Just Imagine: Empowering Individuals to Achieve More

David Lee Morgan, Jr., PBS Western Reserve content contributor

• Published on December 23, 2024 • Last modified on December 24, 2024 • Comments

Just Imagine: Empowering Individuals to Achieve More

CANTON, OH: The rich and vibrant colors of the paintings on the wall are captivating.

When you walk through the doors of Just Imagine, a visually inviting studio space in the heart of downtown Canton, just blocks from Centennial Plaza, you'll know you're in a magical place. You’ll be able to see, and feel in your heart, that something special is going on.

Each work of art tells you not only the story of that particular creation, but also of the creators — the artists. And what wonderful artists you’ll find inside. Just Imagine is a unique art program offered by TWi, headquartered in Stark County. TWi has served individuals with developmental disabilities in Northeast Ohio for over 50 years.

There are about 20 artists with TWi who call this space their home away from home. Just imagine walking in and seeing a group of artists experiencing the joy of creating art for the public to enjoy.

“Just Imagine was generated before I came aboard TWi, so I missed those original exciting conversations,” said Joel Endres, Day Services manager with TWi. “They definitely nailed it … I see folks visualizing and creating everything from papier mache works, to beautiful oil-based paintings. The name, Just Imagine captures an inclusive idea ‘If you can imagine it, we can create it together.’ Any medium, any size, the sky’s the limit.”

Rachel Doty, marketing director, said TWi was intentional to make Just Imagine a space reflective of the other boutiques, shops and galleries in downtown Canton. “We think adults with developmental disabilities are just like everyone else,” Doty said. “Perhaps they just need a bit more support to reach their goals. We wanted to give them that opportunity and that platform, just like typical folks who create and present their work in an environment that is just like any artist.”

Doty said the artists’ works are for public viewing, and for sale. “Some of our artists come in and this is a job for them, so they're working Monday through Friday, just like typical folks would go to work.”

Let’s Meet Some of the Artists

Kryssie

“I do a variety of things, but I guess my thing is I do artwork more than the crafting. I really like painting and drawing, especially painting, but I do all kinds of stuff like acrylic, watercolor oil, pastels, pencils and paint markers.”

“I did this at home and I did it with acrylic paint and I put a glass bead gel on it. So, you can feel the texture.”

Glass bead gel is transparent and dries clear, allowing the colors underneath to show through. The glass beads reflect light, creating a sparkling effect, and adding texture.

What Does Just Imagine Mean to You?

“I feel like I found my people here. I found my place where I belong and fit in, and I could express myself and be myself. I'm with other people that are just like myself.”

Carrie

“I do drawing; knitting; crocheting; and mixed media painting, where I layer paint on top of each other.” Carrie said mixed media can also include things like using colored pencil drawings and ink along with multi-layered paint. “I've been sewing and crocheting since I was seven.”

Carrie said one of her favorite aspects of art is creating purses from clothing.

“I will cut the seams from a pair of jeans and use the pant legs for the straps,” she said. Then, you can put a bandana or scarf through the belt loops to make it look really pretty.”

What Does Just Imagine Mean to You?

“Just Imagine is a safe haven and a place where I have freedom to express myself creatively. It’s important to me because it helps me relieve my stress and it helps me focus. Those are two things I struggle with.”

Amber

“This piece I had done when I was in the middle of dating somebody and I thought, why not do a painting about that? You know, they say if you’re a guy, you’re the girl’s king and the girl is his queen.”

She shared insight on another piece she created that was inspired by her feeling of belonging at Just Imagine.

“This one…with 2010 on it, that is the year I graduated from high school. That piece is very special to me because it's the first one I ever did when I started coming to Just Imagine.”

What Does Just Imagine Mean to You?

“Before coming to Just Imagine, I was in a day program that was very stressful, and I always had to ask if I could bring my art stuff with me.”

Amber said she just wanted a place where the space welcomed her, and her art.

