- Share This Post
- submit
- 0
-
Sparkle (0)
Art can be a balm to soothe the heart, soul and mind. Both viewing and creating art can affect the physical body in a way that can bring about mental and emotional healing.
Have you ever found your self transfixed by a photograph, moved to tears by a painting, or reduced to a fit of giggles by a particularly good visual pun?
Writer Shirfa Stein, in an article titled "The Healing Power of Art," reports:
I have read that hormones and neurotransmitters play a big role in brain wave patterns. And there are studies that show that art and music affect the autonomic nervous system in a positive way.
Zenmomma illustrates a post about self care with a series of photos and cartoons.
You can read more about the connection between the arts and health at Cheryl McLean's blog Arts and Health "Crossing Borders."
You can find opportunities to witness or participate in arts events with the goal of improving emotional well being.
Gark at Popular Progressive is seeking help for an artist friend to help get him from Iowa City to Rhode Island so he can attend an exhibit of his own artwork:
John Paul Hornbeck has created a sculpture called "Shattered Soldier" that depicts the mental and physical cost of war to soldiers. John Paul is a veteran himself, and is a dedicated activist, doing peer counseling for returning vets and organizing the Iowa City chapter of Iraq Vets against the War. "Shattered Soldier" has been selected to be in an exhibit opening in Rhode Island called "Experiencing the War in Iraq." The aim of the exhibition is to give a human face to the complex conflict in Iraq, to bring together diverse expressions of individual experience and to reconnect those who have unconsciously cocooned themselves from the grim reality of the war.
...There was something very psychological during the production of this piece, as I ground the metal, the hot sparks hissed as they licked cold sweat, it was very calming, even when slivers of hot metal shot like shrapnel, it stuck to hair, not flesh. The sculpture itself was created to be a memorial for those who died by what most do not consider an honorable way for soldiers to die – suicide. For the people who I know and have known about who took this path, it always raises the question, should I have done more to intervene, had I known someone was having trouble coping from war. It is breaking the taboo of discussing suicide in addressing the mental health issues associated with them, that veterans face. Through awareness and dealing with these issues regarding their treatment we can really show them honor and support for what they went through.
Please visit War Art for Peace Sake to see John Paul Hornbeck's moving work and learn where you can make a donation to support his trip.
jenca at Pennsylvania Mental Health Issues shares an idea for a project brewing to put together a street festival focusing on mental health:
Gary Lester, executive director of Family Services of Warren County, plans to promote the awareness of mental health by putting the focus on healthy hobbies. His plan involves having a event that resembles a street performer festival and would feature musicians, jugglers,artists and dancers.... The idea of creating mental health through positive activity is unconventional. “This is a real idealistic concept,” said Lester.
"artfull is a national programme established to develop, promote and map the arts and the role they play in improving the mental health and wellbeing of people living in Scotland." At the artfull website you can see examples of their projects or peruse their reading room for more information about art and well being.
The Art Therapy Blog shares the story of Lee, an indigenous Australian woman who established an art therapy program for women of the stolen generation of Aboriginal children:
Lee was adopted when she was 2 weeks old, removed from her original family and home, only to be raped when she was 15. About a year later, still confused and frightened after being estranged from her foster family, she adopted her own baby. Since then she has returned to her home country with a passion towards the healing and recognition of pain due to separation from one’s culture and family.
Julie Harbin is a journalist and expat currently living in Lebanon from where she shares a story of her learning the power of art therapy along with her daughter:
“Won’t
