notes from the publisher/founder
PAMELA HULSE ANDREWS

Art Heals

An expression of what you’re feeling splashed on canvas, sprouting from music, exemplified in dance, sculpted from clay, conveyed in writing or captured in photography can have a powerful healing of troubled emotions and help regain self-esteem and motivation.

The healing potential of art is blatantly underutilized, yet it’s proven to be the saving grace for numerous people facing untold challenges as told in the story in this issue of two young people who have extreme physical limitations and have been assisted by the ability to express themselves through their art.

The move toward art therapy was inspired by Marlene Moore Alexander who created the art program at St. Charles Medical Center and has been helping people for decades gain insights into their healing through art. Benny Alba, an artist living in Oakland, California who is known for creating a spectacular homage to Georgia O’Keefe says: “What purpose is art? Art is a conversation between the viewer and the artist. Art is thought made visible, mostly experienced in the privacy of the viewer’s mind. Art can give a small vacation, somewhere to go that only the viewer can visit...never mind the purpose of art...enjoy the trip!”

In his book Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul Shaun McNiff says that art adapts to every conceivable problem and lends its transformative, insightful and experience-heightening powers to people in need. Indeed, when we tap into our creativity we find new ways of expression that can improve our attitude and give us an outlet to express our frustrations as well as hopes and dreams. Art is seen to have potential for developing self expression, independence, sensory stimulation, motivation and skill developments.

It is reassuring to know that healthcare institutions are accepting art as a powerful method of healing. The therapeutic effects can range from lowering stress levels, to faster recovery times and even reduce the need for pain medications. The process of creating can help all of us, even if we are not facing substantial physical and mental limitations. In today’s crazy, challenging world it is more important than ever to find a way to articulate our emotions and resolve problems.

Whether you create it, buy it, dance or listen to it or just appreciate it, it seems that art in any form comes from the soul and touches our lives at a profound level with a remarkable positive effect. When griping grief the heart doth wound, and doleful dumps the mind oppresses, then music, with her silver sound, with speedy help doth lend redress. ~ William Shakespeare

Publication
Information

Pamela Hulse Andrews
Publisher/Founder

Valerie Clark
Art Director

Linda Galloway
Production Director

Jeff Martin
VP of Sales & Business Development

Kari Pinkerton Silcox
Advertising Executive

Judy Reichman
Advertising Executive

Editorial Advisory Board

Jim Crowell Central Electric Cooperative

Dora Goudy The Museum at Warm Springs

Sandi Landolt Art on the Go

Lloyd McMullen Artist/Artists Local 101

Pam Beezley Sunriver Music Festival

Cate O’Hagan Arts Central

Deanna Paik Deschutes Gallery

Julia Rickards Clearwater Gallery

Maralyn Thoma Dougherty
2nd Street Theater