Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia’s Post

It is so important to keep this exhibit in front of people in order to confront the opioid crisis and end the stigma of substance use disorder.. My “Art For Hope” exhibition is once again available. It just came down at the University of Wisconsin - Stout. Rather than ship the show back to my studio, I want to keep it working and ship it directly to a new location. I understand that universities, art centers, museums, and galleries usually have their schedules fully booked well in advance. However, there are instances when an unexpected opening occurs. I have also successfully displayed “Art For Hope” in unconventional locations either on campus or in temporary galleries, vacant retail spaces, university medical campus centers, warehouses, foyers, theaters and other unique spaces. It has been showcased in different formats on ten occasions. If you think about it, you just might come up with an alternative venue. Please feel free to forward this to anyone that you think might be interested now or in the future. PLEASE REPOST. More at www.williamstoehrart.com #survivors #victims #williamstoehrart #williamstoehr #addiction  #spacegallerydenver #expressionism #dengallerykw #neuroaesthetics  #alcoholism #victims #witnesses #nida #nationalinstituteondrugabuse  #abstractportraits #USAOart #cudenverart #fulginitipavilian  #nesbittgallery #foothillsartcenter#opioidcrisis #opioidaddiction  #addictionrecovery#addiction #alcoholism #FurlongGallery #UWStout #substanceabuse #tenetpodcast#LivingUndeterred  #CPDD #ConferenceonProblemsofDrugDependence #AddictionAffliction

Art therapy from Art Therapy Force for "Culture Helps / Культура допомагає"! Many projects that were supported in previous "Culture Helps / Культура допомагає" calls included art therapy practices. In the third call for project grants, we are launching a mentoring program from art therapists from the Art Therapy Force project. They will hold a series of lectures on art therapy methods and its application in work: we will talk about a trauma-informed approach in social and artistic projects, impact assessment of art therapy projects and social reintegration. We are planning 5 meetings that will take place every Wednesday at 4:00 PM Kyiv time. The second lecture, "Trauma-Informed Approaches in Social and Art Projects" by Nigel Osborne, will be held this Wednesday, May 29. We invite absolutely everyone to the lectures: if you plan to apply for project grants within "Culture Helps / Культура допомагає", or if you want to learn how to start applying art therapy at work. Registration via the link: https://lnkd.in/dqmdbNpE See you! ___ “Culture Helps / Культура допомагає” is a project co-funded by the European Union under a dedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced people and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors. The project is a cooperation between Insha Osvita (UA) and zusa(DE).

A study suggests Community Art Therapy (CAT) should be taught as a separate topic in art therapy programs and further supports the importance of community models in art therapy education and practice. https://lnkd.in/ehvpKXrG #communityart #arttherapystudents

"In the last two decades, a growing body of evidence supporting the connection between museums and health has emerged, particularly demonstrating the role of #artprogrammes in supporting #mentalhealth (Chatterjee and Camic, 2015). However, alongside the role of programs offered by museum institutions, it is interesting to explore how the #museum environment, including its physical space, can impact the well-being of individuals. Which tangible and intangible spatial characteristics should museums consider to embrace a new idea of accessibility related to societal well-being? And ultimately which intersectoral strategies should they pursue to become key actors in #socialandhealthpolicies? It is not coincidental that innovative experiences investigating the influence of cultural spaces on mental health emerged simultaneously with or following the pandemic. The #covid19pandemic had a profound impact redefining the relationship between museums and audiences, highlighting the vulnerability of this relationship."

Art therapy is a form of emotional support. It can be helpful to people who are in challenging situations. It involves using visual art materials with a trained art therapist. Together you create pictures or objects that have personal meanings. It may help release bottled-up emotions and give new understanding and perspectives. Art therapy can be used for people who suffer from the following: -chronic or life-limiting illnesses, including cancer -mental health problems -relationship problems -eating disorders -learning disabilities Why people with cancer use it: Art therapy is a way to communicate. It helps with exploring confused or difficult thoughts and feelings. It can encourage positive emotions too. People enjoy the control and expressive qualities of making art. Sharing experiences with a trained art therapist is supportive. It is also a way to connect with people in similar situations.

