Art is Healing

Aug 20, 2020

For hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years, artists have used their art to express human despair, find meaning in life and transcend their own emotional struggles. Even the most world-renowned artists have found relief from fears, anxiety, depression and found a new meaning in life through their artistic expression. Twentieth-century realist painter and printmaker, Edward Hopper, stated, “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” Seattle artist and writer, Jaeda DeWalt encapsulates the value of healing artwork, “My art is largely made up of my pain; re-framed, redesigned and repurposed. It is a mutually beneficial experience for both the creator and the beholder. Transformative healing is a beautiful process.” Creating artwork following a great loss can be therapeutic, helping to release pain, stress, and express emotions. When words become difficult to form in communicating the deep indescribable emotions, art can help you understand yourself better and help bring closure to grief.

“If Walls Could Talk”

An emotionally powerful room at Cork’s Place utilizing free form paint. 17 years of grief and healing splattered on the walls and ceiling.

At Chaplaincy Cork’s Place, we know that there are times when grief has no words, especially for children and teens who may not know how to express the sadness and loss they are feeling. Cork’s Place, the only grief support facility in the Tri-City community specifically designed for children and teens, ages 3-17, offers a safe space to explore feelings of grief and loss in a variety of ways – and paint is a popular medium for many of them.

The annual HeART of Healing benefit for Cork’s Place features original artwork created by local children and teens, who have chosen to express or demonstrate what grief, loss and healing means to them. By participating in the event, you will witness not only the pain but also the healing journey of grief through the eyes of a child. Unique and one-of-a-kind art pieces created by Cork’s Place kids will be available for purchase.

Coming together, even when we’re apart

Bid, Buy or Donate during a three-week online auction and fundraising campaign to support services that help families travel a path through their grief toward healing. These services are provided free of charge and are not covered by insurance. Grants, sponsorships, donations, and fundraisers, like Heart of Healing, make these services possible.

With your support, we can make a lasting and life-changing impact on families in our community!

Participate Today

“Picasso 2021”

The left side of the painting is the side of me that I show the world. I used lighter, more realistic colors to show how I try to portray normality. The right side is the side of me that I hide from the world. I used dark gross colors to show how disgusted I felt about this side. You can see that this side is wrapped in vines with thorns. They are starting to climb into the outside me. It gets exhausting to hide mental health struggles from others; sometimes they start to show, to leak through the facade. I’ve realized that mental health can’t always be contained and that is what my Picasso is focusing on this year.

“Picasso 2021” and “If Walls Could Talk” will be available for purchase. Auction opens Monday, May 3 and will conclude Friday, May 21.

For more information, visit: https://chaplaincyhealthcare.org/heart-of-healing/