ABOUT ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS HEALING ARTS INITIATIVE
Artistic Expressions Healing Arts Initiative (“Artistic Expressions”) is an arts-based mental health support and healing intervention program created by artist John Sebelius in 2016. This program is an art-based program geared toward special populations of the community including veterans, first responders and others experiencing the effects of trauma. The goal of Artistic Expressions is to help members of our community heal so that they can live happier, healthier lives.
This innovative art program has been taught at West Los Angeles VA Hospital (CA), Osawatomie State Hospital (KS), The Stress Disorder Treatment Program (Colmery-O’Neil VA Hospital, Topeka, KS), Bert Nash Mental Health Center (Lawrence, KS), First Step at Lake View (DCCCA Women Treatment Facility, Lawrence, KS), VFW Post 1650 (Topeka, KS), and Warriors’ Ascent (Kansas City, MO). ArtsConnect has maintained a partnership with Artistic Expressions since 2017.
ArtsConnect recently received an ARPA Funds Grant from the City of Topeka to expand the program, allowing us to offer monthly drop-in Artistic Expressions classes at ArtsConnect for veterans, first responders and other individuals whose lives are being impacted by trauma. Additionally, ArtsConnect will also launch the Artistic Expressions Artist Residency program, which will inspire and empower other trusted community-based artists in Topeka to lead their own arts-based healing initiatives. All programming and training will be offered at no cost to the participants, artists, and host organizations.
ArtsConnect is seeking artists and organizations interested in participating in the Artistic Expressions Artist Residency program. Please click here to apply to participate in the program.
ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS ARTIST RESIDENCY
With funding through the City of Topeka’s ARPA Social Service Grant Program, we will not only be able to offer monthly drop-in sessions of this program, but we will be training artists (Artistic Expressions Artists in Residence) who will offer this program through other Topeka organizations (Artist Residency Sites).
ArtsConnect is currently accepting applications from artists and organizations who are interested in being a part of the 2023 Artistic Expressions Artist Residency Program. If you are who serve veterans, first responders and other populations who have experienced trauma. This will be done by pairing artists with organizations in our community where a 6-month version of the program will be offered, with hopes that these organizations will continue the program into the future.
If you are interested in participating in the program as an organization or as an artist, please complete the form found here.