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, which supports Salud Chicago’s nonprofit community mental health work, 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 celebrates the resilience of Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities as they navigate daily challenges to their life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Each journal in the “Joy In Resilience” 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. According to the press release, 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 Janie’s Art Journals, a sustainable art initiative founded in 2023 that transforms discarded materials—such as old books, cardboard packaging, vintage papers, reclaimed fabrics, and other found materials—into unique handmade works of art. The initiative emerged from Flores’ return to paper arts during a deeply personal period following the loss of her mother, growing into a practice centered on storytelling, sustainability, connection, curiosity, and healing.
“Joy In Resilience” builds on that philosophy by asking: 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, preserving fragments of community life while reimagining them into something new.
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. Those interested in attending can visit https://saludchicago.com/#events. 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. For more information about the artist, visit https://ko-fi.com/janiesartjournals.
