Originally published in 2016. Updated in 2020 and in 2021.
As a child I woke up shivering in my bed on many winter mornings because we couldn’t afford to pay the heating bill. And, when we’d ask Mom, “What’s for dinner?” She would make us laugh by saying, “spaghetti and meat balls — without the meat balls.” And, my father would remind us, no matter how little we had, “there are many others who have less than us.”
Those years were challenging, and I often hid my shame and guilt for feeling a sense of lack. But, in time, I realized my childhood struggles served a greater purpose. They motivated me to become financially self-sufficient. They ignited my empathy for others and to be grateful for every blessing I received. I also learned to adopt the art of gratitude and giving to others through creative expression and compassion.
Every morning, upon awakening, I begin by expressing gratitude for the basic things. Being alive, in good health, sharing my life with loved ones, having heat, food and shelter. I then recite at least 20 gratitude affirmations on a range of topics. Feeling blessed to have a fulfilling life and career I give thanks to having the desire and opportunity to help others. I pause and think about those who have few, if any, of their basic needs met.
As Marcus Aurelius said, “What a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
Giving Thanks to Altruistic Individuals
I am also grateful for the many selfless individuals who strive to bring peace, solace, healing, and service to others. In this article I have collected several people and organizations that I am grateful for and a few positive quotations.
Art and Healing Organizations That Serve Others
There are thousands of children and adults around the world suffering from poverty, illness, addiction, bereavement, trauma, and loss. There are also thousands of leaders and volunteers of art and healing organizations that start their days focused on providing services to others.
Organizations that bring love, compassion and healing to others are to be respected and honored. They offer programs that incorporate art and artists’ skills. You’ll find opportunities through them to share your gratitude and giving through creative expression.
Words of truth… “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Free Arts “Connecting through the Healing Power of Art”
Free Arts for Abused Children was born out of the determination of two women who understood and appreciated the inherent therapeutic value of the arts: Carolyn Sargent, a woman who, as a child, used art to emerge from the sadness and isolation of hearing loss, and Elda Unger, an artist and aspiring art therapist. They recognized the need for children in foster care to have meaningful engagement with the arts. Through the organization originally founded in 1977 as Free Arts Clinic, Carolyn and Elda gave the gift of creative self-expression to children in need of positive outlets for their experiences.
The vision of Free Arts is “a society of individuals from different communities, cultures and life experiences connecting through the healing power of art to interrupt the cycle of violence, create understanding, build self-esteem and nurture better lives.”
The mission of Free Arts programs is “to inspire hope in the lives of children who have experienced abuse, neglect, poverty and homelessness through innovative creative arts programs and positive interactions with caring adult volunteers.”
Visit the Free Arts website to learn more about it.
Wise words of Etienne de Grellet ~ “I shall pass through this life but once. Any good therefore that I can do, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it.”
Art with Heart “Their Hearts Can Mend”
The mission of Art with Heart, based in Seattle, WA, is to help children overcome trauma through creative expression. The nonprofit, launched in 2002, is dedicated to supporting the emotional well-being of children adversely affected by hardship, using creativity to lead to inspired possibilities. Art with Heart offers evidence-based, healing, therapeutic books and programs “that bring together the best in therapy with the best in illustration to help children and teens facing distress and hardship.”
The organization’s well-researched methods “allow children to express their pain and their power so they can move beyond hardship and uncertainty to a lifetime of confidence and courage, so they can re-write their future.”
Art with Heart explains, “We believe that despite the many challenges children and teens face – illness, rape, divorce, separation, grief – their hearts can mend and they can thrive once again.”
Visit the Art with Heart website to learn more.
So true… “Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced & discharged & used up in order to exist at all.” ~ William Faulkner
Art to Change The World
Art to Change the World (ACW) is a non-profit, diverse coalition of artists, educators, scientists, topic experts, and other change makers who join forces in service of positive social change. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, “We employ the arts, education, audience engagement, and organizational partnerships to invoke positive discussion, reflection, and action.”
