The Use of Arts for Personal Growth and Community Integration
Sarah Gallant
Recovery Center of
Hamilton County
Reneé Kopache
Mental Health and
Recovery Services Board

 Overview of the Recovery Center & Art Program
 Using Art to facilitate Recovery
 We are the Evidence – Using Art for Personal
Growth and Community Integration Building
Relationships through Art
 Funding and establishing an art program at your center

 Who we are
 How we developed
 Who we serve
 What we do

 Self Help/Peer Support:
– Individualized goal/recovery planning
– Support Groups
– Peer to Peer Classes
– Wellness

 Education/Vocation:
– Computer access and classes
– Educational Skills Development
– Vocational Training and support

 Community Involvement:
– Community Outreach
– Volunteering
– Collaborations

 Level of talent among those with mental illness
 Non-threatening way for people to meet others
 Social Activity that also leads to personal growth

It’s hands on which some people prefer over discussion
 History of consumer art group in Cincinnati

 Designed to meet differing needs and skill sets
 Designed to match individual interest (preferred medium)
 Goal oriented activities
 Members facilitate groups


“Recovery thru Arts” (goals & objectives)
– To foster more of a focus on Recovery through the arts, and appreciation for the role creativity plays in healing.
– To introduce participants to a variety of supplies and how to use and care for them.
– To encourage increased relaxation and the ability to focus.
– To encourage creative self-expression leading to greater self-worth and productivity.
–
To assist in empowering individuals. After 4 years in existence, this group is now member led

Art Program: Class Descriptions Con’t
 Creative Expressions – Goals and Objectives
– To create a space where participants can express their creative spirit and learn new skills.
– To create a space where work on an ongoing project is possible.
– To create opportunities for participants to plan and lead groups, sharing their creative talents and skills with their peers.
– To promote healing, greater insight, self-worth, responsibility, group sharing and productivity through the arts.
–
To create sharing opportunities with fellow artists in the community

Other Creative Groups
 Recovery Quilt – Karen Bryant
 Advanced Creative Writing – Larry Gross
 Scrapbooking – Terry Wood
 Soul Story Collage, Creative Expressions –
Sarah Gallant
 Photoshop Elements – Bill Click

Coming soon…photographer’s club

Three levels of connection lead to recovery:
1.
Connecting self to self. Art…
–
Helps people concentrate/helps reduce symptoms
– Helps people relax
–
Thought process (helps with thinking); Stimulates brain activity
– Put insides outside (objectivity)
–
Self-esteem/self-worth
– Work through complex emotions/releases emotions

Using Art to Facilitate Recovery Con’t
2.
Connecting self to others. Art…
–
Provides Validation
– Helps people establish relationships
–
Increases Awareness of Self and Others
3.
Connecting individuals and group to community
– Universal language
–
Recognition of a larger picture
Special Interests become shared interests


Woven Through All 3 Levels, Art Is…
– A way of reflecting on and recounting where we have been
–
A source of inner wisdom and guidance
–
A means to repair and renew the Self
– Assists in living in the present; a meditation
– Helps Create a Path to the Future

Using Art to Facilitate Recovery Con’t



Sarah’s Recovery Story
Renee’s Recovery Story
Video

 Why build relationships:
– Fight stigma
– Educate
– Generate income/revenue
– Enhance personal growth
– Network with community
- individual members and Recovery Center as an organization

Building Relationships thru Art Con’t
 How to build relationships:
Look through the past…
– Take advantage of relationships that staff/members established prior to the development of the Recovery Center.
– Re-connect people that had been active in past initiatives.
Be active in the present…
– Stay involved, put ourselves out there in various initiatives that fit our mission, that may lead to additional opportunities.
Prepare for the future…
– Recognize the need to change and adapt relationships as the organization and it’s members change

Building Relationships thru Art Con’t
 Recovery Center collaborations:
–
Art for Life
–
Art Beyond Boundaries
–
Southwest Ohio Wellness Initiative
– University of Cincinnati’s Design, Art and Architecture Program (DAAP)
– Occupational Therapy Program at Xavier University
–
Celebration of Hope and Heroes, Partnership for Mental Health
–
Celebrate Creativity Day - Art, Poetry, Music – Community Participation
–
Mental Health Arts Collaborative – Freedom Center, Art Museum,
Photography Project
– Individual Artists – connected to resources

Building Relationships thru Art Con’t
 Benefits from relationships:
– increased access to resources & support
• Access to expertise
• Members access to opportunities in the community
– opportunity to educate community & fight stigma
– recognition
• Name recognition of Center
• Media coverage (center & members)
– additional funding

Building Relationships thru Art Con’t
 Challenges with relationships:
– Limited resources (staffing and funding)
– Competition for limited funds
– Stigma
– Member involvement
• Feeling comfortable in various settings
• Access…often times events are during evening hours
• Time commitment…pulls members from center activities

 Initial Funding
– Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati Grant
– Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
 Sustained Funding
– Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
 Growth
– Generating additional revenue (grants, donations, etc.)

Posters and Greeting Cards
 Generate Revenue for the Recovery Center
 Generate Revenue for Artists
 Provide a way for artists to give back and interact in the community
 Provide an outlet for talents and help persons feel more productive and fulfilled

Posters and Greeting Cards Cont’d
 Christmas Cards for Fundraiser
 2010 Photography Calendar
 Rack of greeting cards regularly for sale in a local restaurant: Parkside Café
 Showing of Posters in another local restaurant:
– Myra’s Dionysus

Sarah Gallant, CPS
Creative Expressions Coordinator sarahsnowowl@gmail.com
Recovery Center of Hamilton County
2340 Auburn Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
(513) 241-1411 www.recoverycenterhc.org
Renee Kopache, M.S., CPRP
Coordinator of Wellness Management reneek@hamilton.mhrsb.state.oh.us