Celebrating Neurodiversity Art Showcase Highlights Student Creativity at UST

University of St. Thomas (UST) welcomed students, families and community partners to Link Lee Mansion for this year's "Celebrating Neurodiversity Art Showcase" on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. It was an evening dedicated to honoring the artistic talent of neurodiverse students.

Presented by the UST Office of Access and Disability Services in partnership with the Houston Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (HBIDA), the annual event featured original student artwork, artist reflections and a limited-edition Celebrating Neurodiversity art book showcasing student pieces. This year's theme, "Art Speaks Louder," showed the powerful ways art can express identity, perspective and lived experience.

"It is an honor to join my HBIDA team in showcasing the creativity and artistic achievements of students across Houston while collaborating with UST to bring our community together for a meaningful and joyful celebration benefiting the Houston Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (HBIDA)," said Mallary Lattanze, president of HBIDA. "This is a night I always look forward to and one I leave feeling inspired and full of gratitude."

The showcase marked the fourth year of collaboration between UST and HBIDA. During the years, the event has grown into a signature gathering that celebrates neurodiversity while also supporting advocacy, education and outreach efforts across the Houston community.

This year's honoree was Suz Hall, a longtime advocate and leader in dyslexia intervention. In her remarks during the event, Hall emphasized the importance of recognizing the strengths of neurodiverse individuals.

"Isn't this art amazing," Hall said. "This is such an important fundraiser, and what a great idea to connect this to the creative minds of our neurodiverse population! I think that we all have a little neurodiversity in ourselves. Tonight, I urge you to reach down deep, find your natural curiosity and innovative spirit, and nurture them, so that you can continue to nurture and appreciate the neurodiverse individuals in your life."

Hall also reflected on the joy she finds in her work and the people who continue to inspire her.

"Someone once said that if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life - that's how I feel about the work I do," she said. "It is my passion - it brings me so much joy and pleasure that it doesn't feel like work at all."

Angie Maxey, MLA '05, assistant dean of students and director of Access and Disability Services at UST, said the event has exceeded her expectations.

"When the Celebrating Neurodiversity Art Showcase was first envisioned in 2020, it was meant to create a space for our community to come together following the pandemic," Maxey said. "I could not have anticipated how that initial idea would grow into such a meaningful and beautiful celebration."

Maxey was also recognized during the event with the 2025 Carole Wills Volunteer Award for her service to HBIDA.

"The event has become something I genuinely look forward to each year," she said. "This year, I was truly surprised and deeply honored to be recognized with the Carole Wills Volunteer Award, and I am grateful to HBIDA and to the many partners and volunteers who make this work possible."

At its heart, the showcase remained focused on students - their voices, creativity and willingness to share their gifts with the community. Through vibrant artwork and thoughtful reflections, student artists invited attendees to see the world through their eyes and to celebrate neurodiversity as a source of beauty, innovation and strength.

To learn more about the annual event, visit celebratingneurodiversity.org.