Art Heals began as an trail program to use art as therapy at Border Region Behavioral Health Center in 2008 lead by Paty Orduna. The objective of the class was to promote well-being and emotional healing through art and expression without expectations of production. Due to the nature of the program, the state and federally funded organization could not allocate funds for this program and it was ne
cessary to seek help from the community, and the community responded. Numerous organizations as well as private donors believed in the program and it became well-established as the Shira DeLlano Art-in-Health Program. Proceeds for the classes at Border Region are now funded through the annual calendar sale, October Art Exhibition during Mental Illness Awareness Week, hand-painted yute bag fundraiser, and community donations. Since it's initiation, it has grown to service many more consumers under Border Region's care as well as around the community. There are 3 adult classes and 5 Children's classes for regular and critical cases at Border Region. Art Heals also provides services at the Children Advocacy Center twice a week as well as summer intensive camps, at the Webb County Detention Center, and most recently with the Stroke Survivors group. The driving force of this project is to use art as a form of expression and communication when words are not enough. Participants are taught not only about the principles of art and design which are the core to the fine arts, but how to use color, line, shape, intensity and proportion as a form of emotional connection in order to heal from past trauma and current tribulations. The therapy itself comes from engaging the creative left mode in the brain.
