Art is one of the greatest things available when it comes to helping with trauma. The ability to express yourself with or to seek mental refuge during taxing and stressful times. An article titled, The Value of Art Expression in Trauma-Informed Work says, “(change)creative manifestation can become a visual voice that can help retrieve content from lower-functioning parts of the brain where traumatic experiences live without words”. Through art, you can increase a person’s mastery, coping, and quick recovery from stress responses. In more ways than one art will not only help give you an outlet/voice to express yourself while helping you build resilience with virtually no downsides besides time spent.
In Camden, art therapy often isn’t widely accessible and recreational art is dismissed as a pastime for the wealthy or uninformed. Compared to making music the number of people interested in art was significantly lower. As I’m getting older things are slowly changing, however. Schools are starting to incorporate more varied art programs such as music production and art history. My alma mater Collingswood Highschool has incorporated these into its curriculum in the last couple of years. Hopeworks Camden has started an Art Wellness program for their staff and participants as a part of being trauma-informed. Also, there’s starting to be access to programs and resources for independent artists such as grants, art programs in community centers, to commercial instances like painting with a twist are having an immense boost in popularity.
In conclusion, art is something that benefits you both spiritually and mentally. Having a method to express difficult emotions and discover new things about yourself is always welcome. Especially in low-income areas where it’s hard to feel like you have a voice and you aren’t just an amalgamation of your trauma. Exploring art is choosing to make your blend of influences that may seem haphazard, but when you take the time to put them on a pallet and paint your feelings you might realize you’ve been a masterpiece in the making