![Imagine Art 600x400png Community members attend JGallery opening reception for Imagine Art exhibit at the Dell JCC on June 2, 2024. Credit: Rebecca Golden](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Imagine-Art-600x400png.png)
Imagine Art: New JGallery Exhibit Presents Artists of Varying Abilities
By Barb Waisman
This summer, the Toby Shor JGallery co-hosts the delightful and inspiring exhibition entitled “Imagine Art: where every life is a work of art,” on display through August 18. Imagine Art is a local nonprofit which serves any artist who is deaf, blind, has an intellectual/developmental disability, lives with mental illness, autism or has a physical disability. Non-disabled artists are also welcome to integrate into the Imagine Art program.
For over 26 years, this non-profit has provided a place for life transformation through art studios that offer creative space, materials and job readiness instruction, all at no cost to the artist. In 2016, some representatives of The Visual Arts League of the JGallery (VAL) researched if Austin had such an organization, and found Debbie Kizer, the dynamic founder of Imagine Art.
In 2017, a collaborative effort produced the first of JGallery’s exhibition with Imagine Art. At the June 2 exhibition reception, Kizer described Imagine Art’s recent growth and its upcoming move this August to its Live+Make campus, offering 66 units of housing anchored by creative programming, empowering people with disabilities to live independently with support.
Several of the artists spoke at the opening reception at the Dell JCC about their unique inspirations for their art, and of their appreciation of the Imagine Art leaders and community. John Molina, a middle-aged artist, started his presentation but suddenly stopped; he had decided he would slowly read it off a paper with the aid of an Imagine Art staff person. When finished, he proudly announced he could not read a word before he went to Imagine Art eight years ago. An obviously moved audience heartily applauded him.
Empowered artists like Molina have become the catalysts for changing existing systems of day habilitation, long term care, peer support and affordable housing. If there is evidence that everyone has a unique and valuable take on the world, it is on view at JGallery this summer.
Latest Posts
![Shalom Austin Honors Achievements and Milestones at 2024 Annual Meeting](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/annual-meeting-600x400-1.png)
Shalom Austin Honors Achievements and Milestones at 2024 Annual Meeting
From left to right: Community gather in the Epstein Family Community Hall for Shalom Austin's 2024 Annual Meeting on May 21, 2024. Credit: Andrew Holmes By Wendy Goodman Shalom Austin held their 2024 annual meeting on May 21 with more than 100 community members in...
![Shalom Austin Allocates $269,000 in Grants to Non-profit Community Partners](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Untitled-design-2.png)
Shalom Austin Allocates $269,000 in Grants to Non-profit Community Partners
Shalom Austin’s Impact Grants Categories for 2024 By Amanda Sokolosky In a record-setting cycle, Shalom Austin recently distributed $269,000 in grants to twenty-one local nonprofit organizations whose missions and objectives align with six key focus areas...
![Shalom Austin’s Meaningful Month of May Holds Even More Meaning This Year](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/yom-haAtzmaut600x400.png)
Shalom Austin’s Meaningful Month of May Holds Even More Meaning This Year
Community members dance and enjoy musical performance by the Dayan Family at Yom HaAtzmaut celebration at the Dell JCC on May 19, 2024. Credit: Rebecca Golden By Alachua Haskins The Jewish people are held by their calendar. They celebrate together, mourn together,...
![](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Federation-WEB__300-x-136.jpg)
![](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JCC-WEB__300-x-136.jpg)
![](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JFS-WEB__300-x-136.jpg)
![](https://shalomaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Foundation-WEB__300-x-136.jpg)
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Fitness
Swimming
Tennis & Pickleball
More Sports
EDUCATION
Jewish Culture & Education
Early Childhood Program Preschool
After School & Childcare
Camps
ARTS & CULTURE
Literary Arts
Visual Arts
Theatre & Film
Dance
COUNSELING & SUPPORT
Jewish Family Service
Counseling & Groups
Case Management
References & Resources
Copyright Shalom Austin 2023. Privacy Policy.