Jess Walters (They/Them) is an independent scholar, disability justice advocate, and mixed-media artist based out of Charlottesville, Va. Their work has been featured in local zines MALA LECHE and HUSK, and they have exhibited at New City Arts Initiative, Studio IX, WTJU, Second Street Gallery, and The Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Jess’ unique perspective as a chronically-ill neurodivergent Deaf-queer person inspires them to identify and challenge barriers to creative community activities and cultivate accessible opportunities for inclusive engagement and communal reverence. In addition to part-time work as staff at New City Arts and Second Street Gallery, they are honored to serve the local arts community as a New City Arts Fellow (2022), and as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at The Bridge PAI.