The holidays have a way of stirring everything up—lights, noise, expectations, emotions, family dynamics, and nonstop schedules. For neurodivergent artists, this season hits differently. It can be inspiring, overwhelming, isolating, or beautifully connective…sometimes all at once. At The Maverick Gallery Foundation, we see how this time of year shapes the creative lives of the artists we support. Here’s what the holidays often look and feel like through a neurodivergent lens.

When you walk through a gallery and feel that sudden jolt of wow , you’re often encountering a mind that sees the world a little differently. That difference is neurodivergence—an energy that fuels fresh perspective, bold experimentation, and unfiltered emotion. At The Maverick Gallery Foundation in Chicago, we honor that spark. As a brand-new nonprofit, our work centers on giving neurodivergent creators not just a place to show their art, but a community that understands and

Based in the Windy City, The Maverick Gallery Foundation exists to make art as diverse and expansive as the minds behind it. We partner with local institutions, host inclusive exhibitions, and design workshops that honor sensory needs—all with one mission: turning the “invisible” into the celebrated. Think of us as the bridge connecting Chicago’s vibrant arts scene with the neurodivergent community that enriches it. Here’s how we’re building that bridge: What We Offer Inclusi