Chicago paper artist Janie Flores will present a new series of handmade art journals at Salud Chicago’s Inaugural Gala on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The event benefits Salud Chicago’s nonprofit community mental health work, and Flores’s series, titled “Joy In Resilience,” comprises five journals that celebrate the resilience of Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities.
Each 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. 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,” Flores said. “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 materials destined for landfills—old books, cardboard packaging, vintage papers, reclaimed fabrics, and other found materials—into unique handmade works of art. Flores, a former award-winning publicist, radio host, and conference speaker, 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 initiative centered on storytelling, sustainability, connection, curiosity, and healing.
“Joy In Resilience” builds on that philosophy by asking a larger 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, preserving fragments of community life while reimagining them into something new.
The opportunity to present the series at Salud Chicago’s Inaugural Gala is especially meaningful because the event will support 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. The gala will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608. Those interested in attending can find more information at https://saludchicago.com/#events.
Flores’s work has also been featured on social media, with her artist website available at https://ko-fi.com/janiesartjournals. She maintains a Facebook page at facebook.com/JanieFloresLive and an Instagram account at instagram.com/janiefloreslive.
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.
