ArtServe President and CEO Jaye Abbate with Marketing and Public Relations Director Christine Walker of Holy Cross Hospital, the presenting sponsor of “REFLECT: Healing Through Art”
ArtServe’s “REFLECT: Healing Through Art” exhibition, presented by Holy Cross Hospital, brought together artists from seven local nonprofit organizations for a showcase demonstrating the power of art as healing therapy.
“This exhibition has become one of our most popular this year,” said ArtServe President and CEO Jaye Abbate. “Several pieces were purchased online before the show opened. During the gallery reception, there was an additional spike in sales. It’s always our goal at ArtServe to provide a platform for emerging artists to gain more exposure in the community and turn their art into successful businesses. But with such a poignant theme for this display, we are especially honored to spotlight artists who have used their talents to overcome personal obstacles and find peace, power and purpose through their artwork.”
Local nonprofit organizations that participated and collaborated with the “REFLECT” exhibition included:
•Artists with Autism, which provides self-employment opportunities and training for aspiring artists with autism to become self-sufficient, independent entrepreneurs;
•ArtStART, a professional development program that helps teen artists accrue real world experience by showcasing their talents in two professional exhibitions, teaching them how to create and present art and curate an exhibit with multiple artists;
•Children of the Modern Family presented by Dr. Wilma Bulkin Siegel, which enables children of modern families including LGBT couples, interracial couples, single parents and more to create art that tells their unique story;
•Feeding South Florida, which held a student art contest to raise awareness about the summer hunger epidemic families face when children receiving food assistance at school miss meals during summer vacation;
•Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club, whose volunteers made unique gifts for children at Jack and Jill Nursery to give to their mothers on Mother’s Day and created hand-made Mother’s Day cards for REFLECT attendees to sign and send to South Florida mothers serving in the military;
•Rebel’s Drop-In Center, which offers free mental health support services to those suffering from mental illness or substance abuse issues, giving them artistic outlets, a sense of community and a positive environment on their path to recovery;
•and South Florida Wellness Network, which provided students in an addiction recovery program a platform to channel energy and creativity, gain confidence, learn discipline and have an avenue for personal expression through “The Lens of Empowerment” art program.
Dr. Patrick Taylor, president and CEO of Holy Cross Hospital, added, “We are proud to partner with ArtServe and sponsor an exhibition that mirrors the mission of Holy Cross – supporting the overall emotional, mental and physical health of our community.”
