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Shopping: Ground-breaking artwork representation agency Art of Possibility Studios, the only for-profit art brand exclusively dedicated to helping physically disabled artists become financially self-reliant, is changing the world for the better – one piece of licensed artwork at a time.

In partnership with Trends International, the leading publisher and manufacturer of posters, calendars, coloring activity kits and social stationery, the company has introduced a collection of bookmarks featuring fine art by four disabled artists on the agency’s roster. Not just any bookmark, these mark a new era in both for-profit artwork licensing and independent income opportunities for the disabled.

The bookmarks (US$3.99/CAN$4.49) feature vibrantly colored hand painted images, each with an uplifting message about “Love,” “Faith,” “Inspiration,” or “Perseverance” on the front and a brief artist biography on the back. Also adorned with a decorative beaded tassel, the bookmarks have been thoughtfully designed to be a meaningful and treasured keepsake.

“These bookmarks showcase beautiful imagery and inspirational messages of hope and possibility that disabled artists wish to share with a broad audience in a professional, career capacity,” said Ketra Oberlander, founder of the Art of Possibility Studios – herself a blind artist whose award-winning paintings are also represented by the agency. “In addition to having mass consumer appeal, these products also help disabled artists earn an autonomous living as societal equals rather than dependents.”

While the bookmarks have been lauded for their physical beauty to which I can personally attest, I encourage consumers to also take a moment to realize the magnitude of this simple purchase – direct support, liberation and empowerment of a physically disabled artist no longer dependent on charity and disability benefits, or oppressed by logistical limitations, in their quest for self-sufficiency.

Although Trends International’s Art of Possibility bookmarks will soon be available through brick-and-mortar retail stores with locations to be announced, they are currently available for online purchase at Art of Possibility Studios

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***