Janie’s Art Journals has been selected to present a new series of handmade art journals at Salud Chicago’s Inaugural Gala, an event supporting the nonprofit’s community mental health work. The gala will take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. The series, titled “Joy in Resilience,” was created by Chicago paper artist and Janie’s Art Journals founder Janie Flores and consists of five journals that celebrate the resilience of Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities.
The significance of this announcement lies in its dual focus: amplifying marginalized voices through art and supporting accessible mental health resources. Each journal in the series incorporates reclaimed materials, including protest signs, discarded papers, vintage materials, repurposed fabrics, and special touches of handmade art sourced from Oaxacan artisans in the Mexico Cultura y Orgullo collective. By transforming these materials into works of art, Flores tells a story about the interconnectedness of immigrant life in Chicago and reflects lived realities shared by immigrant communities throughout the United States.
“This series celebrates the incredible resilience that exists within our communities,” said Flores. “Our 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. That is the joy in resilience.”
The concept aligns with the foundation of Janie’s Art Journals, a sustainable art initiative founded in 2023 that transforms materials destined for landfills—old books, cardboard packaging, vintage papers, reclaimed fabrics, and other found materials—into unique handmade works of art. Flores returned 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 storytelling, sustainability, connection, curiosity, and healing.
“Joy in Resilience” builds on that philosophy by asking a bigger question: What can discarded materials tell us about the people and communities that refuse to be discarded? 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.
The opportunity to present this series at Salud Chicago’s Inaugural Gala is especially meaningful because the event will benefit 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. Those interested in attending can visit https://saludchicago.com/#events for more information.
Janie’s Art Journals is honored to be among the artists presenting work and looks forward to introducing “Joy in Resilience” as part of an evening celebrating the power of community, culture, creativity, and connection. The event underscores how art can serve as a vehicle for social impact, bridging sustainability, mental health advocacy, and immigrant narratives at a time when these issues remain critically important.
