Art As Medicine

Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) has adopted arts as one of its integrated health care, evidence-based prevention, communications, and treatment strategies to help serve persons with mental health, addictive disorders, and developmental disabilities.

NEDHSA is using “Art As Medicine” to explore new methods of healing through the exploration of artistic expression. Both creating art and viewing it are methods that can provide “medicine” for the spirit.

There is a new and profound energy swirling in Louisiana’s Delta. There is a sense of artistic revival happening. There is also a feeling of unlimited economic possibilities in the air.

Being a catalyst is more than words. Being a catalyst means implementing strategies that resonate with vulnerable people and communities. In our case, it means seeing improved regional population health outcomes, unleashed artistic expression, and economic opportunities for all.

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NEDHSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A Sizer said the agency “intends to help make Northeast Louisiana a regional creative hub, a preferred destination that will generate much-needed regional economic development, diversity, job creation, and more.”

“We believe there is medicine in creative expression, and the arts can help a person come alive in ways traditional treatment options can’t,” Dr. Sizer said. “We intend to help create an environment where dreams are realized, families are strong, bodies are healthy, community institutions are thriving, and spirits are renewed.”

According to the Americans for the Arts, 69 percent of the United States population believe the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences,” 73 percent feel the arts give them “pure pleasure to experience and participate in,” and 81 percent say the arts are a “positive experience in a troubled world.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Art as Medicine initiative?

Art as Medicine is an innovative program by Northeast Delta Human Services Authority that uses creative expression—such as visual art, performance, and storytelling—as part of an integrated approach to mental health, addiction recovery, and overall well-being. It complements traditional care by engaging the mind, body, and spirit.

How does art function as “medicine”?

Art can support healing by helping individuals express emotions, process trauma, and connect with others. Both creating and experiencing art can improve mental and emotional health, offering benefits that traditional treatment alone may not always provide.

Who does this program serve?

The initiative supports individuals and communities affected by:

Mental health challenges
Substance use disorders
Developmental disabilities

It is designed to reach vulnerable and underserved populations across Northeast Louisiana.

What types of programs or activities are included?

Art as Medicine includes a variety of creative and community-based efforts, such as:

Public art installations and murals
Art exhibitions focused on mental health themes
Performances and storytelling (e.g., psychodramas)
Youth engagement and prevention programs
Collaborations with local artists and organizations

How does this initiative help reduce stigma around mental health and addiction?

By using art to tell real stories and reflect lived experiences, the program opens conversations about mental health and addiction in a more approachable and human way. Public exhibits and community art projects help normalize seeking help and encourage understanding.

Who are the artists involved?

The initiative features regional artists from diverse backgrounds, including painters, illustrators, performers, and multimedia creators. Many artists incorporate personal experiences with mental health and identity into their work, making the message more authentic and impactful.

How are artists selected or supported?

Artists are often engaged through partnerships and open calls in collaboration with organizations like the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council and the Downtown Arts Alliance. These partnerships help nurture local talent and expand opportunities for creatives.

What is the goal of the Art as Medicine initiative?

The initiative aims to:

Improve regional mental health outcomes
Reduce stigma around behavioral health issues
Strengthen communities through creative engagement
Promote economic development by supporting the arts

It also seeks to position Northeast Louisiana as a regional creative hub.

How can I get involved?

You can get involved by:

Attending exhibitions and community events
Following updates on social media
Participating in programs or workshops
Applying as an artist or partner organization

How can I access services or support?

If you or someone you know needs help, Northeast Delta Human Services Authority provides access to mental health and substance use services, including 24/7 support resources.

Why combine art and healthcare?

Research and practice show that creative expression can deepen engagement, improve emotional well-being, and help people connect with difficult topics. Art provides a powerful bridge between clinical care and community experience.

About The Artists

JaCera François is a Monroe, La. native, graduating in 2019 obtaining her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Ga. She is currently an emerging artist that is working to expand her profession and experience throughout her community by participating in many leadership opportunities with her home church, The Lighthouse, and with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. She also volunteers with the Black Creatives Circle, being chosen as one of the talented artist to create a downtown mural which is her first public work of art. She is also a first-year Talented Art Teacher with Ouachita Parish School System with the goal to encourage her students to enjoy the arts more than when they started the school year and create to their fullest ability. She is the owner and Founder of her own business Art by François, established in 2016, that represents her works of fine art and digital designs. Her focus is figurative and abstract visual art using the mediums of oil and acrylic paints. She also expands her creativity with other media platforms by producing digital art and designs. She strives to make definitive works of art by telling narratives that share her faith, emotions, and experiences to be encouraging, uplifting, and powerful to anyone who views.

