Donate

The Art and Stories Shared Through Campaign #ArtHeals

Oct 22, 2025 | Blog, Art Heals

By our Campaign Coordinator Iris and the Athena Social Media Team

About Iris

Iris graduated from the University of Denver in June 2025, earning her BA in Political Science with minors in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies and Leadership Studies. She has a passion for social justice, activism, and community organizing, which she has brought to her work at Athena Project. Since she joined the Athena team two and a half years ago, Iris has focused on expanding Athena’s #ReproductiveJustice campaign, which centers artists fighting for reproductive rights. She has continued to prioritize the values of equity and justice as a part of the #ArtHeals campaign team, working to amplify the voices of people with invisible disabilities.
Q

⚠️ Trigger Warning: SA

This blog post features some art and stories of overcoming by survivors of sexual violence. If this topic feels distressing or triggering, please take care of yourself. Support is available through The Blue Bench via their 24/7 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline at 303-322-7273 or via online chat at thebluebench.org

Art as Visibility: Celebrating the Creative Voices of Athena’s 2025 #ArtHeals Campaign Centering Invisible Disabilities

Image of sunflower with text below reading, Not all disabilities are visible. Followed by #ArtHeals

Art illuminates. For the 2025 #ArtHeals campaign, we invited people with invisible disabilities and their allies to share how art and artistic expression have helped them navigate the unseen layers of their lives—and the response was deeply moving. From poems that reflect unnoticed struggles to video testimonials, visual art, songwriting, cartoon art and photography, these submissions reveal how creativity can be both a lifeline and an amplifier. As invisible disabilities often go unseen, it is essential to center the voices of affected people and create spaces of visibility and accessibility.

This post celebrates the artists at the heart of Campaign #ArtHeals. We are beyond grateful to all of the community members who brought this campaign to life by sharing their stories and voices. We are featuring these art pieces and stories in the order in which we received them. Please make sure you scroll down all the way to the precious local and online therapeutic offerings.

At Athena, we recognize art as a powerful tool in building community and fostering healing. Going forward, we will continue to amplify new #ArtHeals submissions—and we invite YOU to tell your story! If you wish to share your experiences, whether related to invisible disabilities or another subject that embodies healing through the arts, you can do so using this form. We will share the stories that we receive on our social media platforms over time. If you prefer that we share your story anonymously, let us know on the submission form.

Looking for more opportunities to plug into #ArtHeals? You can support the campaign by:

The Art of #ArtHeals

“Taking Chances” by Jordan Yewey – on Instagram @jordanyeweymusic

Listen to “Taking Chances”!

A photo of a young, white, female singer with long-blonde hair voicing into an old-fashioned metal microphone. Her facial expression is joyful.
“I was 17 when I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy. Looking back there were so many signs. The uncontrollable sleepiness, the constant napping, the loss of muscle control every time I laughed. Nonetheless, I had spent years living with it, it was my normal. As I’ve grown older, navigating the world with narcolepsy has only gotten harder. I recognize now how much it is intertwined in my very being & existence. People may see me get sleepy or fall asleep, but to most people outside of my innermost circle it is very much nonexistent … Invisible.

Music is much the same to me in the sense that it is second nature. I have been writing songs for as long as I can remember. It got me through so much. My parents’ messy divorce, feeling alienated & misunderstood, loss, my first heartbreak, & the growing pains of life. I could go on & on. I will forever be grateful for the gift of music & the healing it has brought to my life. I truly do not know who I would be without it. Crafting & creating songs brings me an inexplicable peace of mind & an exuberance I find nowhere else.

Having Narcolepsy might be difficult sometimes, but it has made me very intentional with my time & energy. It forces me to slow down, to observe the world & those around me through a very particular lens. I channel much of that into my songwriting, & in turn, my songwriting heals me spiritually, mentally, & I would argue even physically. There is a weird cyclical nature to how it works. I can’t fully explain it, but I know when I am creating, I am the healthiest, most healed, best version of myself.

Truth is we all carry invisible things with us. They come in different shapes & forms, bearing varying weight upon us, but it’s simply impossible to know exactly what every single person is going through. But I truly feel it is in those invisibilities that the most beautiful art is created. It gives us each our own unique perspective & through creating & sharing art we can make the invisible not only visible, but beautiful.”
Much gratitude to Jordan Yewey from Littleton, CO, for sharing her powerful story and recording. Discover more of her work on her website, on Spotify, and by following her on Instagram.

