ARTreach introduces Expressive Arts, used as a tool for self discovery
ARTreach Expressive Arts Programs are aimed at stimulating creativity and improving social behavior.

What is Expressive Arts?

Expressive Arts is a relatively new practice in the mental health field. It uses the arts to help heal the mind, body, emotions and spirit. It also incorporates movement, writing, and the visual arts, such as painting, drawing, sculpture and collage, as well as sounds, drama and meditation.

Who can benefit from the Expressive Arts?

Every person can use Expressive Arts for self-discovery, healing and conflict resolution. Human beings have an innate capacity to be creative.  Expressive Art programs can benefit the elderly, youth in recovery, the homeless, refugees, veterans, and individuals living with cancer and other health issues.

Corporations can utilize the expressive arts for team building, brainstorming, problem solving, and more, in a wide range of business, professional and educational settings.

To be able to express yourself is a primary need of every human being, but it is also a challenging skill that determines the nature of the interactions an individual experiences in his or her society.  Expressive Arts workshops teach that art is a powerful, constructive and healthy form of self-expression. Participants learn that through art, they can express their feelings, as well as describe experiences and situations that might not be easily verbalized.

ARTreach introduces Expressive Arts, used as a tool for self discovery for youth and adults undergoing treatment for depression, anger management, addiction recovery, the elderly in assisted living, and special needs individuals, including children suffering from neurological differences.

The ability to express oneself through art is a source of hope in difficult times. It is true that making art about an experience from ordinary life can make that experience extraordinary. Also, negative experiences can have a positive side effect by providing the inspiration to create art.

In practice, Lorena Fernandez uses a combination of studio experience, sound, and movement to guide the participants into deeper layers of themselves and their emotions. There is open dialog during class and a gentle, safe atmosphere.  There is an emphasis on a non-judgmental, non-competitive and safe environment. In this environment, individual’s dreams, aspirations, revelations and insights are given proper respect by all workshop participants.

Basic Principals of Expressive Arts

• All people have an innate ability to be creative
• The creative process is healing
• Personal growth and increased awareness are achieved through self understanding and insight
• The expressive arts lead us into the unconscious mind, allowing  us to discover new facets of ourselves
• As we journey inward for self discovery, we also discover our connection to society and the world around us.