A mash-up of creativity, a collective art jam, a rust belt power pop vibe with the kick of Sriracha.
That’s the only way to describe the region’s hippest T-shirt shop that’s so much more. R.A.D. is a smorgasbord of creative flavors, featuring a stage for live performances, a backroom filled with classic arcade games, and a storefront lounge that invites families to mingle with the signature artists of “Pirate Ninja Printing” as they create T-shirt art.
Founded by Jarrod Hennis, a member of the printing posse "Fatherless," and fellow art exhibitionist, Britney Lindgren, this crowd-inspiring entrepreneurial couple has created a delicatessen of services shared among like-minded artists. In doing so, they’ve put a cultural stamp on the scene that’s uniquely Rockford.
What began as a visual rebellion remains loyal to this aesthetic, with artists sharing their talent and pulling everyone together into a cooperative art awakening. You won’t find five dollar footlongs. But you might become a follower of the “Visual Mixtape of Creative Shenagination”—the self-coined print style popularized in galleries around the world by the band of artisans who call Rockford Art Deli home. As Jarrod and Britney will tell you, it’s all about keeping an open mind and making people happy, one T-shirt at a time.
Discover more Illinois artisans at Illinois Made.
Related Reads
Charles Lotton's Glass Art Studio & Gallery
Explore Charles Lotton incredible collection of blown glass artwork in his nearly 50-year career.
John Boos & Co.
The world’s most celebrated chefs do their best carving and chopping on hardwood boards handcrafted in Effingham, IL.
David Stine's Handcrafted Wood Furniture
Handcrafted designs and techniques stand the test of time as they remind us of the way things used to be will always be.
Mississippi Mud Pottery
It might be a treat to put your feet in the Mississippi Mud - but at Mississippi Mud Pottery, this mud works best when it's used to create functional stoneware that's as utilitarian and durable as it is highly original.
Steve Meadows
A trip to Palestine reveals the colorful folk art of Steve Meadows.
Share your Moments
#EnjoyIllinois