“Opening Tuning” and “Interplay” by Pamela Nocerino – on Instagram @pamela_nocerino

In this painting, two golden-brown guitars rest on the floor, each supported by a stand. The guitar on the left transforms reality—its neck is not wood but a woman’s neck, her head gently tilted backward, long dark hair cascading down. From the body of this guitar, arms and hands emerge, reaching upward in a graceful, peaceful, and celebratory gesture.
“Like many, my childhood was peppered with people experiencing visible and invisible struggles. I learned how to navigate my interactions with them and the spaces around them to convey a sense of safety for both of us.
Poetry, art, music, and theater have always been my pathways to feeling safe. Artistic advocates like Athena Project and Phamaly Theater Company have deepened my understanding of the rich diversity within identity and ability. And then menopause gave me first-hand experience with profound mental health challenges.
My poems, plays, and songs intentionally strive to honor a variety of perspectives, to create connection and emotional safety, and to celebrate the brave art of an authentic life.”
Pamela Nocerino is one of the most prolific artists in the Athena family—across artforms and often contributing to our local events and programs. Pam has modelled allyship for those living with disabilities in many ways over the years, especially as a teaching artist and constant supporter of our summer camps for Athena youth.
This collage features crimson paper scraps scattered across the bottom left. Among them nestle paper flower petals and drawings of clock faces, as well as real metal rings. From this arrangement emerges a cartoon drawing of a nude woman who covers half her face with a theatrical mask, and whose hair is made of tufty charcoal-colored wool.

“Empathy is No Accident” by Pamela Nocerino – on Instagram @pamela_nocerino

Listen to “Empathy is No Accident”!

Empathy is No Accident

“My days are dented
by expectation and misunderstanding.
Please assume the unknown
in my ordinary reachings
because it takes
so much
sometimes
just to show up.


I don’t always have
a best effort.


Oh, how I prefer to make eye contact with the sky,
to sigh with a weeping oak,
and answer a howl with attention.


Please lavish me with patience
as I reach back
across the unseen
to honor what I might not know
about you.”

“Words have always been my mistress, my escape, my rescue. At first, reading fiction provided windows into new worlds far from my childhood disconnect and trauma. Then I was obsessed with lyrics written on album inserts by singer-songwriters. I began collecting my favorite lines and keeping a journal of them.

On days when my young heart crumbled, I’d reread those lines until the warm breath of inspiration dried my tears. Then I found Robert Frost, Mary Oliver, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Stephen Sondheim, Maya Angelou, and Dan Fogelberg as my first gateway poets. My collection of brilliant lines multiplied.

Soon I was rearranging the lines to make found poems of my own. Inspired by Carole King’s Tapestry album, I began writing songs. A new journal was started of lines and I became a poet—a secret poet who never showed anyone my words.

In the lockdown of 2020, my childhood secrecy ended, and I submitted poems into the world. Why not? I thought. Four years later, several individual poems have been published by various journals, and my first chapbook was recently accepted.

Reading poetry has been a daily habit since I was 10 years old. I write one for every 300-500 I read. The writing comes when I need healing. I write to express or understand strong feelings. Even when the poems are shiny shit (as one coach called my early efforts), the healing happens. I save the better ones and crumple the others, honor the truths within them all, and go back to reading.”

Much gratitude to artist Pamela Nocerino from Erie, Colorado, for sharing this poem in addition to her visual art featured above. We are excited to highlight her debut poetry collection, Palace of Waning, published in October 2025 by Finishing Line Press and available at https://bit.ly/466qZ3T. It explores the personal and universal search for a feeling of home through themes of place, loss, and self. Check out more of Pamela’s work at pamelanocerino.com or on Instagram.

“Mornings for Me” by Jenny Footle – on Instagram @beautiful.feet.wellness

Mornings for Me

“Waking up to gentle tones
Too soft to wake anyone else
Sitting up and instantly being reminded
That I hold my stress and trauma in my hips


Thankful not in my back
At least not today


Faced with the same decision as yesterday:
Do I get up or lay back down?
The promise of warmth beacons me back
But knowing my body will be lost if we don’t get up and move coaxes me out
I listen to my body these days
It gets priority


My mind drove us for too long,
Too hard, too fast, too crazy


The burst of mint wakes me up as I brush my teeth
The blinding lights in the bathroom so I can get my contacts in after I stop cringing
The grip of my yoga mat as my feet find their circulation


And no one cares,
No one is bothering me,
Waiting for me
I’m present,
It’s perfect,
My peace.”

Book cover for a poetry collection titled RAILROAD, featuring train tracks stretching into a sunset-lit horizon with purple skies, grassy fields, and distant hills; evokes themes of journey, solitude, and reflection

“I’ve always loved using poetry because living with an invisible disability, I often lack the language to express my experience in a way that would not be dismissed. We can say how we feel and we can try to articulate our experience within the confines of an “ableist” understanding of the world, but poetry opens up a whole new world where no one can argue with your lines, your art, your life.”

A huge thank you to Jenny Footle for sharing her poetry. Read two further arresting poems here and check out her collection “Railroad”. Visit beautifulfeetwellness.org or follow them on Instagram to learn more about the work Jenny is doing with Beautiful Feet Wellness, an organization which she founded to support survivors.