Where is the best place to hit your 10k steps for the day? It's not walking up and down your house or your neighbourhood block. It's- just walk around a museum! It is a great way to stimulate your mind and also reach your physical health goals for the day. Let me explain - 1. Observing art stimulates multiple neural regions. Especially the ones responsible for cognitive function, creative thinking and problem solving in the brain. 2. Gazing at slow art effectively trains our visual systems to be more alert to details we might otherwise ignore. It make you more focussed and vigilant. 3. Viewing art exercises our gut intuition, opinion making and introspective thought. 4. Most importantly, gazing at art is scientifically proved to reduce stress! When you are receiving such valuable health benefits, mentally and physically, why on Earth would you not spend your free time strolling through a museum? So the next time are you visiting your nearest museum? Tell me below!

I am happy to share a new article I wrote about how art can benefit our brains. I was lucky enough to interview a registered art therapist to gain insight on the therapeutic benefits of art. Hope you enjoy! #arttherapy #mentalhealth #brainresearch

Lots of people with autism find museums too loud, bright, and crowded. Did you know that's true for 7 out of 10 autistic adults? But guess what? There's a hidden gem waiting to be discovered: contemporary art museums! Unlike those big, old museums, these places are more like playgrounds for your imagination. Think calming spaces, quiet corners to escape the noise, and even fidget toys to help you feel comfy. But it gets even better! Modern art is all about how we see and understand the world. This can be especially interesting for people with autism who might see things a little differently. Museums become a safe space to explore these ideas with your eyes, not feeling pressured to talk or act a certain way. Here's why contemporary art museums can be your happy place: - Modern art lets you get hands-on with cool exhibits. There might be things to touch, sounds to hear, and even things to build! - Not all art looks the same, and that's awesome! Modern art is super diverse, so you're sure to find something that speaks to you and how you see the world. - Some modern art might seem "different," just like you might experience the world differently. Museums become a bridge, showing you that different is okay, and even cool!  What kind of modern art do you think you'd enjoy the most? #AutismFriendlyMuseums #ArtForEveryone

Paraphrasing #AntonioDamasio, uploading your mind to #AI without bodily sensation is like having a recipe without ever tasting the dish. True experience requires the interplay of mind and body, a concept vividly illustrated by #neuroarts. This evidence-driven approach is transforming our understanding of how aesthetic experiences impact our brains, bodies, and behaviors. Neuroarts leverages enriched environments—like museums—to foster #neuroplasticity, enhance #wellbeing, and promote #mentalhealth. A mind stretched by new experiences never returns to its old dimensions, echoing Marian Diamond's discovery that enriched environments can significantly increase #brainmatter and #cognitivefunction. #Museums, with their capacity to arouse curiosity and evoke #awe and #wonder, are pivotal in creating these enriched environments. Initiatives like the NeuroArts Blueprint by Johns Hopkins University and the The Aspen Institute, the Brain Friendly Museum research in Milan, and startups like Particle.art highlight the importance of #embodied, #immersive, and #social #experiences in promoting a healthy life. By integrating arts into mainstream #healthcare, we can harness the #transformative power of neuroarts to improve lives. Engaging in artistic activities, even once a month, has been shown to lengthen lifespan and enhance mental health, underscoring the profound impact of aesthetic experiences. Read a related recent article by Susan Magsamen: https://lnkd.in/dKP2R6Gx Get in touch with Annalisa Banzi Ph.D. to support ongoing The Brain Friendly Museum research, Andrea Gaggioli at UCSC University, or contact Bruno Bolfo from Particle, or Christopher Schutte to create global immersive experiences in cultural institutions and exhibitions. #NeuroArts #Museums #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #Aesthetics #Neuroplasticity #EnrichedEnvironments #TransformativeDesign #EmbodiedConsciousness #ArtAndScience

Are you still thinking of activities to do this Easter weekend? Visit a local #museum! 🏛 This week's featured TMP #TopCited article (2022-2024) titled, "Impact of generativity on museum visitors' engagement, experience, and psychological well-being" shows the benefits of #museumvisits Three Key Things that #MuseumManagers should know about tourists’ psychology and behavior in museums: ✔Tourists' behavior in museums is strongly influenced by their concern for the next generation. ✔Museum visits enhance tourists’ psychological wellbeing. ✔Tourists’ engagement is an important component between their concern for the next generation and #psychological #wellbeing. This article is authored by Yulan Fan and Kenny Luo. ➡Link to the full article: https://lnkd.in/gw88Sc-J #HeritageTourism #CulturalTourism #MuseumManagement #TouristBehavior #TourismManagementPerspectives #TMPJournal #TMPMostCited