CHICAGO - s4story -- Janie Flores, the creative force behind Janie's Art Journals, has been accepted into the Illinois Humanities Odyssey Project as part of the 2025–2026 Cohort.

The Odyssey Project, accredited by the University of Illinois at Chicago, offers interdisciplinary humanities courses in literature, philosophy, U.S. history, art history, critical thinking, and writing. A welcoming space for participants to explore big ideas, earn college credit, and be part of a supportive community.

Funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly through the Illinois Arts Council, Odyssey has helped open doors to education and opportunity for more than 20 years.

This September, Illinois Humanities will also mark 50 years of creativity, connection, and community with a celebration at Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago.

Flores started Janie's Art Journals in 2023, transforming discarded books and packaging into sustainable art and writing journals. Each journal is made with reclaimed papers, vintage fabrics, and materials sourced from the Mexico Cultura y Orgullo artisan collective in Oaxaca, Mexico—blending eco-consciousness with culture and storytelling.

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"I'm honored to be part of the Odyssey Project," said Flores. "It's about expanding not just education, but also imagination, community, and opportunity."

Learn more about Janie's Art Journals at https://ko-fi.com/janiesartjournals and follow along on social media @JanieFloresLive.

About Janie's Art Journals
Janie's Art Journals, a new venture of Buena Vida Media, transforms discarded books into unique art and writing journals. Combining sustainable practices with artistic expression, Flores uplifts community storytelling through creativity. Learn more at https://ko-fi.com/janiesartjournals and follow @JanieFloresLive on social media.