Art earned a degree in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University.

He has been a licensed landscape architect for over twenty-five years. His home garden has been featured on tours and in gardening magazines.

Art is a past Chairman of the Board of the Bradley Bourbonnais Chamber of Commerce and past President of the Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School Foundation.

He has served as President of his local chapter of the Order of the Sons of Italy and recently received the Leonardo Di Vinci Award for Entrepreneurship. He has been named Volunteer of the Year by Hospice of Kankakee Valley.