Andy and Jennifer Parker had no plans to open a second gallery in Newburgh, Indiana, after they moved from Indianapolis in 2021, but once they saw a need, it was hard to ignore.
The Hope Gallery first opened in Bargersville, Indiana, in 2018, after the Parkers struggled to find vocational training opportunities for their autistic son, Alex, upon his graduation from high school. They opened the gallery so Alex, who was 21 at the time, and his friend had a safe working environment. Team members with developmental disabilities have a safe space to find purpose, learn job skills, and engage with the community.
โEvery single team member wants to work,โ Jennifer says. โThey want the community to see what they can do.โ
At The Hope Gallery in Newburgh, Indiana, team members create art and crafts โ jewelry, mosaics, bracelets, keychains, and more โ to sell, perform customer service, manage inventory, and write grant applications.
Upon moving to Evansville in 2021, when Andy became a physician advisor with Deaconess Health System, Alex again needed a job, and Jennifer suspected there were others in the Tri- State in the same situation. She posted on social media to find individuals interested in working on a tile mosaic for their new home. After their 13-yearold daughter, Hope โ the galleryโs namesake โ passed away unexpectedly in 2020, Jennifer had not considered starting another gallery. But when 10 people answered her call, she realized there was a larger need in the community than just her home could provide.
Since 2021, The Hope Gallery has served more than 90 people in the Tri-State. Jennifer says opening the second gallery has been โa balm for my soul.โ
Tess Grimm, Jenniferโs mother, regularly helps in the gallery after retiring from the Reitz Home Museum in 2011. An annual gala โ the next is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Evansville Country Club โ supports the gallery and the nonprofit organization behind it, The Alex and Ali Foundation.
โWe focus on ability over disability. The team members know we believe in them,โ Jessica says. โThe community has been very supportive of us.โ