“Chocolate Chili” by Melissa Ivey – on Instagram @melissa_iveymusic

Check out the music video for “Chocolate Chili”!

Image shows a still of Melissa Ivey playing the double bass and singing into a microphone. The still comes from Melissa's music video for their song, "Chocolate Chili."

“In 2016, I was working in California when, without warning, I inexplicably lost my voice, my most creative tool. I could not speak. I could not sing.

My world was rocked beyond anything imaginable, so I returned home to Colorado to begin the process of healing from an ailment that had doctors baffled.

Using tools I learned throughout my time as a yogini, and armed with the help, care, and love of my community, my voice returned a few months later. Stronger than ever.

Out of that triumph, this song was born . . .”

We are so grateful to Melissa Ivey, a Colorado-based artist and regular Athena performer, for sharing their story and music with us. Discover more of Melissa’s work at MelissaIvey.com and follow her on Instagram. You can also learn more about their story of healing in this video interview.

“The Feast” by Shada – on Instagram @nocturnalveilart

“As a disabled spoonie mixed-media illustrator and artist, who struggles daily with multiple chronic illnesses, every day provides new challenges and adjustments, and I find myself leaning into my art and writing practices as a way to empower myself, process complex emotions, regulate my nervous system and breathing, and provide an outlet for my physical pain.

Through the power of paper and various mediums over the past 3 years, I have found a way to express these invisible disabilities, struggles both mental and physical, and celebrate the triumphs I have had. The plants and animals, as well as the dark moon-lit skies, offer many layers and interpretations of these struggles and triumphs. Each one is a unique story of the complexity of being a spoonie of multiple chronic illnesses in that moment.

Watercolor, pen, graphite, and colored pencil artwork of a white wolf pack resting in a field of poppy flowers. Skeletons can be seen throughout the field.

I am so grateful for these practices because I have gained a community, both online and in person, of like-minded individuals where we can empower, uplift, hold space for, grieve together, and more. I have been personally thanked on many occasions for being a light for fellow disabled spoonies, and I take that with pride, knowing that sharing my experiences firsthand helps others.

This artwork symbolizes the necessity of community, my pain and struggles are represented in the flowers and skeletons, and the complexity of multiple chronic illnesses.”

Thank you to Shada from St. Louis, Missouri, for sharing her story and this powerful piece of art. You can check out more of Shada’s work at Nocturnal Veil Art and discover her inspiring “spoonie artist blog” here.

Photograph from the “When It’s You Project” by Savanna Goodman – on Instagram @alternateaspect

A woman sits in a wheelchair, visibly distressed, with her hand pressed to her forehead. Red ink on her body lists invisible medical conditions including “CHRONIC ILLNESS,” “MIGRAINES,” “ENDO,” “DEPRESSION,” “SEIZURES,” and “NARCOLEPSY.” Prescription pill bottles are scattered on the floor beside her. Soft natural light filters through a sheer curtain behind her. Text on the image reads “Disabled Artists, Not Disposable Talent,” “ATHENA PROJECT,” “#ArtHeals,” and “not all disabilities are visible,” accompanied by a sunflower graphic.
Much gratitude to Colorado-based photographer Savanna Goodman for allowing us to amplify this impactful photograph, which highlights the lack of healthcare support for people with invisible disabilities. You can check out more of Savanna’s photography work at alternateaspect.com and on Instagram.
Make sure you discover the “When It’s You Project”—her conceptual photography series using symbolic visual metaphors to confront cultural biases—in its entirety at whenitsyou.com

“I Don’t Mean to Bite (My Body’s A Bitch Version)” by Bailey Elora – on Instagram @baileyelora

Check out the music video for “I Don’t Mean to Bite”!

A stylized, color-inverted close-up of a person’s mouth and hand with decorated fingernails; teal and dark blue tones dominate. The person’s fingers are pulling their mouth open with an expression of pain or anger—or both. The words say “Bailey Elora. I Don’t Mean to Bite.”

“My health has never been something I liked to focus on, because I didn’t want it to be the only thing people would associate me with. But over the years, I realized that the people who really care wouldn’t do that. I was also doing myself a disservice, not talking about something that is a big part of who I am.

This song has been such a wonderful thing, from writing, to recording, to performing . . . It’s been incredible. I’ve had so many people tell me how much it means to them, and honestly, I don’t think you can ask for much more as an artist.”

We are so grateful to Bailey Elora, who has been bringing power vocals and community spirit to many Athena events, for sharing her new single, “I Don’t Mean to Bite (My Body’s A Bitch Version),” which manifests the struggle and miracle of creating while dealing with Type 1 diabetes and chronic pain. You can stream the single and check out more of Bailey’s work at linktr.ee/baileyelora and on Instagram.

