Coral Springs Museum of Art Launches Innovative Art Therapy for Veterans and Teens

The Coral Springs Museum of Art is introducing a series of Art Therapy sessions designed specifically for veterans and teens. This initiative aims to create a supportive atmosphere conducive to emotional healing and stress relief. Scheduled to run on select Fridays until March 2026, the program offers participants an opportunity to engage with art as a therapeutic outlet.

Facilitated by Board Certified Art Therapist Alicia Ballestas, the sessions are structured to address the unique challenges faced by individuals in these groups. Ballestas emphasizes that while traditional therapy relies on verbal communication, art provides an alternative means of expression. “While a mental health therapist will use words with a patient to express thoughts and emotions, here we are using the process of making art,” she stated. This approach acknowledges that not everyone finds it easy to articulate their feelings verbally.

The sessions will typically commence with a casual check-in, allowing participants to express how they are feeling. Following this, a variety of activities tailored to each individual’s emotional state will be introduced. These include drawing meditations and breathing exercises, which aim to enhance both the artistic experience and the sense of community among attendees. Ballestas hopes participants will leave the sessions with a renewed belief in their creativity and an improved ability to engage with their lives.

Museum Director Juliana Forero has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to fruition. She expressed pride in the museum’s commitment to promoting mental wellness through art. “The simple act of looking at art has been proven to support health and emotional wellbeing,” Forero noted. This program reflects the museum’s broader mission to serve as a resource for the community.

Art therapy sessions for veterans will be held bi-monthly at no cost, while sessions for teens will take place monthly with a nominal fee of $5. Interested individuals can find further details and registration links on the museum’s website.

Upcoming sessions for veterans are scheduled for the first and third Fridays of each month, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Notable dates include December 5, December 19, January 2, January 16, February 6, February 20, and March 6 and March 20. Teens can participate on the third Friday of each month from 3:30 to 5 p.m., with sessions set for December 19, January 16, February 20, and March 20.

As the Coral Springs Museum of Art embarks on this transformative journey, it stands as a beacon for those seeking solace and connection through creativity.