HIGH POINT — Phillips Collection‘s Artists with Abilities initiative provides accessible opportunities for children and adults who face mental, physical and emotional challenges to exhibit their artwork and express themselves. This program focuses on abilities, not disabilities, and includes mentorship, community and inclusion.
“At its core, this initiative is about celebrating the creative abilities of individuals with physical and mental challenges,” said Jason Phillips, CEO of Phillips Collection. “The work that comes out of these sessions is incredibly authentic; there’s a freedom and honesty to it that’s hard to replicate.”
The twice-annual exhibition took place this week for the first time at Cohab Space in High Point. Cohab Space is a dedicated non-profit creative campus where artists, designers and makers work, collaborate and showcase their work.
Phillips said the collaboration began as a collaboration with The Enrichment Center in Winston-Salem and has grown into something larger across the triad. “This market, we’re expanding it further through Cohab Space, creating a more visible and community-driven platform.”
This spring, Phillips Collection has partnered with Michael and Hanna Manes, co-executive directors of Cohab Space. “Michael and Hannah were formerly based in Asheville and now relocated to the area, where they operate out of Cohab Space,” Phillips said. “They helped lead this season’s session, bringing a new layer of artistic depth and intention to the experience.”
For Phillips Collection, Artists with Abilities is a natural extension of what the company believes design should do: start conversation and create connection. “This project is a reminder that creativity isn’t limited by traditional definitions of ability; in many ways, it’s expanded by it,” said Phillips.
The finished pieces, often painted directly onto Phillips Collection objects – will be showcased at both Phillips Collection and Cohab Space. To see more, click here.
