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Project Onward: 20 Years of Empowering Artists and Changing Perceptions
Project Onward: 20 Years of Empowering Artists and Changing Perceptions
Art is a tool for empowerment—the act of expressing yourself creatively goes beyond labels or experience. At Project Onward, all participants are artists first and foremost.
Since 2004, this unique studio and gallery space has been dedicated to empowering adult artists living with developmental disabilities and mental illness. But it’s not just about providing a space to create—it’s about fostering a community where artists can thrive, challenge stereotypes, and redefine what it means to be an artist.
“The only labels we use are contemporary, abstract, fiber, digital and ceramic artists,” said Nancy Gomez, Executive Director. “It’s only when asking for grants and donations, we’re impelled to say neurodiverse artists because after all, it’s our mission to challenge the narrative that says adults with disabilities and mental illness are different or incapable of living their lives as artists.”
Project Onward is dedicated to providing artists with the very best—from its beautiful studio space to quality art materials, guidance, and access to markets in order to sell their art and earn an income. The artists are provided with the opportunity to create their work in a safe, supportive studio environment, with access to workspace, materials, and professional guidance without being encumbered by cost. It’s all about the act of creative expression, at no cost to the artist!
But Project Onward is more than just a studio—it’s a platform for change. Project Onward strives to inspire change by using art to promote empathy and reduce the stigma of mental illness and developmental disabilities. Through professional exhibitions, public programs, workshops, and portrait slams, the studio and gallery connect artists with the wider arts community and the general public, promoting audience participation and giving artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their work.
The non-profit studio is inclusive and embraces artists with a wide range of life experiences. Some are self-taught artists who have autism, while some are formally trained with bipolar disorder. There are other artists with challenges that are equally complex, however, all of them willingly explore the innermost recesses of their minds to create powerful works of art.
“We seek to improve the self-image of the artists and create awareness by emphasizing the social and economic value of their work,” added Gomez. “We exist to give artists with disabilities a ‘visual voice’ to tell their stories and change their perceptions of the world.”
The impact of Project Onward doesn’t end in the studio or on the canvas. The artwork created here has found its way into private and corporate collections around the world, including prestigious institutions like the Obama Foundation in D.C., the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, and the Museum van de Geest in Amsterdam. Each piece tells a story, challenges perceptions, and gives voice to the artists who created it.
This year marks 20 years of Project Onward, and the organization is showing no signs of slowing down!
With your support, whether through donations, becoming a member, attending exhibitions, or scheduling a tour of the studio, you can join us in our mission to empower artists, change perceptions, and build a more inclusive world—one brushstroke at a time.
Visit projectonward.org to learn more.
