CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Since launching the annual Vends + Vibes holiday arts marketplace in 2013, Arts + Public Life has cultivated and supported a growing community of creative entrepreneurs. Our commitment expanded in 2020 with the L1 Creative Business Accelerator program and gained a physical presence in 2021 through the renovation and operation of the L1 Retail Store located at 319 E Garfield Blvd.
In 2025, we’re deepening our commitment to creative entrepreneurship on the South Side. Join us for the return of the Vends + Vibes Arts Marketplace on the Arts Lawn, discover the beautiful curation of our first Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the L1 Retail Store, and connect through a year-long series of activations designed to make the store the go-to destination for creativity, collaboration, and community.
Vends + Vibes Arts Marketplace
Vends + Vibes is Arts + Public Life’s annual arts marketplace celebrating primarily South Side creative entrepreneurs. What started as a cozy winter arts market inside the Arts Incubator has grown into a vibrant summer tradition on the Arts Lawn—bringing artists, makers, and neighbors together to shop, connect, and vibe out [use different word] in the heart of Washington Park.
Discover unique treasures from around 25 hand-picked vendors (with priority given to South Side applicants!). Shop high-quality jewelry, apparel, home décor, apothecaries, beauty and self-care essentials, vintage finds, and delicious food. Best of all, vendors keep 100% of their sales – no participation fees!
Join us for Vends + Vibes on the Arts Lawn in Washington Park's premier arts + culture green space, Saturday, June 14, 2025. Enjoy vibrant vibes with DJs, bands, and live performances while supporting incredible South Side talent. Find the perfect gifts for yourself and your friends!
L1 Creative Business Accelerator
+ Retail Store
L1 is a hybrid business accelerator fellowship (2020) and retail storefront (2021) launched by Arts + Public Life to strengthen the capacity of the South Side’s cultural sector and remove barriers to entry.
The L1 retail store is located at 319 E Garfield Blvd inside the historic first “L” station, originally built in 1892 to transport visitors to the World's Fair. Since 2021, Arts + Public Life has renovated and operated the L1 Retail Store. All sales generated within the L1 Retail Store belong to the featured entrepreneurs and their brands.
In March 2025, APL celebrated the grand reopening of the L1 Retail Store with an evening of fashion, artistry, and community connection. Our Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Peter Gaona, along with his Reformed School, has landed at the L1 Retail Store. He will showcase his unique designs along with curated selections of South Side brands at the L1 Retail Store through June 2026.
Peter Gaona | Reformed School
Peter Gaona is a Chicago-based creative entrepreneur, arts administrator, and marketing strategist. He is the founder and creator of ReformedSchool, a brand specializing in handmade wearable art that blends fashion, education, and social awareness. Established in 2013, ReformedSchool creates unique accessories celebrating Black history and culture. In 2021, Peter expanded the brand by opening its first physical location as part of the L1 Creative Business Accelerator, an initiative by the University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life supporting local entrepreneurs. In addition to his work with ReformedSchool, Peter is the Creative Director of Marketing at Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, where he crafts compelling brand narratives that elevate the organization’s impact. His career also includes roles in arts administration at The Chicago High School for the Arts, Columbia College Center for Community Arts Partnerships, and AileyCamp Chicago. With a background in dance and a passion for storytelling, Peter continues to merge creativity, culture, and community-driven initiatives in all his work.
L1 Creative Business Accelerator Fellowship
From 2020 to 2024, the L1 Creative Business Accelerator Fellowship fostered the growth of three cohorts of South Side entrepreneurs, chosen through competitive open calls. This immersive 10-month program not only offered fellows rent-free presence at the L1 Retail Store, tailored mentorship for scaling their businesses, and in-depth professional training, but also deeply integrated them into the dynamic Arts Block community. Fellows actively participated in APL’s programming on the Arts Block, exploring the rich cultural legacy of the South Side and contributing to the ongoing dialogue between the South Side, civic partners, and the creative and intellectual work happening on campus. The L1 fellowship was presented in partnership with program partner Eric Williams’ Proximity, the philanthropic arm of The Silver Room.
Building on the foundation of the L1 Creative Business Accelerator Fellowship, Arts + Public Life will launch a year of activations in 2025 that highlight the L1 Retail Store as a vital hub for entrepreneurship and collaboration on the South Side.
