“Thriving can be interpreted in a variety of ways but includes ongoing evolution and growth. Thriving is a perpetual journey of reemergence that allows you to venture further into a sense of your authentic well-being. Thriving will appear differently for each person. How do you thrive?”
The opening reception for UCF’s Healing Art Exhibition will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Counseling & Psychological Services offices. Curated by Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) in collaboration with the School of Visual Arts & Design (SVAD), the annual juried exhibit features the work of UCF students, alumni, faculty and staff. The artworks will be on display through November 2019.
The exhibition is designed to generate awareness about counseling and psychological services available at UCF, raise campus-wide inclusivity and promote the influence of the healing power of creativity.
“The Healing Art Exhibition has been present for several years, but more recently returned in celebration of the powerful connection between art and wellness,” said Meredith Malkin, program co-coordinator. “When art and wellness come together, the power of connectivity, creativity and healing is only enhanced.”
The theme for this year’s exhibition is Thriving: Ongoing Evolution and Growth. The selections were juried by a group of professional art educators, university representatives and SVAD alumni and selected on original concept, expressive use of media, artistic excellence and representation of the theme. Of the 29 artists featured in the exhibition, 16 of them are current SVAD students.
“We are pleased to be able to acknowledge, celebrate and publicize the healing power of the arts through this collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services,” said Rudy McDaniel, director of the School of Visual Arts and Design. “The creative process of bringing something new into existence can offer a range of palliative and healing effects for a broad range of scenarios – from simple stress relief to dealing with serious trauma and chronic illnesses and injuries. We are thankful that CAPS exists for students in need of support, and we are happy to partner with them on such a wonderful and worthy cause.”