A Memphis high school student is using art to unlock something powerful in others—and himself. Meet James Jin, the founder of ArtFlow, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting neurodivergent and under-resourced students through creative expression.
Since launching in April 2024, ArtFlow has expanded to 10 Memphis schools (and counting), building bridges between students, artists, museums, and entire school communities. But behind the numbers is something more meaningful: young people discovering their voices (and their value) through art.
🎨 Want more stories about Memphis students reshaping the city?
Who’s the Founder of ArtFlow and What Inspired Him?
James Jin is a junior at White Station High School. Born and raised in Memphis, James knows firsthand what it’s like to feel different in a classroom that doesn’t understand you.
“In kindergarten, I was labeled a ‘troublesome kid’ because I couldn’t sit still and doodled during lessons. I thought something was wrong with me,” James told us.
“It wasn’t until last year that I was diagnosed with ADHD, and that moment changed everything.”
When James learned that legends like Leonardo da Vinci and Pablo Picasso were also neurodivergent, something clicked: ArtFlow was born out of a desire to create the kind of space he wished he had growing up.
🧠 His message? Being neurodivergent isn’t a flaw.
What Does ArtFlow Do in Memphis Schools?
ArtFlow partners with Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS), Brooks Museum, Dixon Gallery, Contemporary Arts Memphis, and others to bring creative programming directly into classrooms, especially in schools where no formal art curriculum exists.
Students in ArtFlow get:
🎨 Access to art materials
🖌️ Guided lessons and workshops with local artists
🧑🎨 After-school programs focused on creative and emotional expression
🖼️ Opportunities to showcase their art in exhibitions and fundraisers
💬 A supportive community where neurodivergence is celebrated, not suppressed
The impact? Students feel seen, heard, and empowered to express who they truly are.
What Kind of Impact Is ArtFlow Making?
One moment that stands out to James was during Art Night, an ArtFlow fundraiser and student exhibition. A father approached him with tears in his eyes.
“He thanked me for helping his autistic son believe in his dream of becoming an architect,” James shared.
“Before ArtFlow, he wasn’t sure if he could do it. Now, he’s more committed than ever and knows that his deep focus is a gift.”
Another powerful story? A student who couldn’t afford an ADHD diagnosis finally received one thanks to ArtFlow’s fundraising efforts. For the first time, he saw himself not as a “troublemaker,” but as a kid with a real name for what he was experiencing and real tools to succeed.
What’s Next for ArtFlow?
ArtFlow’s vision is big—and growing fast.
Here’s what’s on the horizon:
🖍️ District-wide expansion into all 214 Shelby County schools
📦 A $50,000 fundraising goal to distribute art supplies equitably across Title I schools
🎤 A potential workshop and speaking engagement with renowned artist Derek Fordjour
🌍 Long-term dreams of expanding regionally, nationally, and globally
But no matter how far ArtFlow goes, its heart remains here in Memphis.
“There’s so much untapped creative potential among neurodivergent kids,” James told us.
“We’re just getting started unleashing it.”
How Can You Support ArtFlow?
Want to help empower the next generation of Memphis artists and changemakers?
Here’s how you can get involved:
🖌️ Donate to ArtFlow at artflowstudio.org to fund supplies, programs, and student events
📣 Share their story with educators, families, and friends across Memphis
🎨 Attend upcoming exhibitions or fundraisers (details on their Instagram @artflowusa)
🤝 Partner with them if you’re part of a school, nonprofit, or arts org
Every dollar, share, and connection helps bring art and healing to a child who needs it.
