Arts as Healing is a charitable organization aimed at helping people battling cancer and chronic illness.
ST. LOUIS — The gift of creativity can be healing.
Arts As Healing is a nonprofit whose mission is to bring therapeutic benefits of art touched by cancer and other chronic illnesses. The organization was recently featured on Today in St. Louis as a morning moment after the organization held its annual gala and honored St. Louis entrepreneur and founder of Build-A-Bear Maxine Clark.
Here are 5 things to know about Arts As Healing:
It is an organization with a mission:
Arts As Healing is a St. Louis-based 501(c)3 that offers cancer patients and their caregivers an opportunity for creative expression and fulfillment by providing free art lessons and a variety of other artistic educational activities.
How it helps people:
The group provides a creative outlet for cancer patients, their loved ones, and those who care for them in closed-session studio classes and at cancer treatment centers. The studio sessions give patients a chance to explore a new way to communicate their inner thoughts. Often, patients find a joyous release for untapped artistic expression and relief from focusing on an illness.
It’s helped a lot of people get through tough times:
The organization now serves 300 zip codes across the area, and it works in 8 infusion or cancer centers. The organization was founded by Vicky Friedman, who is also a cancer survivor.
You can buy some of the art:
The group raffles off some of the most amazing art through a raffle. Some items are paintings or mixed media. Handmade jewelry is also for sale at the organization’s annual gala.
Here’s how can support their work:
You can help participate in classes or volunteer. You can also ask Arts as Healing to come to your hospital.