One of the goals of ACW is to provide compensation for people who participate in ACW events. It states, “Historically, artists often pay for all associated costs for exhibitions. According to several studies, over ninety percent of artists work at day jobs. This is inherently unjust and diminishes the potential message. Grants and contributions will right this wrong.”
Visit the Art to Change the World website to learn more.
Let’s embrace these words… “To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” ~ Confucius
Artists For Trauma “Where Recovery Is An Art”
AFT is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded by trauma survivor Laura Sharpe in 2011. Her personal journey to recovery inspired her to launch it, in which she connected with the world of art as a source of healing from her near-mortal wounds. AFT is dedicated “to enriching the lives of both civilian and military trauma survivors by pairing recovering patients with established artists from various disciplines.”
“Trauma is the #1 cause of death for Americans between 1 and 44 years old. Each year, trauma accounts for 41 million ER visits and 2 million hospital admissions.” ~ AFT
AFT reveals and shares the blueprint of Sharpe’s astonishing recovery to help other Level 1 trauma survivors positively reconnect with themselves, their families and their communities. The mission of the organization is “to expedite recovery through artistic expression and human connection, providing a creative portal to help patients process complex emotions, regain confidence and build self-acceptance after suffering a traumatic experience.” They offer “FUN, adaptive, artistic platforms designed to provide free of charge, evidence-based, interactive, healing programs.”
AFT partners with other nonprofits, trauma hospitals, businesses, post acute rehabilitation facilities, military resource organizations, community based trauma support centers and support groups, individual trauma survivors, and local to internationally established artists “to best provide AFT’s adaptive, empowering and creative, healing environments.”
Visit the AFT website to learn how to help.
Simple and true… “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” ~ Arthur Ashe
Arts At Hospice “Creativity is an Eternal Element”
Arts At Hospice is a 501c3 non profit that cites: “Creativity is an eternal element, born of the moment, but intangible and lasting, a fundamental life force. Exposing patients and families to the arts and encouraging creativity embraces the eternal at a point when life might otherwise seem frighteningly finite. Our mission is to inspire you to help patients to engage in artistic endeavors.”
One of the artists who participates in Arts At Hospice is Diane Bilal, who specializes in pastel, pencil, and watercolor portraiture. She states, “I draw portraits because it seems to have a healing effect on people.” She also does floral painting and facilitates art projects relating to family trees and genealogies. Diane also offers soothing flute music. Jon Moscartolo is another artist participant, who explains, “I volunteer because I believe art is an incredible healer.” He presents a workshop for adults and children who visit their loved ones at hospice.
Arts At Hospice exclaims, “Any artist who has volunteered at hospice has been overwhelmed by the appreciation from patients and families. Those who volunteer their services experience deep personal rewards.”
Visit the Arts At Hospice website for more information and suggestions on how you can help.
Words to live by… “There are only two ways to live your life. One as though everything is a miracle. The other is as though nothing is.” ~ Albert Einstein
Art For Healing Foundation
The Art for Healing Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring the healing power of art to hospitals and wellness facilities, transforming otherwise sterile public and patient areas into inspiring environments that encourage a sense of serenity and hope for patients, their families, and healthcare providers.
Since 2002, the Foundation has installed over 12,000 works of art in 83 healthcare institutions in Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Paris France.
Visit the Art for Healing Foundation website for more information.
A wonderful motto! “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi
You Can Share Your Compassion and Creative Skills
Start where you can and become part of positive change. Contact an organization and you’ll quickly find out how your compassion and creative skills can make a profound impact on another human being. You can also help by telling others about the many altruistic programs like the ones mentioned here, and you can make a donation to help them continue their mission.
Many organizations also accept works of art for display in hospitals and community venues and/or for their fundraising efforts.
A wise reminder… “If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”
~ W. Clement Stone
Grateful for The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS
In addition to being the founder/director of Manhattan Arts International, one of my proudest achievements is creating a website The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, with an online art gallery, articles about art and healing, world changers, and nonprofit art programs that are truly living in serving others, for whom we can be grateful. I also curate many positive, life-affirming online exhibitions. The exhibitions bring together artists from around the world who share my belief that art has the ability to heal the creator as well as viewers.
