CHICAGO, IL \u2014 September 11, 2026 \u2014 (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) \u2014 Janie\u2019s Art Journals has been selected as one of the artists presenting work at the Salud Chicago Inaugural Gala<\/b>, an elegant evening supporting Salud Chicago\u2019s nonprofit community mental health work, on Wednesday, September 16, at Chicago\u2019s National Museum of Mexican Art.<\/p>\n
For the occasion, Chicago paper artist and Janie\u2019s Art Journals founder,\u00a0Janie Flores<\/b>,\u00a0created a special series of five handmade art journals titled\u00a0\u201cJoy In Resilience.\u201d <\/b>The series celebrates the resilience of Chicago\u2019s neighborhoods and communities as they navigate the daily challenges to their\u00a0life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
The \u00abJoy In Resilience\u00bb journals are stories made from the very materials and experiences of the communities they represent.\u00a0Each journal in the series incorporates reclaimed materials, including protest signs and materials gathered from local communities and businesses, along with discarded papers, vintage materials, repurposed fabrics, and special touches of handmade art sourced from Oaxacan artisans in the Mexico Cultura y Orgullo collective<\/i>. Together, these materials tell a story about the interconnectedness of immigrant life in Chicago and reflect lived realities shared by immigrant communities throughout the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis series celebrates the incredible resilience that exists within our communities,\u201d said Flores. \u201cOur communities continue to thrive amidst uncertainty, fear and struggle, because there is joy. There is family. There is culture. There is unity. There is hope.\u00a0That is the joy in resilience.<\/b>\u201d<\/p>\n
The concept is deeply aligned with the foundation of Janie\u2019s Art Journals, a sustainable art initiative that transforms materials that might otherwise be discarded, including old books, cardboard packaging, vintage papers, reclaimed fabrics and other found materials, into unique handmade works of art.<\/p>\n
Founded in 2023, Janie\u2019s Art Journals emerged from Flores\u2019 return to paper arts during a deeply personal period following the loss of her mother. What began as a creative outlet and a way to process grief has grown into an art initiative centered on\u00a0storytelling, sustainability, connection, curiosity and healing.<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cJoy In Resilience\u201d builds on that philosophy by looking beyond the individual journal and asking a bigger question:\u00a0What can discarded materials tell us about the people and communities that refuse to be discarded?<\/b><\/p>\n
From protest signs to packaging from neighborhood businesses, every element carries a piece of a larger story. The journals become both art and archive by preserving fragments of community life while reimagining them into something new.<\/p>\n
The opportunity to present \u201cJoy In Resilience\u201d at Salud Chicago\u2019s Inaugural Gala is especially meaningful because the event will benefit their ongoing community mental health work while bringing together art, community and a shared commitment to making mental health resources more accessible in ways that are affirming and rooted in community.<\/p>\n
JOIN US: https:\/\/saludchicago.com\/#events<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Salud Chicago Inaugural Gala<\/b> Janie\u2019s Art Journals is honored to be among the artists presenting work and looks forward to introducing\u00a0\u201cJoy In Resilience\u201d<\/b>\u00a0as part of an evening celebrating the power of community, culture, creativity and connection.<\/p>\n About Janie\u2019s Art Journals<\/b> Janie\u2019s Art Journals is a Chicago-based sustainable art initiative founded by paper artist Janie Flores in 2023. Each handmade journal is a unique work of art created by reimagining discarded book pages, cardboard packaging, vintage papers, reclaimed fabrics and other materials destined for the landfill.<\/p>\n A former award-winning publicist, radio host and conference speaker, Flores returned to paper arts as part of her own creative and healing journey. Today, Janie\u2019s Art Journals brings together her love of storytelling, sustainability, art and community\u2014one repurposed page at a time.<\/p>\n Facebook: facebook.com\/JanieFloresLive <\/a>Instagram: instagram.com\/janiefloreslive <\/a>Artist Website: https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/janiesartjournals<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWednesday, September 16, 2026<\/b>
\n6:00 \u2013 9:00 PM<\/b>
\nNational Museum of Mexican Art<\/b>
\n1852 W. 19th Street
\nChicago, IL 60608<\/p>\n
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