a goopy, flying Mothman made of gravy inspired by popular Thanksgiving cuisines, the popular West Virginian legend, and a tinge of Sesame Street.” – David J. Quiñones (Design: Gravy Moth)
“I chose to base my pieces on sea nymphs because they seemed less recognized than mermaids or sirens but just as magical and interesting.” – Indira Hammond (Designs: Out of the Water, Hear Me)
“My design is inspired by how much I like the change of seasons here in Chicago because in my country we aren’t able to see or feel autumn, winter, or any of the seasons besides summer as it is a tropical country. I wanted to depict this by drawing Persephone’s story, since thanks to her, we get to experience all the seasons every year.” – Marialbert Villalonga (Design: Return to the Underworld)
“My design focuses on Tomtar: gnome creatures from Swedish folklore. They are guardians of the house, and are known to be secretive and mischievous.” – Owen Esling (Design: Tomte With the Bugs)
“My designs were inspired by the myth of Cerberus, the three headed dog who protects the underworld. My other design was inspired by my cat Haru, who is a cute and crazy cat that enjoys music.” – Samara Molina (Designs: Cerberus, Blue and Red Kitty)
“My work is very saturated and colorful. I am inspired by my desire to keep work whimsical and youthful, reminiscent of my childhood.” – Scarlett Smith (Design: Siren)
“My design was inspired by The Adventures of Disney Fairies, as well as the fact that one of my favorite animals is ducks.” – Sofia Galindo (Designs: Fairy Sitting on Duck, Fairy Duck & Friends)
“I like depicting realistic and natural scenes in unnatural color palettes. My design is based off of the myth of Carmilla, a queer vampire novella, which came out before Dracula!” – Via McEwen (Designs: Carmilla 1, Carmilla 2)
“I was inspired by mythological creatures like fairies and pixies to create this piece of art.” – Yaray Planchardt (Design: Lady – Bug)
