Join us for Distillery Labs’ 1st ever ‘First Friday’ featuring Pretendly. Expect an energizing artistic experience. Pretendly’s takeover of Distillery Labs highlights the innovation hub’s dedication to even its smallest of small business owners!
Peoria, IL — 2025 is coming to an end, but it’s just the beginning for fun, new vibes at Distillery Labs! Kick-off the innovation hub’s first ever ‘First Friday’ featuring its first Artist-in-Residence…Pretendly!
Get ready for a night of playful original art by local kid artists Larkin and Willa. Their small business Pretendly has aimed to ‘Spread the Friendly with Pretendly’ since its creation in 2021 when the Sisters were just 5 and 7 years old.
Whether you’re a kiddo and grown-up, this will be an inspiring, uplifting gathering. Want to discover something with celebrating? This one’s for you!
Event Details:
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Distillery Labs (201 SW Adams St.; Peoria, IL 61602)
Cost: Free (Registration at DistilleryLabs.org recommended)
Who: Open to the Public. All ages and abilities encouraged to attend!
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Exciting Pop-Up: Pretendly products will be available for sale and in time for holiday gift-giving!
Community Connection: Connect with others passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity.
Vibe: Come as you are! Enjoy the upbeat playlist curated by our 9 and 11 year old artist hosts. Bring your littles to make free kid-led art projects perfect for themselves or to share as gifts for upcoming holidays!
Tours of Distillery Labs: Explore the impressive co-working space where this event will take place. Discover how Distillery Labs is supporting local businesses and creative ventures in Peoria.
Refreshments: Enjoy complimentary refreshments while you connect and engage.
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For more information, please visit DistilleryLabs.org. For media inquiries or more information about the event, please contact: Jennifer Rosa at jennifer@distillerylabs.org. Get involved. Get inspired. Get connected. Join us for an unforgettable evening of creativity, connection, and community!
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About Pretendly: Pretendly (www.Pretendly.fun) is a Family-Run Neurodiverse Kid Art Shop offering unique clothing, accessories, and gifts designed from their young daughters’ original artwork. Pretendly is the re-routing of their own life challenges through a fun and creative outlet where their kids can thrive. The oldest Pretendly Dayghters is neurodivergent (Autism) and youngest is neurotypically developing, and together they offer their uplifting integrated styles made to wear and share!
The family began the business in an effort to help their kiddos bounce back from a particularly painful exclusion they experienced. Despite the loss they felt, they chose to find the gains and insist on inclusivity head on. Pretendly believes a wondrously inclusive world of knowing and growing doesn’t have to be pretend…it’s just more fun when it’s Pretendly! Visit the website and socials, shop, share, connect today…and see how you can help “Spread the Friendly with Pretendly”!
• www.Pretendly.fun
• Facebook.com/hellopretendly
• Instagram.com/pretendly.fun
• TikTok.com/@pretendly
About Distillery Labs: Distillery Labs is a vibrant co-working space in Peoria, designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation. With a commitment to supporting local startups and entrepreneurs, Distillery Labs is an ideal setting for community-focused events like this one.
Host | Venue: Distillery Labs
Presenting: Pretendly Neurodiverse Art Shop
Artists: Pretendly Sisters - Larkin (Neurodivergent Artist, Age 11) and Willa (Neurotypical Artist, Age 9)
Producer: Jennifer Rosa
Sponsors: Distillery Labs | Pretendly | Flat World Productions |