Creative Healing in Community: Art Workshops for Recovery
At Upward Together, we believe art heals.
In a world where burnout, stress, and isolation run rampant, our art workshops for recovery offer a restorative space to reconnect—with creativity, with each other, and most importantly, with ourselves. Whether you're navigating personal challenges, healing from trauma, or simply seeking a pause from the noise of everyday life, creative expression can be a powerful path to mental wellness.
Our workshops aren’t about being “good” at art. They’re about using artistic tools—paint, markers, fabric, movement—as invitations for emotional release, self-reflection, and community support. Rooted in trauma-informed practices and accessible to all experience levels, these sessions are a soft landing for anyone seeking peace of mind through creativity.
What Happens in an Art Workshop for Recovery?
In each UT session, participants gather around shared tables—like the one in the photo above, where bright red chairs and buckets of markers signal play and possibility. We begin with a grounding ritual, setting intentions and taking a collective breath. Then we dive into hands-on creativity:
Designing affirmation totes or journals
Exploring mindful doodling and color therapy
Creating symbolic vision boards
Expressing emotions through line, shape, and texture
Workshops often close with group reflection or journaling prompts to help participants name what they discovered during their process. Some sessions include soft music, tea, or even a guided meditation to deepen the experience.
Why Art? Why Now?
Creative expression is a scientifically-backed tool for nervous system regulation. According to the American Art Therapy Association, engaging in the arts helps reduce anxiety, improve mood, and support overall mental health. When we create, we activate areas of the brain linked to joy, focus, and emotional release.
Our art workshops for recovery serve people navigating grief, burnout, post-crisis transitions, or those simply needing a reset. We partner with schools, libraries, workplaces, and wellness centers across Los Angeles to bring these healing spaces where they’re needed most.
Who Are These Workshops For?
Everyone is welcome. But our current focus includes:
Teachers and caregivers seeking restorative practices
Social workers and mental health professionals need art-based tools
Communities impacted by trauma or systemic stress
People in sobriety or mental health recovery journeys
No prior art experience required. Just a willingness to explore.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a school administrator, wellness director, or someone on your own healing path, we invite you to experience the magic of art as medicine.
🖌️ Learn more or book a workshop: www.upwardtogether.art/workshops
📍 Partner with us for your next community event or mental wellness series.
🫶 Let's create beauty and resilience—together.
