Wellness: Art for Healing

The Art of Healing

For all of the happiness we experience in life, we also have sadness. Be it from pain, stress, grief, abuse, depression, or fear, there is sometimes a place in our hearts that is empty and sad—a place that needs to be healed so that we can move forward.

Some people see a therapist, some take medication and some never truly heal. But others have found a first step in the healing process through the Art for Healing program.

The Art & Creativity for Healing program was developed by Laurie Zagon, an artist working in New York (now California). She expanded her skills and qualifications by becoming a university professor facilitating expressive art workshops for overworked Wall Street executives. Watching these executives lose themselves in the process and lose some of their stress by creating, Laurie knew that others could benefit from this process.

The program does not provide art therapy, but facilitates the creative process; leaders do not interpret or diagnose participants or their issues.

Brunswick Arts Council sponsors Art for Healing classes, such as this pain ng class at Leland Cultural Arts Center. Other Art for Healing classes include crea ve wri ng, journaling, poetry, storytelling, and yoga.

By Jan Morgan-Swegle By Jan Morgan-Swegle

Brunswick County Healing

In Leland, Marybeth Livers, as Executive Director of the Brunswick Arts Council, sponsors the Art for Healing program.

“Art isn’t exclusive,” Livers says. “Everybody has some type of creative expression. This is a good program for so many people. People open up.

“We all have losses and trauma in our lives to varying degrees. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of program—movement, literary, music and visual arts—was often used in therapy settings. Our society is now shifting after several years of dealing with the ramifications of pandemic isolation…. The arts are

Photos courtesy Brunswick Arts Council

Pain ng photos by Pavel Danilyuk

An Art for Healing class at Leland Cultural Arts Center features drumming for crea ve expression. “We all have losses and trauma in our lives to varying degrees,” says Marybeth Livers, Execu ve Director of the Brunswick Arts Council, which sponsors the program. “The arts are becoming more accepted in mainstream culture as vehicles for self-healing and personal growth. They are a safe way and a personal path to expressing emo ons and finding our balance.”

becoming more accepted in mainstream culture as vehicles for self-healing and personal growth . They are a safe way and a personal path to expressing emotions and finding our balance.”

In addition to painting, Brunswick Arts Council participants can now enroll creative writing, journaling, poetry, storytelling, and yoga sessions. Classes are offered at Leland Cultural Arts Center or Founders or Westgate parks.

Telling a Story

Joan Leotta, local author, storyteller, and Art for Healing writing facilitator, says, “Through words you can explore the meaning of what happened that caused you trauma or pain. Writing allows you to integrate the elements of the past from the safe distance of time to help you start the healing process.”

People heal in different ways with different timelines, Leotta says. “Writing about a major or traumatic event, like the loss of a loved one, for example, and then dialoguing with others can help. But there is no one-size-fits-all for healing or how long healing might take.

“You don’t have to be a person who writes or journals on a regular basis to do this,” she says. “Just by putting your feelings on paper, you can help begin the healing process. There can be magic in words.”

A Vision for Vets

Tony Vivaldi is also familiar with the Art for Healing program. He’s the founder of the Save A Vet Now program and a successful local artist working in watercolors. Vivaldi has facilitated two painting modules for Save a Vet Now. says. “I‘ve partnered with Coastal Horizons to help that 60 percent of vets with suicidal thoughts who have made the decision to go it alone.” Vivaldi teaches Introduction to Painting in three sessions. He demonstrates techniques and becoming familiar with the painting medium.

All Art for Healing classes are free and materials are provided. The program is helping all kinds of people take that first step out of the mist of dark, negative emotions and into the light of help.

The Brunswick Arts Council will sponsor another Arts for Healing session later this year. Check their website at www.brunswickartscouncil.org for more information. If you are a veteran interested in one of Vivaldi’s classes, go to www.saveavetnow.org.