Chicago paper artist Janie Flores, founder of Janie’s Art Journals, has created a special series of five handmade art journals titled “Joy In Resilience” for Salud Chicago’s Inaugural Gala. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the National Museum of Mexican Art, will support Salud Chicago’s nonprofit community mental health work. The gala offers an opportunity to showcase how art can intersect with mental health advocacy and community resilience.
The “Joy In Resilience” series celebrates the resilience of Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities as they navigate daily challenges to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Each journal 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. 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.
“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 that transforms materials that might otherwise be discarded—old books, cardboard packaging, vintage papers, reclaimed fabrics, and other found materials—into unique handmade works of art.
Founded in 2023, Janie’s Art Journals emerged from Flores’ 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 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, making the journals both art and archive.
The opportunity to present 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. For those interested in attending, more information is available at https://saludchicago.com/#events. The gala will be held at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.
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 series not only highlights the potential of sustainable art to address environmental concerns but also underscores the role of creative expression in mental health and community building. By repurposing materials that carry personal and collective histories, Flores invites viewers to consider how art can preserve memory, foster resilience, and inspire hope. More about the artist’s work can be found at https://ko-fi.com/janiesartjournals.