“At the Crater’s Edge,” “Emerald Spring,” “Cathedral Rock Moonlight,” “Never Summer Vista,” and “Phantom Plume” by Diana Wright – on Instagram @dianawright_art

This oil painting by Diana Wright, "At the Crater's Edge," features an overlook in Crater Lake National Park. A blue sky fills the painting along with many trees full of vibrant greys, greens, and browns. Purple and grey mountains can be spotted in the background.
This oil painting by Diana Wright, "Emerald Spring," shows the geothermal hot spring in Yellowstone National Park that the piece is named after. Under a stunning, cloud-filled orange and blue sky sits a forest of green trees, whose reflection can be seen in the emerald spring.
This oil painting by Diana Wright, "Cathedral Rock Moonlight," features Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona. The glowing white moon illuminates a blue sky, under which sits the huge reddish-orange rock that the painting was named after.

“My path as an artist hasn’t been linear—I studied and worked as a software engineer for a decade before becoming a full-time painter. It took pushing myself too hard in directions that didn’t fit and a series of health crises to realize that I needed to make changes in my environment and in the way I process things.

I have an autoimmune condition and have lived with chronic pain since I was 19, which I believe was fueled by stress and shutting out my inner voice. Painting has been a way back to myself and a path toward healing—creating space to slow down and listen to my body’s signals, which I once ignored.

I still experience pain sometimes (and perhaps I always will), but now I see it as a reminder to take stock of how I’m feeling emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, and to change things that aren’t working. I’m not always perfect at it, but I’m building this muscle, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so.

The anchor I keep coming back to these days is that life is impermanent, and I want to spend my time in ways that feel fulfilling.
This oil painting by Diana Wright, "Never Summer Vista," features a view from the tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park of the Never Summer mountains. A cloudy blue sky overlooks large grey and purple mountains covered with snow. Under the mountains rests a forest of green trees. In the foreground of the painting there is a grassy area dotted with grey rocks and yellow flowers.
This oil painting by Diana Wright, "Phantom Plume," features Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. The white and grey steam of the geyser shoots up to the top of the painting, with a forest of green trees and a clear blue sky sitting behind it.

In my case, that means making more time for my art, spending time in nature, and with the people and animals I love. I think we become our best selves when we step into what’s made for us, and in doing so, can show up more for others.”

We want to express our gratitude for Boulder, Colorado-based artist Diana and her willingness to share this stunning collection of paintings. See more of Diana’s work at dianawright.art and on Instagram.

Play Recommendations from Tristan B Willis – on Instagram @tristanbwillis

Athena’s Read & Rant Playwright, Tristan B Willis, recommends two plays that demonstrate how art heals:
The image shows The Public Theater's Playbill for the play "Dark Disabled Stories." The title's all-caps letters appear in a bold, black font, with pink arrows appearing in the "A" in "Dark," the "D" in "Disabled," and the "R" in "Stories." All of the arrows point in a different direction. Behind the letters is a maze of bright pink lines.

“The play Dark Disabled Stories by Ryan J Haddad is meaningful to me. Ryan has been very clear that the play only reflects three people’s experiences of disability, but even in the specificity of their experiences I felt understood and held. I think it’s a great example of how accessibility can be intentionally woven into a piece, and it’s also got this killer line directed straight at the audience early on: ‘If you are sad or feeling pity, maybe leave.’

Another Kind of Silence by LM Fedman is a beautifully written play about love and how to change as we evolve as individuals and alongside others.

Dark Disabled Stories premiered off-Broadway in early 2023 and has since garnered critical acclaim, including three Obie Awards. Another Kind of Silence is a bilingual ensemble piece performed in English and American Sign Language. It was a finalist for the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference.”

Thank you to Tristan for sharing these play recommendations that exemplify healing through the arts and amplify people with disabilities. Tristan B Willis is a DC-based storyteller exploring queer narratives and experimental forms. See their inspiring work and news on Instagram.

Art and Poetry from Reverend Georgia Reash (⚠️Trigger Warning: SA)

Listen to “The Cosmic Chalice” read by Georgia Reash
Image of the poem, "The Cosmic Chalice," by Georgia Reash, To the right of the poem is the painting, "My Wonderous Yoni Cosmos" (August 2025), also by Georgia Reash. The painting features a border of vibrant colors (pink, green, yellow, and blue). In the center is an opening into space, with bright stars amidst a dark background, that mimics a vulva.

“The creative arts have been a connecting subtle web throughout my healing experience. Like the fascia that holds everything together in the body, painting, poetry, dance, and play-writing served to weave every insight and emotional release together as I grappled through depression, C-PTSD, the memories of sexual assault, divorce, Fibromyalgia, and poverty.

