Healing Through Art: Validating Art-based Practices to Establish and Maintain

Abstract

This study explores the value of incorporating art-based practices to promote and maintain mental health and well-being as a life-skill fostering self-care for individuals. The study considers traditional practices of art as therapy and therapeutic practice. An overview of four international artist reflects on their account of personal healing through their art. Six multidisciplinary artist case studies document first-person stories using their art-based practices on their healing journeys. Through autoethnography, the author shares how her own art-base practice has mitigated experiences of trauma and crisis. An art exhibition designed as an artist studio provided a unique opportunity for visitors to explore self-care through the creative process. The author shares her experiences as she participated in current programs that focus on art for healing. The research suggests a value of incorporating art as part of health education programs in school curricula. The study concluded more research is required to explore how the mental health and well-being benefits of art as a life-skill are promoted as part of self-care.