We bring art and hope to women recovering from addiction disorder, physical abuse, sexual abuse and PTSD.
Art for The Journey is a Richmond, VA based nonprofit organization that transforms lives through art and community, with a special focus on overcoming barriers for those who do not have access to such experiences.
Our artists and volunteers work to overcome the barriers that keep special populations from experiencing the emotional and psychological benefits of art-making. We bring art classes to women in prison, low-income frail elderly, at-risk children from inner city public housing communities, people with dementia and Alzheimer's, people with serious mental illness, veterans with PTSD, and additionally for the general public through affordable art classes.
“If it were not for this art class, which is my Zen, I truly could not survive here.” Incarcerated mother whose son just died of injuries sustained in an accident.
At the Virginia Department of Corrections Women's Correctional Center in Goochland, VA we provide weekly art classes for up to 34 incarcerated women per year. Our cohort of up to seven artists and volunteers provide personalized instruction and encouragement to the participants. Women are given the opportunity to learn painting in oil, acrylic and watercolor and produce framable pieces of art as gifts to loved ones. We seek to create an atmosphere that uses art-making to bring a measure of perspective, peace and enjoyment to the challenging lives of these women. Most participants have histories of physical, sexual and psychological abuse and drug addiction. Participation in these classes lends itself to preparing them to reenter society better prepared to succeed.
This is a one of a kind project that takes art-making into the prison setting and creates a safe space for participants to express themselves in color and form and to learn skills they can take with them for the rest of their lives.
In addition, we provide bi-weekly expressive art experiences for women in recovery through LightHouseRVA, a support program for women recovering from addiction and trauma related to physical, sexual and psychological abuse, including women who are transitioning from incarceration.
We are raising $10,000 to help sustain this program through 2022.