Creative expression outlets were the daily therapy I needed in order to survive turmoil, inside and out; not only did it ‘give voice’ to feelings that didn’t seem to have words—they became the external validation of my life experience, my strength, and my sense of self.
A lifelong poet, I was introduced to painting in 2002 and began to chronicle the inner adventure I was embarking on: transform my powerlessness and victimization into becoming the powerful woman I envisioned. Ultimately, painting vaginas and vulvas became a powerful tool for renewing my sensuality, which was damaged after trauma.
Against a pink background, a red, pink, and blue object that resembles the shape of a strawberry mimics the form of a vulva.
Against a black background is a triangular, pizza slice-shaped object, with red sauce and two green olives, one at the tip of the pizza slice and one at the top of it. The form of the pizza mimics the shape of a vulva.
For me, painting emerged as the way to support my inner healing and simultaneously celebrate every new ounce of resilience and strength being born within. From my first painting—“The Hidden Face of Violence”—to my most recent painting—“My Wonderous Yoni Cosmos”—the evolution of self-esteem and empowerment is a testimony to healing. Some 150 paintings later, and dozens of poems, creativity has emerged as both my spiritual and emotional roadmap, a subtle compass that always navigates me back to my authentic self.

My vagina and vulva art and poetry is an expression of the healing journey of recovering from sexual assault C-PTSD. My work is both colorful and playful, intended to give voice to the beauty and life force within all survivors, as well as provide insight into the trail of trauma left behind by assault.”

Much gratitude to Reverend Georgia Reash based in Akron, Ohio for sharing her powerful story and artwork. You can learn more about Georgia’s work at georgiareash.wixsite.com/website.
Against a colorful background of different red, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, and black shapes is a vulva-shaped opening peering into the night sky, which centers a yellow moon and a sprinkling of bright stars.

“Endometriosis,” “May Thurner Syndrome,” “Treatment Fatigue,” “Pain,” and “Referrals” by Julie Kitzes – on Instagram @juliekitzes

“I’ve had invisible health challenges since I was a young teenager, but they’ve continued to progress and get worse as I get older. Art has always been a coping mechanism to distract me from my symptoms, and eventually it became my career as I could no longer perform at a regular scheduled job. It affords me the flexibility to work on my own schedule and give myself whatever accommodations I require to get the job done.”

A huge thank you to Denver, Colorado-based artist Julie Kitzes for sharing her experience of living with invisible disabilities through so many powerful pieces of art. Find more of Julie’s work at juliekitzes.com and on Instagram.
A cartoonish illustration of a nude woman's torso with her face out of frame ripping open her abdomen/chest with her hands as a colony of rats scurry out.
An acrylic painting on a wooden heart shaped panel of a pelvic bone showing the veins and arteries of the pelvis, surrounded by flowers on a black background with a real syringe hanging from the bottom of the panel by a hook-screw.
A cartoonist illustration of a defeated person sitting on the floor in a hospital gown while on an IV is surrounded with iconography of healthcare as well as cockroaches.
A comic strip of a man being written off by doctors. The first three panels show different doctors telling him, "you're too young to have pain," as he progressively gets older and worse. The final panel where his hair is almost entirely grey has a speech bubble reading, "pain is just part of getting older."
A comic strip of a woman getting the runaround by doctors. Her primary refers her to a specialist. The specialist refers her to a different specialist. The different specialist says it's the wrong lead and refers her back to her primary. The primary is frustrated and says she needs to see a specialist. She explains the situation and asks what to do. He shrugs and suggests she kill herself.

“The Dinner Party” by Judy Chicago, Submitted by Sherrie Ahlin(⚠️Trigger Warning: SA)

The Dinner Table is a literal table which is a huge triangle with runners built on a white tile floor and takes up an entire room. "Plates" line the table. They are varied in color, sculpted, some high and ornate. They are named after famous women and appear to conjure the image of vaginas.

“I went to see an installation art exposition at the Brooklyn Museum in 1979 entitled “The Dinner Party.” Previously that year I had been raped. St. Vincent’s Hospital had just started a Rape Crisis Center that offered therapy and support groups. Once the bruises disappeared, my pain became invisible. Diagnosed with PTSD, I could not go out at night unaccompanied. Trapped from sundown.

A woman I met in group, raped repeatedly by her father throughout childhood, asked me to come with her to the Brooklyn Museum. Judy Chicago’s “The Dinner Party” boasted a plethora of plates around a triangular table. The plates were all different in color and texture and sported names of famous women. All the plates looked like flowers, but then, no, they were vaginas! I stepped back.
Survivors struggle with shame and ugliness. But the plates were proud. I looked at each one and left a little prouder.

Theatre is my field, and I went on to direct Vagina Monologues as a fund-raiser for a Rape Crisis Center in New Jersey and write the play, Right from Wrong, about four survivors. Healing is a process. Art helps.”

