Healing Arts

The Healing Arts Program provides a nurturing environment for creative expression. Music groups, writing workshops, open studio, yoga, mindfulness, and experiential learning field trips are all a part of this program. Every April, SPY youth artists create and produce an art show and music showcase. This is part of our growing Social Enterprise Program in which 70% of all art sales go directly to the artist and 30% returns to the Healing Arts Program. You can invest in our youth art by visiting The Color of Hope Collective website. Continue reading to learn more about what we offer on-site.

This incredible program at SPY gives youth a safe environment for exploration. Youth experiencing homelessness from a wide variety of traumatic backgrounds, and when given the chance to create art and express themselves in a safe, supported and judgment-free space, they have the opportunity to heal from trauma they may be carrying with them. Art allows our young people the opportunity to recognize feelings, connect to their identity, build self-esteem, develop self-management and improve impulse control, identify and label feelings, increase attention to detail, and improve and learn about decision-making. Creative self-expression is a core component to an individual's social and mental health, both because of the skills that are learned, and the healing that takes place. 

The Art Studio is open 3 days a week during Access Center hours, offering an open studio setup, that includes supplies for painting, drawing, clay, and many other mediums. Dependent on the generous donations of supplies that come from private members of the community and local businesses, the Art Studio remains prepared for any creative endeavor an individual might wish to pursue. Paintings and other projects line the white walls of the studio, featuring recent creations of anyone who wishes to hang their art for public display.

The Healing Arts program relies on volunteer facilitators from the community and local organizations to share their skills, talents, and expertise by leading skills-based workshops, therapeutic sessions, and experiential learning opportunities including painting, jewelry making, clay, creative writing, mixed media, and music and more. Experiential Learning opportunities include local museum trips, photography field trips, and the opportunity to participate in art shows and music performances.

Healing arts volunteers are asked to bring an idea or an artistic project to work on with members. The idea of these shifts it to create a culture of welcoming space for members to get involved in the arts.