art show · Children & teens
Emerge by Hopelynd.
Artwork created by artists living with a disability - where the community gathers.
Emerge is Hopelynd's ongoing series of community art exhibitions and pop-up booths that bring artwork created by artists with disabilities directly into everyday spaces- coffee shops, markets, festivals, and events throughout West Michigan.
our events
about the artist
Megan K
My disability has had a profound impact on my art, as it marked the beginning of my creative journey. I am a disabled mixed media artist who picked up a paintbrush one day and simply never let go. My condition is a form of neuropathy that affects my body daily, especially my eyes and limbs. After various surgeries and treatments, I have learned to adapt to every challenge life brings.
I hope my positivity and happiness shine through my artwork for everyone to enjoy.
See more of her work here
see her etsy shop here
Sara Gaver is a self-taught mouth painter from Jacksonville, Florida, living with a physical disability called Arthrogryposis. Using acrylics and watercolor, she creates vibrant, textured pieces that celebrate resilience, color, and the beauty of expression in unexpected forms.
Her creative journey is defined by determination and imagination-painting not with her hands, but with her mouth. Each piece reflects both her technical skill and her unique perspective, transforming challenges into works of art that inspire connection and possibility.
Sara's work has been featured in exhibitions, including an art show in Minnesota, and was chosen for the cover of a book published by the University of St. Augustine. Beyond exhibits, she shares her colorful, one-of-a-kind creations with collectors worldwide through her Etsy shop.
Through her art, Sara continues to empower others to embrace possibility, push beyond limits, and discover the transformative power of creativity.
about the artist
Sara G
about the artist
Sydney R
Sydney Redwine is a multidisciplinary acrylic artist and fire performer from Grand Rapids, Michigan. After surviving a near-fatal car accident caused by a drunk driver in 2023 that left her with lasting disabilities, she found healing through creativity, movement, and nature. Her work explores resilience, transformation, and the beauty that can emerge from life's most difficult seasons.
Naomi is a creative and imaginative 16-year-old autistic teen with a deep love for painting and making things with her hands. For Naomi, creating is more than a hobby. It's how she makes sense of the world, finds her calm and says what words sometimes can't. Whether she's mixing colors on a canvas or bringing a new handmade project to life, she puts her focus, imagination and heart into every piece. Her art is a form of therapy and a window into the unique, beautiful way she sees the world.
about the artist
Naomi H
about the artist
Gabby H
Gabby is a young artist with lots of spunk and creativity. She has upper limb differences in both arms and is also profoundly Deaf. She loves making things with her hands, watching videos on how to create origami and sharing her love of creating with others.
My journey with the pencil began in the second grade, fueled by a simple fascination with how a few graphite strokes could bring a blank page to life. For years, my sketchbook was my constant companion, serving as a sanctuary where I could refine my technical skills and explore the nuances of light, shadow, and form. This foundational love for traditional media taught me the value of patience and precision, allowing me to build a visual vocabulary rooted in the tactile connection between the hand and the paper. Even as my tools have changed, that initial spark of curiosity remains the heartbeat of every piece I create.
As I have grown, my artistic practice has evolved from traditional sketching into the expansive realm of graphic design. Transitioning to digital platforms has allowed me to marry my lifelong love for illustration with purposeful, modern aesthetics. I no longer just draw to replicate the world; I use design to distill complex emotions and narratives into meaningful visual experiences. By blending the organic textures of my pencil-and-paper roots with the clean, deliberate power of graphic art, I strive to create work that resonates on a deeper level, transforming simple ideas into impactful visual statements.
about the artist
Maylene P
about the artist
Raegan P
I have always been a creative at heart, as a kid I drew a lot, and it was rare for me to turn in any kind of assignment or test that didn’t have something drawn on the page. I figured out that hands on learning is what works best for me, and art was one of the few subjects that I could really put that learning style to use. As I got older, priorities shifted to schoolwork and my career, I had less time to create as the years went by and I nearly lost my passion for art. In 2024, I kept seeing videos on social media about crocheting and it piqued my interest. So, I ran to the store as soon as I could to pick up supplies, immediately sat on my couch and watched countless tutorials. Since then, i’ve become obsessed…stuffing yarn and hooks into bags to take with me on car rides, to work, really any place I can bring a project, I will.
Last year I got diagnosed with ADHD. I basically had to relearn myself, applying and connecting everything I could learn about ADHD to my daily life. It clicked that art was one of those things that just made sense within my diagnosis, im always between thoughts and thinking of new ways to do things. Crocheting has allowed me to keep my hands busy while working on tasks that i’d actively avoided before. I can focus on information that wouldn’t have previously stuck, and by the end, I have a handmade piece to show off. Not only do I get the satisfaction of checking boxes off of my list, but I get the excitement of completing a project. Another important part of my personality is being a gift giver, so being able to make a gift for my loved ones contributes to the steady incline of my mental well-being. I’m happy to share my story as a physical manifestation of my talent and creativity !
more artists to celebrate!
Holiday Card
Fundraiser
Click HERE to shop!
More than a card: These designs were created by young artists connected to the disability community. Some have a disability themselves, while others have a sibling, family member, or friend within it. Every sale puts proceeds directly in that artist's pocket while also supporting Hopelynd's programs for the disability community. It's a greeting that says something twice: once to the person who opens it, and once to the young artist whose work made it possible.
Whether it's a birthday, a thank-you, or just because, these cards let you send something genuinely one-of-a-kind and make a difference while you're at it.