Thank you to Sherrie Ahlin from Tampa, Florida, for sharing her story and highlighting the importance of art in the process of healing. The installation referenced in Sherrie’s story is by Judy Chicago, can be found a the Brooklyn Museum, and is called “The Dinner Party.” You can read Sherrie’s play on the New Play Exchange.

“Injections” by Brianna Gouge

“During my time in college, before graduating in 2021, I found a therapeutic release in creating art about my invisible disease: Type 1 diabetes. During this time, there was a push to bring down the cost of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that my body can no longer produce due to my immune system attacking the insulin producing cells in my body. I require insulin every day and will require insulin every day for the rest of my life via injection.

The constant needle pokes, injections, and monitoring (without which I would die) is already traumatic enough without the constant stress of worrying about how to afford these life-saving treatments. Being able to express my emotions through art has been cathartic, and sharing my art has been therapeutic in teaching others about my invisible disease.”

A young girl sits on the edge of a bed with an insulin syringe about to inject into her leg. She is wearing a dark purple shirt, dark shorts, and a medic alert bracelet.

We are so grateful to artist Brianna Gouge based in Seguin, Texas, for sharing her story and art. You can learn more about Brianna’s work at briannagougeart.wixsite.com/website/.

“Art by Essence Mona’ – on Instagram at @artbyessencemonaa

A self-portrait of a Black woman features bold colors and texture. The woman's face is covered in spots of purple, yellow, red, blue, green, and brown.<br /> Show less
This piece of art features a cosmic night sky and the side-profile of a Black woman with a headwrap. The image showcases vibrant blues and purples, alongside lines of black and a sprinkling of yellow stars.
This image depicts the side-profile of a Black woman with curly, light blue hair that has spots of red, black, and yellow. Behind the person is a cosmic, space-like background with deep shades of black and blue, sprinkled with yellow dots that appear to represent stars.

“Living with Functional Neurological Disorder has deeply shaped both my perspective and my art. Even though I have physical limitations, I can transform it into freedom on a canvas.

Having FND is very unpredictable and complex. Art offers stability. Art speaks loudly through colors, movement, and texture. With these components, I capture not only the struggle, but hope, healing, and renewal. I want to remind others to embrace the imperfections and the journey.

I paint not only to heal myself, but also to connect with others facing invisible challenges. I hope to show that there is beauty and strength within vulnerability. I want my art to remind others that beauty can arise from struggle. That struggle can turn into growth.”

The background of the artwork shows a planet resembling Saturn, along with a space-like assortment of blues, purples, and black. In front of the planet is a Black woman with a green and blue headwrap and golden earrings.
The logo for the art of Essence Mona'. "ART" is spelled out in a bold, black font with all capital letters. There is a break in the middle of the letters with a line that reads, "BY ESSENCE MONA."
Essence Mona’ is an artist from Fairview Heights, IL, whose work reflects her journey with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), turning challenges into creative expression. Discover and shop her art, listen to her story on and on St. Louis Public Radio.

A Self-Portrait by FuMei Sorteberg – on Instagram at @fm_studio_of_art2023

Portrait of a person with long dark hair, wearing glasses and a green embroidered garment. Pink cherry blossoms are woven into her hair and appear on her clothing.

“Creating my art is very important to me because I can express my feelings and also communicate through my art and appreciate what I love doing in my lifetime as an artist. I also enjoy showing people what I do as an artist living with a disability. I always say that people with no art experience can still be a great artist, even if they don’t yet know how to express their feelings or how to create.

Just have fun doing it and no one will judge what you draw—you’re just creating art from your imagination.

The art piece is a self-portrait in the clothing of an ancient Chinese dynasty, because I love my culture. My name stands for plum flower, and I just thought why not show myself wearing a dynasty dress.”

We are so glad that FuMei, an artist based in Denver, CO, shared her story and work. You can see more of her art on Instagram and on her website.

Invisible Disabilities Humor by Gabby Gutierrez-Reed – on Instagram at @shishgabab

Watch Gabby’s video here

“Since sharing my health issues, I’ve had friends reach out and say they are going through something similar and have felt really isolated, so I figured why not keep sharing what’s going on. Hopefully it’ll make you feel less isolated. Grateful to have had the energy to make a lil vid. Okay, bye!”

Kudos to Gabby for being so open in sharing her story. Check out her freshly released debut album, Firecracker Comedy, featuring Gabby, Kate Strobel, and Salma Zaky, released by Blonde Medicine (available on your favorite streaming service), and follow her on Instagram.
The still image from a video shows Gabby waving to the camera. She wears glasses and an orange vest.

“Abby Normal,” A Musical by Sandra Cruze – on Instagram at @sandra_l_cruze

A person wears a shirt with the word "NORMAL," which is crossed out, along with a vibrant blue and green skirt and a colorful hat. In the background of the image is a brick wall featuring various artworks and what appears to be a hole that peers out into space. Beside the person is a purple side table, on top of which sits a soup can filled with flowers. Various cartoon-like toys and characters line the bottom of the image.

