Who is Jessica Vohs?
Jessica Vohs is a visual artist who lives and creates art in Brookline, MA. She was born with Cerebral Palsy and uses communication devices and some signs to communicate.
Her passion and interest in the arts was supported by her mother Janet Vohs, who ensured that Jessica received education and instruction in the arts by various teachers throughout the years.
In the past, Jessica has written poetry, used watercolors on paper, and painted silk scarves. As symptoms related to CP have progressed, Jessica’s range of motion has changed. She is now experimenting with new fiber art techniques such as tie-dye, shibori, and eco prints.
"The biggest influences in my life have been my experiences as a person with disabilities unable to speak, my mother's belief in me, my teachers, and other artists and musicians. Because I'm unable to speak I am perceived as not having anything to say. My art changes that perception."
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Jessica continues to sell and show her work today. She contributes her scarves and shirts to disability advocacy organizations for fundraising, and has been honored to have several advocacy organizations use her designs and paintings to promote her work, as well as commission new works from her.
Blooming ~ A Community Mural Project
In 2021, Jessica created a huge 6 x 14 ft mural project in collaboration with over 20 disabled artists residing in a residential living community.
Statement: The pandemic challenged all of us in ways we never experienced before. Disabled artists Jessica Vohs and Moriah Faith understand that the people hit hardest by isolation due to COVID-19 are those most at risk with disabilities, who have spent much of the past year confined to their homes. The goal of this project was to begin mending this disconnection through something that transcends language: paint!
Given by the socially distanced smiles, laughter, and chatting from the residents at the New England Village, it seems to have helped. Over 20 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities helped contribute to the mural in their unique way: pouring, rolling, brushing, and smearing paint onto the canvas. The resulting mural is a striking declaration that together, we can accomplish things much bigger than ourselves.