Step inside Envision in Evans on any weekday and you’ll feel it immediately—the buzz of brushes, the quiet focus of someone shaping clay, the sudden burst of laughter when a new idea clicks. This isn’t just an art class. It’s a daily explosion of imagination from adults with developmental disabilities who are turning their unique visions into bold, beautiful work.
“I mostly like doing other kinds of crafts, like necklaces and all that,” says artist Daya Miller with a spark in her voice. “I was also thinking of taking up crocheting.” Across the room, Jason Albert strums a ukulele with a huge smile, while others dive into paintings, ceramics, and whatever medium calls to them that day.
Envision, the nonprofit at 1050 37th Street, has been giving Weld County adults with developmental disabilities a powerful creative outlet for years. And the results go far beyond the finished pieces. Executive Director Celeste Ewert has watched people transform: “There are people who we’ve served, and for the first three or four years, you could barely get a ‘hi’ back from them. And now they come to my office and show me something they finished and want to talk about what they did.”
Art program facilitator Christine LeRoy describes the magic of the first days: “Usually when people first come into the art room, it’s kind of a moment of assessment—like, ‘What are your interests? What are your abilities? What mediums are you drawn to?’ And it’s a lot of trial and error because people can’t always tell us.” Once they settle in, the studio becomes a place of pure exploration. Some days bring guided themes; other days the artists simply follow their curiosity—and the results are often stunning.
Newer artist Krisie Mott has thrived so much that she’s now helping others. She still loves making birthday cards, but she’s also become a mentor. “I love it,” she says. “It’s awesome. I love helping them work on their paintings and other stuff.”
Now the entire community gets to experience that energy up close.
Mark your calendars: Friday, October 2, 6–8 p.m.
The annual H’Art of Envision art show takes over the Academy of Natural Therapy at 625 8th Avenue in Greeley during the downtown First Friday Art Walk. Many of the artists will be there in person, ready to talk about their work and share the stories behind every piece.
Sixty-five percent of every sale goes straight to the artist. The rest fuels more supplies and keeps the program running strong. You’ll also find affordable prints, stickers, and calendars that support Envision directly. “We keep everything reasonably priced,” LeRoy says, “because we want people to take them home and enjoy them and display them.”
Can’t make it that night? The artwork stays on display at the Academy through the end of the year. And year-round, you can shop at the Envision building (just east of the Evans Community Complex) or online at EnvisionCo.com.
This isn’t just an art show. It’s a celebration of talent, growth, and the pure joy of creating. Come meet the artists. Feel the energy. And maybe take home a piece of Weld County’s brightest creative spirit.