Janice Yow Hindes tracer her love of art back to an unexpected place: a childhood case of measles.

               Confined to bed at the age of twelve, she passed the time studying an encyclopedia of art. Somewhere along the way, she fell in love with art.

               Decades later she would go on to encourage artists and students throughout San Antonio.

               People in the local art community know Janice for many things. She helped revive Coppini Academy, organized paint outs, brought nationally respected artists to San Antonio, and created “One Day I’ll Paint,” a program that began at Alamo Heights Junior High and gave under-served children free art instruction, supplies, meals, framing, and public exhibitions of their work.

               She is also an accomplished painter herself, having won first place in the prestigious annual oil Painters of America competition, a major honor in the world of representational art.

               But when asked what stands out most to her personally, Janice does not mention awards.

               “The gratitude from the fathers reading to their children stay with me,” she said.

               That may explain why she has spent so many years helping others through art.

               For more than a decade, Janice organized “One Day I’ll Paint,” helping children experience art in a way that felt welcoming rather than intimidating. Students were guided with simple questions about color, light, and observation.

               Janice’s influence on San Antonio’s art community also continues through Hindes Fine Art Gallery and Atelier on West Ashby Place, which she founded in a historic 1915 home overlooking Alta Vista. The gallery and studio space, now in partnership with artist and Relator Andrea Wollenzin, has become both a teaching space and gathering place for representational artists throughout the city.

               “Art has the power to do good,” Janice said, quoting artist Richard Schmid. “I think art is healing and we need more healing in this modern world.”

When asked what art gives children that other activities may not, her answer was simple.

               “Peace. It clears all the noise from our heads and lets us concentrate on beauty. And beauty heals.”

Janice has studied with many nationally respected artists over the years.

               “Their standards have guided me,” she said. “You can’t become good if you don’t know what good is.”

               That same practical wisdom comes through when she talks to people who believe they are not talented enough to try art.

               “Anyone can learn art,” she said. “It’s like driving a car. We all drive, but not all drive in the Indianapolis 500.”

               Then came one of the more memorable lines of the conversation.

               “You don’t need confidence to create art, just courage. And if you really analyze the activity, it does not include working with explosives, pathogens, cartels, or seriously dangerous vipers. So why not?”

               The program now plans to expand to include children connected with Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA), the organization that advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system.

               Even after decades of volunteering, mentoring, organizing, fundraising, and teaching, Janice still thinks about her own work as an artist with the same determination she had as a child turning pages in that encyclopedia.

               “My goal has always been one great painting before I die,” she said. “Each time I pick up a blank canvas, I start on that project.”