Dina

“I was just bored one day at home, and I wanted to see if I could do pencil on canvas, and I guess it worked. I was into ‘Coraline,’ and I just wanted to make a knockoff. But I also wanted it to be a mix with ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and the clock eye. Eyes were always my thing in art.”

What Does Just Imagine Mean to You?

“It's been important for me because I went to Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna for Graphic Communications, and I just couldn't find a regular job. So, I just needed somewhere I could be me, work at my own pace, take my time, and try new things that I can teach to others.”

Selina

“I wondered what it would be like if I started drawing. My brother is a great artist, and I was like, ‘I want to do this just like my brother.’ That’s how I started.”

What Does Just Imagine Mean to You?

“I'm happy because I made nice friends here and they inspire me, and I inspire them. We do a lot of things together like going on outings and meeting new people. That’s why I like it here.”

Keysean

Doty said Kesean is a man of few words, but his art speaks volumes.

“Keysean is a meticulous artisan who plans, draws, cuts and assembles intricate paper sculptures, one perfectly measured square at a time. He enjoys focusing on details and is very particular about getting every detail just right,” Doty said. “Keysean loves playing games like Mario Kart and Minecraft and can usually be found playing the newest puzzle game during his breaks. When he is not focused on passing a level or perfecting a piece, Keysean likes to be active and visit fairs and parks.”

Scott Simler’s Art Lives On

One of TWi’s most famous artists, Scott Simler, passed away unexpectedly on April 28, 2024, at the age of 42.

Scott’s work always was and still is recognizable, and not just in Stark County.

“Scott was with us (TWi) for over 20 years,” Doty said. “Most of his adult life, he was an artist in our program. As we moved from different locations, he stayed with us. He had a very unique style. As you can probably see in some of his work, it was all very identifiable that it was his. He worked very hard to hone that craft. And honestly, we have sold and shipped his art all over the world.”

Jack Devereaux, service and support administrator with the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said Scott already had a great support system set up with his family and others in the community.

Devereaux said with different funding through the years, Stark DD was able to connect Scott to needed services to help support him with his dreams and needs. That funding connected him to TWi and artists in the community.

“Scott’s art has been on display at many locations, including the Massillon Museum of Art, a public library, the Massillon Rec Center, as well as at art shows, much of which was set up by TWi staff,” Devereaux said. “He’s had art shows at Just Imagine, First Friends Church, [and] Cyrus Custom Framing & Art Gallery.”

Kathy Wiskofske, Scott’s mom, wiped away tears of joy from her face as she smiled talking about her son, the joy he had in creating his art, and the joy he brought to others.

“Scott always loved all of his coworkers and never said a bad thing about anybody, which was his personality,” Kathy said. “Scott always saw the best in everybody while working here. He had a lot of good people with him at TWi, a lot of good people.”

Kathy said one of Scott’s more interesting pieces that was still for sale was a creation that came out of collaboration. Scott studied under a famous local artist, Vicki Boatright, who owns BZTAT Studios in Canton. Boatright and Simler took famous pictures and Scott came up with his own interpretation.

The result was an art show called “Super Scott’s Magical Mashed Up World.”

Amy Webster, Scott’s younger sister said: “Scott was a very special person and an extraordinary artist. He lived the artist's dream of being busy and inspired all the time. He was well known in the community and had gained quite the following of collectors that extends literally around the world.”

“I want to thank everyone at Justin Imagine for recognizing Scott’s talent and giving him the opportunity to create and share his passion. He will be greatly missed, but I am grateful he left so much for us to remember him and appreciate his art for generations to come.”

Filer image element — David Lee Morgan, Jr.

David Lee is currently an English teacher at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. Prior to transitioning into teaching, David was a longtime sportswriter where we worked for the Warren Tribune-Chronicle, Youngstown Vindicator, Raleigh (NC) News & Observer, Binghamton (NY) Press & Sun Bulletin, WYTV Channel 33 in Youngstown, and the Akron Beacon Journal. David Lee and his wife Jill enjoy their Northeast Ohio home in Canton with their two Labrador retrievers, D. J., and Donut.