ART FOR THE JOURNEY

We envision a community where artistic expression that heals the body, mind and soul is available to everyone.

We,
ϖ believe that creating art promotes well-being.
ϖ honor the dignity of our "artists".
ϖ cultivate volunteers as the face and hands of our organization. They, too, experience the transformative power of art.
ϖ value the individual and community relationships we build.
ϖ embrace the spirit of generosity.

Art for The Journey works 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 and schools, older adults with dementia and Alzheimer's, veterans with service related disabilities, PTSD/polytruama and the general public through affordable art classes.

We are a community of over 250 artists and volunteers who seek to create supportive and encouraging art-making environments that offer skill-building, joy and the celebration of the human creative spirit. Most of our programs take place in off-site locations accessible to our clients and students, and provide all the supplies and other equipment needed to conduct professional art classes or provide inspiring expressive art experiences.

Art for The Journey is certified in a specially designed and researched national best-practice program for people with demential and Alzheimer's called Opening Minds Through Art (OMA). Developed out of the Scripps Gerontology Center in affiliation with Miami University of Ohio, OMA offers an art based therapeutic intervention for people in assisted living facilities with these diseases that provides for intergenerational engagement and the creating of beautiful abstract art. Art for The Journey is now authorized to train and certify others to facilitate this program. Learn more at www.scrippsoma.org.

Art for The Journey has five full time and four part time staff, 250+ volunteers, with a 2023 operating budget of $749,000. Over 80% of the organization's funding comes from philanthropy, including gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Programs:

-Veterans with PTSD/polytrauma and combat related disabilities - monthly art programs at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Hospital and other locations around Richmond, VA specially adapted for the needs and limitations of disabled veterans. Twice a year, the art created in these programs is on display at the hospital and other accessible locations in Richmond.

-Virginia Department of Corrections Women's Correctional Center in Goochland, VA - weekly art classes for incarcerated women. Our cohort of up to seven artists and volunteers provide personalized instruction and encouragement to the participants. Women are given the opportunity to learn 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. 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 or psychological abuse, many of whom are transitioning from incarceration.

-"Opening Minds Through Art" (OMA) is a program for older adults living either in assisted living or at home suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, progressive, terminal diseases that have no cure or effective treatment. These individuals slowly disappear into their condition, losing touch with the world around them and the ability to engage meaningfully with family members.
Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an approach to people suffering Alzheimer’s and dementia that engages them in an environment where addressing crucial psychological needs is made possible (Sauer P. E., Fopma-Loy, J., Kinney, J., M., & Lokon, E., 2014). OMA is considered a national best practice program designed by Miami University of Ohio’s Scripps Gerontology Institute to enhance the quality of life of institutionalized elders suffering with dementia and the resultant loss of self-expression.
Through person-centered intergenerational engagement designed to provide social and creative expression, elders are provided opportunity to non-verbally communicate through original artistic design, while at the same time young volunteers are provided opportunity to learn the art of generous giving of self and compassion for the frail aged. This program, first implemented at St. Mary's Woods assisted living community in Richmond, VA, is now being made available to nursing homes throughout Virginia, impacting thousands of lives.

-The Carmel School Art Program - is a recreational art program for lower, middle and high school students living in Caroline County, Virginia. This program provides an art-making experience for up to 20 children each week and creates a safe space where each child can explore their creativity in an encouraging and supportive environment.

-Anna Julia Cooper School - is a full art program in which 175 students in the school participate. These students come from one of the most challenging public housing communities in Richmond, VA and are considered at high risk for life problems and failure. Our co-hort of artists and volunteers provide opportunities for skill building and creative art-making that celebrate the gifts of each child and reinforces confidence and positive growth.

-“Fun Fridays” are monthly art programs held in the community for up to 115 middle school and high school students per year from Richmond’s low income neighborhoods and public housing communities through a partnership with the Youth Life Foundation, which provides afterschool programs. The children are bussed to our studio and have the opportunity to make beautiful art and enjoy a lovely open setting very different from their neighborhood environments. The art created is taken home by the children and celebrated with their families.

-Adult Art Classes - are offered by accomplished artists at affordable rates for people interested in learning to paint or who want to simply grow their painting skills.

-Special Art Programs for Medical Students, corporate employees, church groups, Veterans with PTSD and other groups are arranged as requested. These events allow people to create original art under the direction of skilled art instructors. Emphasis is on creating a safe environment that allows participants to explore their creative side and discover the joys of art-making.

In all our programs we seek to both offer skill building and art-making in a community atmosphere that provides encouragement, support and celebration of each other's gifts.