Janie’s Art Journals Brings 'Joy in Resilience' to Salud Chicago Gala, Highlighting Immigrant Stories Through Sustainable Art

Janie’s Art Journals has been selected to showcase a new series, “Joy in Resilience,” at Salud Chicago’s inaugural gala on September 16 at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The event supports Salud Chicago’s nonprofit community mental health work, merging art with a mission to make mental health resources more accessible and affirming. The series, created by Chicago paper artist and Janie’s Art Journals founder Janie Flores, comprises five handmade journals that celebrate the resilience of Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities as they navigate daily challenges to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Each journal in the series is constructed from 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 elements together 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 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. The initiative 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 practice centered on storytelling, sustainability, connection, curiosity, and healing.

“Joy In Resilience” expands 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 at Salud Chicago’s inaugural gala is especially meaningful because the event benefits ongoing community mental health work while bringing together art, community, and a shared commitment to accessible mental health resources. The gala will take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 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, a former award-winning publicist, radio host, and conference speaker, returned to paper arts as part of her own creative and healing journey. Today, Janie’s Art Journals brings together her love of storytelling, sustainability, art, and community—one repurposed page at a time. The initiative’s work can be explored further at https://ko-fi.com/janiesartjournals.

By presenting “Joy In Resilience” at a mental health benefit, Janie’s Art Journals highlights how art can serve as a vehicle for healing and community dialogue. The series not only repurposes materials but also repurposes narratives, offering a counterpoint to systems that discard both resources and people. In a city shaped by immigration, the journals stand as tangible testaments to resilience, joy, and the enduring power of culture.