For some NoVA community members, art workshops where they can express themselves creatively might be just what the doctor ordered. Enter the ARTfactory’s Artful Wellness Series.
This program offers a roster of art workshops, ranging from visual art to theater classes to public speaking sessions, that are all intended to promote health and well-being. Through a partnership between the Manassas-based ARTfactory and UVA Health, these classes are available for free for anyone with a referral from a doctor or otherwise qualified professional, such as a social worker, counselor, or police officer.
The idea for the series arose when Talya Conroy, executive director at the ARTfactory, began in her role two years ago. It was her goal from the beginning to make sure that art would be accessible to all who needed it, and that the community would be able to take advantage of the mental health benefits that can come with practicing art.
“[Art is] not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. … And a major component of art is how it correlates to mental wellness,” Conroy says. “There is a direct correlation between practicing art, reducing anxiety, reducing stress, helping with behavioral issues.”
In the 2024 season, the series’ second year, there are 16 workshops. One ARTfactory class that Conroy points to as a highlight is a drumming class intended to promote relaxation and focus. In it, she says she’s witnessed students begin to open up socially and feel more comfortable throughout the class.
“You’re just creating a rhythm with a group of people, and eventually you’ve created this amazing sound and musicality, but you’ve just been focusing,” she says. “And when you’re drumming, you can’t think of anything else, right? You can’t worry about your stresses or what’s happening on the outside.”
Other offerings include artforms like watercolor and Zentangle, which allow students to immerse themselves in a soothing art practice.
ARTfactory classes are open for kids and adults, with varying minimum ages based on the class. For those without referrals, fees are still less than what a traditional art class would cost. The drumming class, for example, is $10.50, while a swing dance class is $21.
The classes are in high demand, Conroy says, so it’s best to register in advance.
Feature image courtesy ARTfactory
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Family newsletter.