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Thank you very much Renee. You so poignantly say how crucial art is to society. I started painting when I retired about 10 years ago after a varied teaching career. I soon discovered that teaching and art go hand in hand: because both require using the most appropriate means to convey an idea. So many schools and facilities have all but eliminated art classes because of funding cutbacks that I began to use my art and teaching skills at a senior center where the clients can paint freely and lose themselves for a short while in the movement of paint. And I open my studio to children to dabble in the pleasure of art materials. There is something inherently rewarding for a child to hang their art on a refrigerator. These are two more avenues for artists to reach their community.
I have also noticed that donating my art is an extremely bountiful gift to me personally and to the receiver.. That grand moment when someone unexpectedly receives a gift of your art followed by the deep smile that crosses their face is worth every art failure I have.
Thank you Barbara for sharing your acts of kindness and spirit of generosity. I’m sure your comment with inspire many others to follow your footsteps.
Thank you all for your comments. It’s a good time to share light and hope. There are so many extraordinary people who are altruistic and make this world a better place. And, we can view our challenges as lessons to that will make us stronger and more conscious in our spiritual growth..
Your life is an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your strength and courage. Take care and stay well. Aloha.
Renee, I was touched by your early years and how you thrived despite an emotional beginning. The article was beautiful and informative. These are very special people and they deserve to be recognized . I am humbled😘
Renee – I am grateful to have stumbled onto your site. The articles are very encouraging and beneficial. I am already passing them on to art friends. It was especially moving to read the article by Laura den Hertog about the gallery for the homeless shelter residents. Powerful. It is truly amazing to see caring, creative people be so involved with their communities – art brings so much transformation. I have had the privilege of offering art in a women’s prison. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Thank you for all you are doing to encourage the healing power of art and artists. Carol Maher
Hi Carol, I’m delighted that you found me and thank you for sharing our articles with your friends. Offering art in a women’s prison is a wonderful way to share your talent. From what I see on your beautiful website you have a lot to offer to those in need. You may want to visit our other website The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS. All the best, Renee
Thank you Renee,
This is such an inspiring article on the many ways artists and art can help heal and soothe those in need.
This year I had the opportunity to participate in an amazing program. I have to tell you, it was the single most important thing I did with my art…ever. There is a large homeless shelter in downtown Montreal, Canada, that has reserved the walls of the men’s cafeteria for a rotating art exhibition. I was lucky to meet one of the curators and leapt at the chance to participate. Artists are asked to loan their work for a six week period. The space is not open to the public, the show exists for the pleasure of the homeless.
Isn’t that just the best idea? The day I hung my paintings many of the guys who happened to be in the space wanted to talk to me. They all wanted to thank me and talk about what they liked about my paintings. Many said the paintings took them out of the dirty city and into the fresh air of the countryside. This outpouring of enthusiasm and gratitude touched me so deeply, I struggled to hold back tears.
There was another side effect of doing this show….huge creative breakthroughs! Doing your creative thing without any consideration whatsoever for monetary gain, and for the sole purpose of delighting your audience changes everything. Putting aside my tired old paths of creativity brought about new insights and ideas and a much more authentic approach to art. Talk about a silver lining!
Imagine if every homeless shelter had a program like this.
Kudos to you Laura!
I can see how your art resonates with so many different people. You’re an extremely talented artist. I encourage you to continue following your instincts, creative passion and pursue sharing your art everywhere. Your art has the power to change other people’s negative states of isolation and depression into hope and a sense of belonging.
Thank you very much for sharing your inspirational experience. I hope artists follow your lead.
And, please consider entering your art next year in the Manhattan Arts International “The Healing Power of ART” juried exhibition.
Best regards,
Renee
Thanks to you Renee for sharing these words — a touching and powerful reminder at this season of Thanksgiving.