This project allowed for an invaluable opportunity to learn from and directly connect with disabled artists in our community. I’m a firm believer that the best way to truly learn about and understand something is to ask the people directly involved. With this project, we were able to do just that. Individual change has its own power, and I’d like to think that I was able to broaden my horizon with our discussions with Hope and Rainbow. I hope to take this knowledge into the real world with me, that I might continue to hold a respect for the bonding power of art and the bridges of understanding that it can build.
- Taylor
I had the opportunity to speak with Miki, the owner of the Just Love housing the work of these young artists. Miki has been the owner of Just Love East for a year and a half. Miki explained to me that Just Love’s mission involves adoption and working with families directly to help cover things such as adoption fees. They also have partnered with several different organizations and non-profits such as Palmer Home, a non-profit that helps foster children of incarcerated mothers. They have also partnered with Good Shepherd Children’s Home and even had a recent book signing from author Bekah Barnes who authored the book “The Forgotten Mom” which encourages “atypical” moms through their parenting.
“We let our partnerships come organically,” Miki says. “A lot of the time the community will just come in with their cause or event and we’ll work with them.” This kind of attitude falls in line with Just Love’s ideal of treating everyone as family, which is also what Miki says is Just Loves biggest appeal.
“I think having just a comfortable space for people to come in and feel at home is what attracts people. People will come in to just hang out for the atmosphere and won’t even buy anything, which is fine by us!” Miki explains.
Miki also explained that the upstairs loft of Just Love was empty, and she wanted to fill it with local art. That’s when Borderless Art got in touch and because of their great cause and connection with the community Miki wanted their art to fill the space.
- Kody
In this project I learned the history behind the Just Love franchise. Their mission helped me to see the power the arts can have when it comes to communicating. With this I will apply it to my own art and music to try and reach even more people.
- Zach
Throughout my research in disabilities, more specifically communication with people who have disabilities I have learned a few things. Whilst we may think someone with a disability is much different than the rest of us and may be impossible to communicate with, we must be a bit more open minded and patient. I’ve learned that patience along with a good attitude and some tips and tricks can help greatly to communicate normally. They may have different ways of talking or taking in information, but if we take the time to read and work with them communication can be easy.
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- Jack
At first, I thought the “Just Love” project was going to be a regular final project like any other class but little did I know there was going to be a whole new world that I haven’t discovered before. Not only did I make new friends in my group project, but I also met new people from outside the project. The Just Love Cafe introduced me to many artists and people. I got the wonderful opportunity to meet a very young and bright artist named Rainbow Mosho. Through my interview and research, I learned many things about Rainbow Mosho and what she has accomplished. I have learned what the Just Love Cafe is and what it stands for. I have also learned about my very own professor Kissinger who has contributed extraordinary things to the community that I wouldn’t have known without this project. I would like to thank you all who made this opportunity possible to complete my project and also to discover a new world.
- Phillip