(MONROE, Louisiana) – Northeast Delta Human Services Authority is hosting its annual Art is Therapy Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Monroe Downtown River Market.
Pre-festival activities will include free yoga with Stretch & Vibe beginning at 10 a.m.
The festival helps promote the agency’s adoption of art as one of its integrated health care, evidence-based prevention, communications and treatment strategies to help serve and educate the community and individuals with co-occurring disorders and developmental disabilities.
NEDHSA is using “Art As Medicine” to explore new methods of healing through the exploration of artistic expression. Creating art and viewing it are methods that can provide “medicine” for the spirit. The festival will bring communities together and give space for personal expression through all the artistic and creative activities.
“We believe there is medicine in creative expression and the arts can help a person come alive in ways traditional treatment options can’t,” NEDHSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A. 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.”
The free festival will include music by The Melters, line dancing, art vendors, art activities such as painting and crafts, yoga, health fair, food trucks, karaoke and more.
“We must do different things to educate, engage and inspire the public. We’re helping people in our region to understand addiction and mental health issues with this innovative prevention approach,” Dr. Sizer said. “We want them to understand that all people have value and potential.”
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For more information about this campaign, contact Sherry P. Shephard at (318)237-9973 or email sherry.shephard@la.gov.