“My granddaughter Lucia has intractable epilepsy. Many people who have epilepsy are sequestered in their homes, isolated and lonely. Also because of the stigma around epilepsy those who have it, including Lucia, hide it.

I have written a musical: ABBY NORMAL. Abby wants to be normal, and she is willing to break the silence.

In my utter powerlessness watching my family struggle with this brain disorder, the lack of services for her and the misinformation around epilepsy, I did what I always do: I picked up the pen. Sharing a story so that we as human beings can connect to each other’s humanity is always my hope. Particularly in the present political landscape of this country.”

We are so grateful to the playwright Sandra Cruze from Los Angeles, California, for sharing her story of turning anguish into art with Campaign #ArtHeals. Find out more about her work at sandracruze.com, and read a passage from the musical Abby Normal here. Book and lyrics for this musical were written by Sandra Cruze and music composed by Raul Ferrando. We invite you to follow Sandra’s creative news on Instagram
The image features two people. One wears a t-shirt and jeans and holds a microphone, while being illuminated by a spotlight. The other looks at them with an intimidating face and wears a suit and top hat. Above this second figure is the word "SEIZURE" in all caps, red letters. There seems to be a confrontation between the two people in the image.

“Ocular Morphed Faces” and “Phoebe in Her Closet” by Fengar Gael

Surreal painting of swirling, colorful eye-like creatures with exaggerated features, set against a dark blue background dotted with glowing orbs.

“‘Ocular Morphed Faces’: This is how it often feels to have an acute ocular migraine that skews perceptions and looks at everyone in terms of their eyes.

‘Phoebe in Her Closet’: What it feels to be a latchkey child who is so afraid of being alone she hides in the closet until her parents return, and even the comfort of a closet is filled with nefarious imagined creatures.”

We are grateful to Fengar Gael from Southern California for sharing these two arresting art pieces with Campaign #ArtHeals. They make visible internal experiences that might be transitory for some and chronic for others. Together with Fengar, we celebrate the transformatory power of art, which allows us to express, connect, and hopefully even overcome. Discover more of her art at fengar.com. The website contains copies of all of her work, which she freely shares and allows for anyone to copy and download.

Surreal painting of a crouched figure in a narrow corridor, wide-eyed and tense, surrounded by vivid, monstrous forms and a cosmic ceiling above.

“Healing Journey Intuitive Art Journal Triptych” by Carrie MaKenna – on Instagram @artscarriemakenna

An image shows information about Georgia Reash's "The Total Sensuality Lifestyle." Text on the image reads, "Rekindling and Living the Excitement Within. Includes a reading of Georgia's, 'Yum Yum,' poem. What is Sensual Health? Why does a sensual life lead to an exciting life? When does trauma impact sensual vitality? How is sensuality distorted in our society? In what ways can we follow our excitement? A Monthly Free Gathering. FREE Sessions for Women and Men."

“Art-making has been an essential part of my life since childhood. I didn’t think of it as a healing practice until my late 20s. Since then all my art-making has an element of healing involved regardless of subject matter, style or materials.

I make artwork to remind people of their interconnection with nature, the universe, and each other.
My specific healing journey manifested in my intuitive art journal when I discovered at age 45 that the piercing pain in my lower back I had endured for years was due to a significant scoliosis curve in my spine.
For the next 10 years I embarked on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing journey that I also recorded in my intuitive art journal. These are just three entries that chronicle about six years.
I still live with the daily invisible pain that I don’t talk about. But the artwork shows its presence. At 65 now, I let it be part of my life and take care of it, so that I can keep making artwork.

This triptych from my intuitive visual art journaling practice shows just a few stages of my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing journey of coming to terms with the constant pain of scoliosis in my lower back that covers about six years. They are oil pastel on paper, in 14×11” wire bound art sketch books. They show the initial shock of learning I had scoliosis, delving into the physical pain, then learning some techniques to manage the constant pain on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual basis.”

Much gratitude to Carrie MaKenna from Denver, CO, for sharing her healing journey through art. She is the Co-Founder of D’art Gallery as well as the Founder and President of the Colorado Women’s Art Museum. Discover more of her vibrant work at artscarriemakenna.com, and follow her on Instagram.

The Therapeutic Offerings of #ArtHeals

Beautiful Feet Wellness, Founded by Jenny Footle – on Instagram @beautiful.feet.wellness

A photograph shows three people dancing. The dancer in the middle strikes an elegant pose while the other two dancers, one on either side of the first dancer, lie on the floor in poses of their own.
Beautiful Feet Wellness offers yoga, poetry, storytelling, and dance workshops for free to people in recovery and to those who’ve experienced the sex trade or human trafficking. You can learn more about the services they provide at beautifulfeetwellness.org
Thank you to Jenny Footle, founder of Beautiful Feet Wellness, for offering this resource and space of support.

