CAMP PENDLETON — A Laguna Hills-based nonprofit is holding free, therapeutic art workshops for active-duty military.
Art & Creativity for Healing has partnered with the Wounded Warrior Battalion West to hold its Healing for Heroes therapeutic art workshop every Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the battalion’s headquarters on base, 27847 Lakeside Drive, Oceanside.
For the past 20 years, Art & Creativity for Healing has facilitated hundreds of Healing for Heroes workshops at Camp Pendleton. Originally designed for active military personnel and their families, participants are led by a facilitator through a series of prompts as they respond by painting abstractly with acrylic colors on canvas for self- reflection.
“The Art4Healing classes helped me express some things that I didn’t really have words for,” said one active Marine participant, who wished to remain anonymous. “I like the privacy of painting abstractly – it helps me feel free to say what I need to say.”
Another anonymous participant said the workshop “was the best choice I made” after having “one of the worst days.”
A commanding officer for the Wounded Warrior Battalion confirmed the program was valuable for helping Marines to get through grief and other mental health challenges, noting that the program has helped many Marines open up and share their feelings through art when words fail.
“It has truly been an honor to facilitate our Art4Healing® workshops for the Wounded Warrior Battalion West located on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base for the past 20 years,” said Laurie Zagon, founder and director of Art & Creativity for Healing. “These men and women represent the heroes that protect our country.”
Wounded Warriors on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base can enroll in an Art4Healing workshop by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. Families not connected to the Wounded Warrior Battalion West can contact [email protected] for programs and classes held at the organization’s Laguna Hills Studio.
For general information and/or interest in a family workshop email [email protected] or visit art4healing.org.
