Art HOPE Creativity Project
youth arts programs
Art HOPE Sea Water Studio on Ogunquit Beach
Creativity Retreats
at Waterfall Arts
Simple Watercolors
at the Cancer Community Center
Arts in Healthcare Programs Art HOPE, Artist-in-residence
Art HOPE is a Maine-based, non-profit community organization dedicated to promoting health and well being through the expressive arts for those living with cancer or other chronic illness, and the community at large. Founder and artist-in-residence Laura Jaquays first created the program in 2004 through her work as an expressive arts practitioner in healthcare. Art HOPE activities have evolved to include schools, arts groups, and diverse participants from around the state, comprised of cancer survivors, youth volunteers, interns, educators, healthcare providers, artists, and community members. Art HOPE’s free creativity workshops are held at educational, arts, and healthcare venues, and seasonally outdoors at scenic natural locations in Maine.
Programs are based on the simple idea that daily creative activity can enhance health and well being, celebrate living, and in many enjoyable ways inspire healing opportunities for people everyday. Some of the wellness benefits of everyday creativity include stress reduction and relaxation, improved immune system function, positive self-expression, learning new skills, and building connections within community. Workshop activities utilize basic art mediums, such as watercolors and origami, and offer a group experience for creating art and engaging in a conversation about creative living. Art HOPE is endeavoring to build an interactive website for expanding the expressive arts experience, bringing it to the world community. The site will feature the “Art HOPE Community Journal” blog and “Art HOPE Gallery", and will be a portal for expressing ideas about creativity and sharing original works of visual art, narrative, and music.
Art HOPE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is supported by grants, charitable donations, program collaborators, and community volunteers.
copyright all rights reserved © 2012
“The Teacher”
painted by a 92 year old Alzhiemer’s program participant.
photo by Lorna Crichton
Laura Jaquays, Art HOPE Founder & Artist-in-Residence
