With second rounds of midterms kicking in, we were happy to destress with UCLArt and Healing’s Colors and Connection program. We had Heidi Parker, one of the Community Initiatives Manager, join us through Zoom for a hybrid experience.
She first went through UCLArt and Healing’s background and mission. This organization seeks to transform lives through creative expression by integrating the innate benefits of the arts with mental health practices for self-discovery, connection, and empowerment. They lead a multitude of programs in areas such as professional development, community services, and experimental presentations to diverse audiences.
We specifically went through the Colors and Connection program, which brought together the power of artmaking and conversation to address the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. This program had been developed during the pandemic and has been initiated on college campuses across the country.
Heidi first asked us to translate certain emotions, positive and negative, to colors. When we shared as a group, it was interesting to see the similarities and differences between the colors we chose. We then went through an activity in which we were asked to separate a piece of paper into four and draw a person, place, experience, and our future in each square. This was a very introspective experience that let us think about our past, present, and future. Overall, this workshop allowed us to translate our emotions into colors and art, relieving us from some of the stress and uncertainties we may have experienced throughout the quarter.
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