Shine Bright in Life, LLC is a healing arts center that offers a variety of resources to help individuals find and develop their inner strengths and passions. We believe that as individuals find more peace and happiness in their own lives, they will radiate more positivity into the community. The ultimate goal of Shine Bright in Life, LLC  is to ensure that individuals have a safe space to learn and grow.  In turn, it is hoped that they will spread this love and joy to others and thus contribute to the general well being of our neighborhood, the city, and the world.

Shine Bright in Life offers individual sessions for people who want to work on themselves privately, and group sessions for those who would like to work within a supportive community setting.  Group sessions cover topics such as art for relaxation, art techniques, meditation, spiritual growth, manifesting positivity, communication, relationships, vision boards, etc. Any topic that falls under the category of helping individuals connect with their passions is a topic that fits within the mission of Shine Bright in Life.

Shine Bright in Life is also home to a small art gallery, intended to be used to showcase budding artists in our community.  Featured artists are given an opportunity to use a wall to exhibit and sell their work, and to invite community members to attend a reception.  Since it is often difficult for artists to find a place to show their work, it is hoped that this opportunity will boost the confidence and skill set of those who wish to share their creativity with the community.

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  • Jeanna Fearon

    SHE/HER

    MS, MS, ATR-BC, CHt.

    FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
    Jeanna Fearon, affectionately known as “Gigi,” holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology and another in Art Therapy from Illinois State University. She is a Registered and Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and a Nationally Certified Hypnotherapist (CHt.), having graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in Tarzana, California.

    Jeanna brings over 20 years of experience working with individuals, groups, and art students at a Montessori School. She draws, paints, and is currently working on some special projects about the lions at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.

  • Meriah Fearon

    SHE/HER

    GENERAL MANAGER

    Meriah is the youngest child of Jeanna Fearon, founder of Shine Bright. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Music Business in 2024. In her free time, she works with local musicians through her music discovery platform, Amplified Chicago.

  • BREA FEARON

    DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND RESIDENT LIBRARIAN

    Brea is the eldest child of Jeanna Fearon, founder of Shine Bright. They received a BA in English and Gender Studies from Kenyon College, and graduated with an MS in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They have too many personal and professional interests to list in a short bio, but their work at Shine Bright generally intersects with their interests in children’s literature, art journaling, moon work, and critical pedagogy. They live in Peoria, IL with their two cats and two snakes.

  • JJ Poody

    HE/HIM

    THERAPY CAT

    JJ Poody is Shine Bright’s therapy cat extraordinaire. You’ll find him at many one-on one-sessions with Jeanna wearing his signature bowtie.

“Shine Bright in Life changed my life. I visited the studio for the first time months ago. In taking an art class with Gigi, I was able to learn how to view my work with eyes of admiration, rather than eyes of criticism. Specifically, Gigi taught me how to overcome my toxic perfectionism and appreciate what I was making. In learning how to do that, I not only learned how to enjoy creating more, but I also learned how to enjoy my life even more. 

Another lesson I learned from Shine Bright in Life’s hypnosis class is how to set your intentions. In this class, we were instructed to make a dream jar. The dream jar required us to write an intention and put it in the jar nightly. This would lead us to consider our thoughts and dreams more seriously. In creating this jar and setting my intentions nightly, I finally went after my life long dream of flying a plane. I credit this accomplishment to Shine Bright in Life because I never would have seriously gone after my dreams if I hadn’t considered it nightly like Gigi had taught me. 

Overall, Shine Bright in Life is a phenomenon. I have been there twice and it is my favorite place in Chicago. You don’t only learn how to paint, you learn how to understand yourself and your motives better. More specifically, you gain a deeper understanding of why you do the things you do and why it’s important, which in turn, allows you to live your life more thoughtfully and transform your life into what you always hoped it would be.” - Malika

“Two years ago, a Facebook post about an art class at Shine Bright in Life caught my eye. Learning to paint had been a dream of mine. I was at a crossroads in my life, and it felt like fate nudging me to explore further. Stepping into Shine Bright wasn't just about fulfilling a dream; it was about embracing the journey of healing through art. I’m grateful every day for listening to that inner voice; my life would have taken a vastly different path had I not taken that leap of faith and stepped into Shine Bright.” - Gail