About | Serah

Art Embraces Every Ability.

Serah’s Rainbow is an inclusive art gallery dedicated to showcasing the incredible talents of artists with special needs. Our mission is to provide a vibrant space where creativity knows no limits, and every artist, regardless of their abilities, is celebrated for their unique perspectives. At Serah’s Rainbow, we believe that art is a powerful way to express individuality, and we are committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, inclusion, and the belief that everyone’s voice matters.

Our gallery features a wide array of artwork, from paintings to sculptures, all crafted by artists who bring their own personal stories and experiences to life through their creations. By shining a spotlight on these remarkable talents, Serah’s Rainbow aims to challenge societal perceptions of disability and demonstrate that creativity is boundless. We invite you to explore, be inspired, and support the artistic endeavors of a community that is too often overlooked, but whose contributions are invaluable.

Meet the Artists

Different abilities, same creative spirit.

JJ Schock

JJ Schock, a 35-year-old from Mobile, Alabama, is passionate about sports, particularly Special Olympics, and is deeply committed to his spiritual beliefs. His involvement with Serah's Rainbow allows him to express his creativity through vibrant, abstract paintings that reflect his emotions and life experiences. JJ’s art serves as a powerful medium for connection, sharing his passion with the community.

Wesley Dean

Wesley Dean, a graduate of Augusta Evans School, participates in Day Programs like One Happy Herd, where he explores his love for art. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for painting, coupled with his gratitude toward his art teacher, Carolyn Greene, make Wesley a joyful presence in the creative community.

Annie Bryant

Annie, a vibrant adult with a passion for creative expression through art, dancing, music, and acting. Her watercolor paintings often depict nature, a reflection of her deep connection to animals and flowers. Annie also enjoys summer camps and beach trips, which inspire her art and bring her immense joy.

Caroline Clem

At 18, Caroline Clem, a senior at McGill-Toolen High School, is exploring her artistic talents, with a particular interest in working with clay. Alongside her passion for art, she is an avid gamer, competing on her school’s Esports Super Smash team. Caroline’s diverse interests highlight her creativity and competitive spirit.

Reina Morehead

Reina pursued higher education at Coastal Community College and later the University of South Alabama, where she studied Art and Hospitality. Her passion for blending creativity with guest experience reflects her ambitions to create memorable artistic and hospitality-driven experiences.

Summer Runnels

Summer, a Brandon High School alumna, completed the Passages Program at the University of South Alabama. A talented cartoonist, she specializes in Anime and original character design. Summer's dedication to her craft and eagerness to share her creations reflect her deep passion for art.

Serah Jeppsen

Serah Jeppsen, an artist from Dauphin Island, Alabama, is the inspiration behind Serah’s Rainbow. Her artistic focus is photography, and she has studied ceramics and drawing at the University of South Alabama, showcasing her wide-ranging talents.

John Greene

John Greene enjoys painting hand over hand with his friends. He enjoys art, dance, music, singing, church, horseback riding, animals, jokes, sports on TV, movies and people.

Rachel Seals

Rachel Seals, 26, has channeled her challenges, including anxiety, into her art. With guidance from mentor Carolyn Greene, Rachel has grown as an artist at Serah's Rainbow, sharing her vibrant work, which is filled with love and a desire to help others.

The Story of Serah's Rainbow

Told by Serah's Mom, Mary Jeppsen

In June 1998, I went into labor with our 11th child. I knew this child would be special, but I had no idea just how special. When Serah was born, we discovered she had Down Syndrome. We hadn't had an amniocentesis because we were committed to loving our child no matter what. Serah was born at home, with only myself, my husband Mike, and the midwife present—no doctors, nurses, or tests. From the moment I saw her, I knew. Almond-shaped eyes, chubby cheeks, and a peaceful demeanor.

We kept her at home for five days to settle in, bond, and get used to nursing. But we needed to have her checked since children with Down Syndrome can have serious heart issues, and many struggle with nursing due to low muscle tone (hypotonia). We took her to a pediatrician who handed us a thick book of birth defects and said something I’ll never forget: that chimpanzees were more human than children with Down Syndrome. I was shell-shocked and felt completely alone.

Despite his words, we took Serah to the hospital for tests. I was grateful we had those five days at home to bond because, at the hospital, she was taken from us and subjected to multiple tests. It was traumatic, especially when they spent an hour trying to find a vein for an IV in her tiny hand. After three days, we returned home with a clean bill of health for Serah.

Home was in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, an artist's community nestled in the Ozarks. Our house sat 8 miles down a dirt road on the Kings River, with a huge deck overlooking the valley. That day, after a rainstorm, I stepped out onto the deck with Serah and saw something I had never seen before: a triple rainbow stretched across the sky. As I stood there, exhausted but at peace, I had a recurring thought: one day, Serah will own an art gallery for people like her, with special needs, and it will be called Serah’s Rainbow.

Fast forward to 2021. Serah was 23, and we were living in Rogers, Arkansas, having moved there after partnering in a counseling clinic. During the pandemic, everything was virtual, and we decided to spend six months at a cottage we had bought on Dauphin Island, Alabama. We loved it there and eventually made the decision to move to the island permanently.

That year, I gave Serah my old Canon camera. She had only ever taken pictures with her iPhone, but once she started using the camera, she fell in love with photography, particularly birds and sunsets. She had a real eye for it.

In 2022, we bought a building in Mobile, Alabama, for our counseling practice. The building had offices on one side and a large, open space with great lighting on the other. As soon as we saw it, Mike and I had the same thought: this would be the perfect place for Serah’s Rainbow.

Serah knew the story of Serah’s Rainbow; I had told her many times. When we brought her to see the space, she was excited and said, “It will be my business!” We got to work, remodeling, painting, and setting up the space. On September 30, 2023, Serah’s Rainbow had its grand opening. Serah and I were interviewed on TV, and the story aired on over 12 metro stations. Close to 200 people attended, along with 10 other artists who joined the gallery. There were paintings, watercolors, mixed media pieces, and of course, Serah’s photographs.

This September 2024 marks one year since the gallery opened. It has been an incredible journey representing people who deserve to be seen and respected in the art community. We’ve watched these artists grow in their talents and proudly share their work with the community. We are especially proud of Serah, who continues to be an ambassador for her gallery and is committed to welcoming others in the special needs community to share in her success.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that it’s never too late to follow a dream. As Serah said in her TV interview, “Never give up on your dreams.”

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