“Arts for Independence,” the popular spring artist market benefiting adults with disabilities, returns for its fifth year on Sunday, April 23, 2006.

The arts festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Marcus Institute, located at 1920 Briarcliff Road near Emory University. Tickets are $10 each, $18 for two and those 18 and under are admitted free. For more information, call 770-677-9303 or visit www.artsforindependence.org.

Ticket proceeds and a percentage of all sales go to the Zimmerman-Horowitz Independent Living Program, which helps adults with disabilities learn the skills they need to experience life to their fullest level of independence. Arts for Independence features the work of more than 70 artists of various disciplines, including painting, pottery, photography, textiles, jewelry, metal works and folk art.

The Independent Living Program is a non-sectarian program of Jewish Family & Career Services (www.jfcs-atlanta.org). Through the program, adults with developmental disabilities are taught the independent living skills they need to transition from living with family to living on their own. Participants gain real-life experience with such issues as safety, hygiene, cooking, housekeeping, shopping, banking, budgeting and socialization. The funding generated this year will go toward expanding the program. In the last two years, the program has doubled the number of case managers and expanded the overall staff to include about 35 consultants, direct care staff and house managers. There are now 12 Independent Living Program sites supervised by direct care workers 24 hours per day, seven days per week. To find out more, call Cara Pellino at 770-677-9459 or at cpellino@jfcs-atlanta.org.

“Arts for Independence has generated a tremendous amount of support for the Independent Living Program since it began five years ago,” said festival co-founder Susan Berger. “This event is so gratifying for both our artists and guests because it combines humanity with people’s passion for art.”

Berger noted the many community partners and sponsors that help make Arts for Independence a success. This year’s supporters include SunTrust at the Platinum level and A Plus Inc. at the Masters level. Community partners are The Marcus Institute, Very Special Arts of Georgia and Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities. Media sponsors include Atlanta INtown and The Piedmont Review.

Jewish Family & Career Services offers a variety of programs and services to people in metro Atlanta, providing tools for living to individuals and families of all ages and needs. Having provided social services to the greater Atlanta community for more than 115 years, JF&CS has grown to serve more than 30,000 individuals annually. The agency currently manages more than 40 programs without regard to age, race, religion, national origin or ability to pay. For more information, call 770-677-9300 or visit www.jfcs-atlanta.org. The main office is located at 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Atlanta.