Keagan Vaughan is a nonbinary artist from Monroe, Louisiana who makes autobiographical art about mental health and Identity. Vaughan received their Bachelors of Fine arts degree at the University of Louisiana Monroe in 2020 and has been teaching art at Sallie Humble Elementary ever since. Passionate about cultivating art in the community, Vaughan has worked on many murals and public art projects, including the regional Herons on the Bayou project.

Rachel Madden is a native of West Monroe, La and currently resides there with her husband and four children. While owning and running her small business and raising her family, she enjoys taking time for her art and usually paints intuitively with most of her work done in acrylic. The passion for art has always been present for Rachel but, painting is a newfound love. It is a way to express her mental health and she quickly found taking to the canvas offered her a peace she had yet to attain from anything else. She believes most of all, that art will always make us feel deeper than anything else. Perhaps that is because we can interpret art to be anything we need it to be.

A native of Monroe, Georgia, Rodrecas Davis is a 2006 graduate of the University of Georgia Fine Arts program – with an emphasis on drawing and painting. Primarily a mixed media artist, Davis is also a former columnist for the Athens Banner-Herald and Code Z Online: Black Visual Culture Now. Davis has presented papers at several academic conferences, including the HUIC Conference (Hawaii University International Conferences) Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, for which he discussed manifestations of Hip-Hop culture in the visual arts. His work has been featured in the Politics Issue of Callaloo: A Journal of African Diaspora Arts and Letters, ColorLines, and over sixty exhibitions. Mr. Davis is a Professor, and Head of the Department of Visual & Performing Arts at Grambling State University, in Grambling Louisiana. He most recently served as juror of the 77th Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition, at the Swope Art Museum (IN).

Shiketra May White is a native of Epps, Louisiana who now resides in West Monroe, Louisiana. She is graduate of Liberty University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and an Associates in Business. A US Army Veteran and advocate. Shiketra, is an artist of many talents. She is a business owner (Kween Kreations), Barber stylist, minister, author and motivational speaker. She originally started in the arts as therapy. Spoken word which was her first love, turned into production of her first book, The Foundation of Her Heart. After battling a bad depression from covid, she then turned to visual arts as a form of coping. From there visual arts has become a way of expression, therapy and encouragement.

Inique Harris is an illustrator, painter, crochet enthusiast, and multi-media artist based in Monroe, Louisiana. She has a passion for creating art that explores nature, color, and characters. Though these concepts she tries to express her feelings of joy, wandering, and sadness in a way that is bright and digestible.

About the Collection

Press Releases

Stay informed with the latest announcements from our Art as Medicine initiative and Art is Therapy Festival.

Art as Medicine Initiative Overview

Learn how creative expression is transforming behavioral health across Northeast Louisiana.

Art Initiative Press Release

Official announcement outlining the launch and vision of the Art as Medicine program.

View PDF

Integrated Care Partnership Announcement

Expanding impact through collaboration with regional arts and community organizations.

Artist Call Press Release

Inviting local creatives to participate in shaping the Art as Medicine movement.

Union Museum Exhibition

Showcasing powerful works exploring mental health, recovery, and resilience.

Art is Therapy Festival

A community-centered festival celebrating healing through art and connection.

Learn More

NEDHSA & the Northeast Louisiana Music Awards

Celebrating Creativity Across Northeast Louisiana

As part of the Art as Medicine initiative, NEDHSA is proud to serve as the title sponsor of the Northeast Louisiana Music Awards—a regional celebration recognizing the artists and musicians helping shape the culture of our communities.

Music is a powerful form of expression that builds connection, strengthens community, and supports emotional wellness. Through this partnership, NEDHSA is proud to celebrate creative talent while highlighting the important role the arts play in healing and overall well-being.

This effort also supports the development of a regional arts economic ecosystem that strengthens creative industries, expands opportunities for local artists, and contributes to long-term cultural and economic growth across Northeast Louisiana.

By supporting NELA Music, NEDHSA continues its commitment to uplifting local voices, encouraging creative expression, and investing in a stronger, healthier Northeast Louisiana.

Psychodramas

Through powerful storytelling and performance, our psychodramas raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and promote healing.

January 2023

Sour Grapes

Focuses on dealing with tragedy while exploring themes of faith and divine grace.

November 2023

Under Construction

Explores the roadblocks and distractions of addiction and the journey toward recovery.

2022

Alky & Users

A youth-focused production addressing substance use and peer pressure.

2019

Addict

Highlights the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse on individuals and families.