BREAKING: The Coral Springs Museum of Art is launching an urgent Art Therapy program specifically for veterans and teens, starting this Friday, December 5, 2023. This initiative aims to provide crucial emotional support and stress relief through creative expression, running through March 20, 2026.
Facilitated by Board Certified Art Therapist Alicia Ballestas, these sessions will occur twice a month for veterans at no cost, and monthly for teens with a nominal $5 fee. The museum emphasizes the healing power of art as a vital outlet for those facing life’s challenges. Ballestas explains, “While a mental health therapist will use words with a patient to express thoughts and emotions, here we are using the process of making art.”
The sessions kick off with a casual check-in: “How are you feeling?” followed by activities tailored to each participant’s emotional landscape. From drawing meditations to breathing exercises, this program is designed to foster both creativity and community among attendees.
Juliana Forero, Museum Director, expressed her pride in this initiative, stating, “The simple act of looking at art has been proven to support health and emotional wellbeing.” With such a strong focus on mental wellness, the Coral Springs Museum of Art is positioning itself as a haven for creative therapy.
Upcoming sessions for veterans are set for the first and third Fridays of each month, running from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Key dates include December 5, December 19, January 2, January 16, February 6, and February 20. For teens, sessions will be held on the third Friday of each month from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Upcoming dates are December 19, January 16, February 20, and March 20.
Participants are encouraged to register through the museum’s website, where full details are available. This initiative not only promises to support mental health but also aims to instill a greater sense of creativity and presence in participants’ lives.
The Coral Springs Museum of Art is breaking new ground in community wellness through art, reinforcing the vital connection between creativity and emotional health. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative experience!
