USU features art exhibit from Jump the Moon, a studio for artists with challenges or limitations

LOGAN, Utah (ABC4) — Right now inside the Sorensen Center for Clinical Excellence on the campus of Utah State University there is a very special art exhibit. The art is from artists with Jump the Moon, a group of Cache Valley artists creating art despite challenges and limitations.

Matthew Wappett is the Executive Director of the Institute for Disability Research, Policy and Practice. He said, “There are a lot of assumptions about what people with disabilities can and cannot do. But being creative and expressing ourselves in an aspect of being human.”

These artists are expressing their creative selves. Each piece of art hanging on the walls of the Lindsley Wilkerson Gallery tells a story. Not just of the art, but the person who made it.

ABC4 met with three of the artists with art in the exhibit. For Linda, her challenges get pushed said as she creates art. Linda told ABC4, “When you are fighting with pain, you can get out of it when you are focused on something so good.”

McKay finds purpose in his art. “I like to explore new things and ways of art.  It allows me to provide service in my community.”

Alex shares his joy in his drawings. His take on what a cow looks like are so loved, they are selling prints Alex has signed.

Michael Bingham works with his artists inside his Jump the Moon studio in downtown Logan.  Their mission is making art and the empowerment that comes with it.

Michael said the goal for Jump the Moon is simple, “Bring joy to people through art, but also bring a sense of accomplishment and achievement that each individual has made something themself.”

You can’t miss the Jump the Moon studio off Main Street in Logan. A giant astronaut flies in front of the door, and he welcomes you to this world of art.

Michael explained, “I just got dreaming of this space where we could do more and find everybody’s talent and the nonprofit Jump the Moon grew out of that.”

No matter a person’s challenge or limitation, Michael builds devices to facilitate creation. That’s where the name “Jump the Moon” was born. In Michael’s imagination the only way the two jumped the moon in the nursery rhyme was because of help. 

Michael said, “The whole reason I took that name is because the cow did something impossible with a device. For me a jet pack made it possible for the cow to get over the moon.  In our studio a painting chair is an assistive device or so many of the things that we have in the studio are the thing that let someone do something that otherwise would be impossible.”

What may seem impossible is possible inside this studio. It really is incredible what each artist can create.

McKay has been working with Michael for years and he knows from experience, “There’s no limits to what you can do.”

Displaying the possibility is why this exhibit at Utah State University is more than just art.

Michael said, “There is so much joy, gratitude and happiness in these individuals that have incredible challenges.  They have figured out to be happy.  That’s inspiring.”

This exhibit has been extended through October. You can find information about the exhibit here. To learn more about Jump the Moon, visit their website here.