Four Therapeutic Offerings from Melissa Ivey

“I am a community builder, and I host monthly offerings: BIPOC open mic every second Thursday of the month at Manos Sagrados, 6:30-10:00 PM. Free for all ages: bodiesofculture.co/about-us-1

I also offer a closing of the bones ceremony monthly for folks who need a sacred place to heal and be held while they rebirth their next chapter of thriving: MelissaIvey.com

I offer private music lessons that become sacred healing portals in my home recording studio, The Recording Womb: calendly.com/melissaivey_musicaldoula
I’m moving into my role as peer recovery coach and have 11 years of sobriety from alcohol and substance abuse. I’ll be working with individuals and offering to speak with communities large and small: calendly.com/melissaivey_musicaldoula“
A photograph of Melissa Ivey, a taino two spirit wearing a traditional Mexican woven top, with hands over their heart, looking soulfully deep into the camera with a coyote smile.
We greatly appreciate Melissa’s willingness to share these community resources. Interested in one of these opportunities? Learn more at the links above and get updated on Melissa’s current therapeutic offerings on Instagram.

Art-Centered Therapeutic Offerings from Reverend Georgia Reash

“I am a trauma healing artist, Reiki practitioner, and minister who provides workshops, retreats, and trainings to heal and empower. My calling is as a poet, playwright, and creative movement dancer who uses the arts as a way to strengthen emotional resilience, spiritual enrichment, and sensual living among those who have experienced sexual assault and domestic trauma.

I offer a broad range of personal growth workshops, retreats, and trainings that integrate the use of creativity and the arts to reinforce the impact of learning and self expression. My offerings focus on strengthening emotional resilience, the remembrance of self, and connection to the power within. The #53 Vaginas and Vulvas art exhibit features 53 paintings honoring the healing of women survivors.”

Thank you to Reverend Georgia Reash for offering these art-rooted resources. You can learn more at georgiareash.wixsite.com
An image shows information about Georgia Reash's "Self-Confidence Poetic Meditation Spa." The image reads, "Empowerment intention ceremony, poetry writing, reading and sharing, aromatherapy, discussion and guided meditation focused on releasing negative thought patterns and connecting to your inner strength and potential. Book Your Poetic Spa for a Wonderful Home Party! Schedule In Person or Online!
An image shows information about Georgia Reash's "The Total Sensuality Lifestyle." Text on the image reads, "Rekindling and Living the Excitement Within. Includes a reading of Georgia's, 'Yum Yum,' poem. What is Sensual Health? Why does a sensual life lead to an exciting life? When does trauma impact sensual vitality? How is sensuality distorted in our society? In what ways can we follow our excitement? A Monthly Free Gathering. FREE Sessions for Women and Men."
An image shows information about Georgia Reash's "BODY-LOVE Sacred Yoni Painting for Healing and Empowerment." The text reads, "A painting and poetry sharing workshop for SA survivors, advocates, and anyone who cares about healing trauma in communities." A photograph of Georgia Reash sits beside text that says, "Reverend Georgia M. Reash, BSW, Reiki II. Author, Artist, Poet, Trainer, Community Change Agent. Owner, Wealth is Within. Founder, LEAD Vision. In Person or Online Training. Includes canvas, paints, support materials, and follow up recorded meditation. Workshop Agenda and Facilitated Painting. Select Readings from Georgia's new book: 'I Want Good Sex: Reclaiming Your Sensuality After Living with Abuse, Assault or Stupid Meanies.' Sacred Guided Visualization for Community."
An image shows information about Georgia Reash's "Get Your Groove Back" therapeutic offering. The text reads: "Get Your Groove Back. A Creative Blast Poetry Experience Celebrating the Strength of All Trauma Survivors! Reverend Georgia Reash. Featuring Readings from Her NEW Book: 'I Want Good Sex: Reclaiming Your Sensuality After Living with Abuse, Assault or Stupid Meanies.' A Monthly Gathering Event. Followed by an open mic of poetry or your favorite empowering literature. Select paintings from her #53 Vaginas and Vulvas art exhibit will also be on display." The image also shows a photo of Georgia Reash and says, "Donation Requested."
An image features two pictures. One is a photograph of Georgia Reash, and the other is an artwork depicting a vulva in colors of orange, green, pink, black, white, yellow, and blue against a pink background. The text on the image reads, "Fruittie Tutti Flaming Lips, a painting part of the #53 Vaginas and Vulvas Art Exhibit and Community Impact Project," along with information about Georgia Reash: "Reverend Georgia M. Reash. Trauma Healing Artist, Poet, and Place-Maker. President, BrightSpot Communities LLC.