The Healing Power of the Arts

by Kim Webb

Three local artists are on a mission to bring awareness about the healing power of the arts. Deborah Millward (Creative Healing), Lauren W (Whimsy Earth) and myself, Kim Webb (Roots and Wings Studios) are part of an artist residency at Sparrow Artspace during the month of May, 2022. Our exhibit called “See me. Hear me.” is a creative collaboration of artists sharing work relating to the CAMH 2022 mental health awareness theme: EMPATHY. Through the gallery, workshops and events, local artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work while bringing awareness about how creativity can help us heal, connect, understand and support each other in challenging times. 

Visitors of the exhibit will be invited to participate in expressive art activities. We hope the show inspires and encourages people to tap into their own creativity. For some of us, our creativity has been nurtured but many people believe they are not creative. We want to bring that belief into question. One challenge we face as art facilitators is convincing people that we are all creative. We all have the ability to use our imaginations to come up with new, different ideas. 

Interesting research from 1968 conducted by George Land and Beth Jarman measured the creativity of adults with a test they devised for NASA to help select innovative engineers and scientists. Only 2% of them scored at the “Genius Level” of creativity. When the same test was given to 5-year-olds, an astonishing 98% of them scored at the “Genius Level.” This tells us that somewhere between 5 and adulthood our creativity is stifled. There are many theories as to why this happens. Perhaps we were told we couldn't sing, draw, write or dance. Perhaps we learned to judge, criticize, compare and build up a fear of failure. It is unfortunate that our ability to use our imagination seems to diminish over time but luckily it is always within us waiting for the opportunity to be released. 

Letting go of the idea we are not creative takes practice and self-compassion but the healing benefits are well worth it. Studies show engagement with creative activities like music, visual arts, movement, and expressive writing helps to decrease anxiety and stress and regulate emotions. It helps us gain a better understanding of ourselves and build a deeper connection to others. We can practice creativity by tapping into our 5-year-old self and letting our imaginations run wild and free without expectation or judgment. 

We hope to see and hear you during the month of May at Sparrow Artspace. We invite you to join us with an open mind and empathic heart. We hope the exhibit brings a sense of connection, an inspiration to create, and an understanding of the healing power of the arts. 

References:

1. The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature By Heather L. Stuckey, DEd and Jeremy Nobel, MD. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/) 

2. Evidence that children become less creative over time (and how to fix it) by Nick Skillicorn. Idea to Value (https://www.ideatovalue.com/crea/nickskillicorn/2016/08/evidence-children-become-less-creative-time-fix/)