Welcome to Painted Beauty
Painted Beauty is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by artist and former special education teacher Nicole Ormsby. Our mission is to create accessible, supportive opportunities for individuals with disabilities to experience uninhibited artistic expression.
We believe every artist deserves the freedom to discover and express their individual artistic voice—without being defined by disability, social expectations, or perceived limitations.
Why Painted Beauty?
Throughout my work in special education and art, I have seen how often people with disabilities are guided toward what others believe they should be able to do. Painted Beauty grew from a desire to create something different: a place where artists are given the space, materials, adaptations, and encouragement to show us what they have inside them.
The goal is not to make every piece look the same or direct artists toward a predetermined result. The goal is freedom, discovery, confidence, joy, and authentic self-expression.
Our Vision for the Studio
Painted Beauty is working toward an enjoyable, comfortable, fully accessible art studio that may include:
Adaptable seated and standing workstations
Accessible art tools and brushes
Non-toxic acrylic paints and drawing materials
Storage for artwork in progress
Accessible sinks and restrooms
Open studio sessions
Classes taught by local artists
A small gallery celebrating participating artists
*Painted Beauty will not operate as a drop-off care facility. Participants who require personal assistance will attend with a family member, caregiver, or support professional.
Looking Ahead
Our first priority is establishing an accessible art studio that responds to the needs of the community. As Painted Beauty grows, we hope to expand programs, partnerships, gallery opportunities, and eventually create additional locations or a larger inclusive art campus.
Meet the Founder
Hi, I’m Nicole Ormsby, an artist, muralist, and former special education teacher based in Kure Beach, North Carolina. My interest in art and supporting special needs individuals reaches way back to my young years before the chaos of life took hold. Before re-focusing more fully on my art in recent years, I worked as a special education teacher. That experience reinforced my love and need to assist in the
special needs community. The teaching experience was enlightening, but not quite the right fit. More recently the realization of where these two pillars of my life intersect helped develop the idea to establish Painted Beauty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to art without barriers. I’m excited to share and live out my vision with those around me with the need for this colorful space to grow and excel as the individuals they are. Let’s create!
-Nicole Ormsby