Opening Hearts, Opening Minds: Why Awareness and Empathy Matter
Chloe Trachtenberg | April 30, 2025
Before I started working with differently abled individuals, I thought I had a pretty solid idea of what inclusion looked like. But my time at Open Hearts Art Center completely changed that. I didn’t just learn about stigma from the outside. I saw how deeply it can affect people’s lives, and I also saw how powerful real support and empathy can be when they actually show up in a space.
Open Hearts is an amazing nonprofit in Asheville that uses art to help differently abled adults thrive. The artists there have Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and other developmental differences. But what I noticed immediately is that those labels don’t even begin to describe who they are. These are individuals with so much creativity, humor, and spirit. The studio is more than just a place to make art. It’s a place where people connect, express themselves, and feel a true sense of belonging. And I think a lot of people really underestimate how healing that kind of environment can be.
When I joined the program, I helped organize supplies, supported the artists during their creative process, and photographed their work and events. One of the biggest highlights was the talent show. Seeing each artist take the stage and just glow with confidence and joy was honestly emotional. You could feel the love and support in the room. It reminded me that at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Photo of the talent show.
But the truth is, the world outside that studio doesn’t always see individuals the way I did. There’s still so much stigma and misunderstanding. People make assumptions that are so unfair. Like assuming someone with Down Syndrome can’t live independently or create something meaningful. That kind of thinking isn’t just outdated. It’s wrong. I met artists who were incredibly emotionally intelligent, present, and insightful. More so than a lot of neurotypical adults I’ve interacted with.
Individuals don’t need to be fixed. They need to be understood. They need to be given space and chances to shine. Art is such a powerful way to do that. I saw how painting or collage gave people a way to say things they might not be able to put into words. I saw how working on projects together sparked friendships. Being there reminded me why expressive arts therapy means so much to me. It’s not about labeling people or trying to change them. It’s about connecting. It’s about helping people express what’s inside in ways that feel natural and real. It’s about making sure individuals feel seen and valued. At Open Hearts, that wasn’t just a goal. It was happening every day.
I walked away from this internship with so much more than experience. I feel more confident leading and adapting at the moment. I feel more grounded in my purpose. And I feel so much love for this population. I also feel more certain than ever that our society needs to step up. We need to create more inclusive spaces. We need to challenge the way we talk about individuals who are seen as different. We need to listen more. And we need to replace pity with real partnership, because staying naive is just another form of ignorance.
The artists I met aren’t inspiring because they have challenges. They’re inspiring because they show up every day with heart, humor, and talent. I just wish more people could see what I saw.
So here’s what I’ll keep asking. How do we keep challenging stigma? How do we change the story around individuals who are differently abled? And how do we lead with empathy in everything we do? Because when we do that, we create a world where everyone gets a chance to thrive.